Background: Many studies have evaluated glycolic acid peel in acne vulgaris, however, little in literature about the use of salicylic -mandelic acid peel. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of combination of 20% salicylic–10% mandelic acid peel (SMP) to 35% glycolic acid peel (GAP) in the treatment of active acne vulgaris, post-acne scarring and associated hyperpigmentation in Egyptian acne patients. Patients and methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients with facial acne vulgaris divided randomly into group A (n =20) which was treated by SMP and group B (n=20) which was treated by GAP for seven sessions every 2 weeks and followed up for 2 months (week 20). Objective assessment of the treatment outcomes was made by the treating physicians while subjective assessment was made by 2 independent dermatologists. Patient satisfaction scores and side effects were also assessed. Results: The percentages of improvement in group A and B from week 0 to week 20 were 90.2% and 35.87% in comedones, 81.72% and 77.78% in papules, 85.38 % and 75.65% in pustules, 85.29 % and 68.50% in the total acne score, 66.13% and 46.88% in post-acne hyperpigmentation, 17.85% and 11.9% in icepick scars and 29.3% and 25.8% in boxcar scars respectively. Both peeling agents were associated with burning sensation, dryness, desquamation and acne flare. Conclusion: Both peeling agents were effective in treatment of inflammatory, non-inflammatory acne and post acne hyperpigmentation. However, SMP proved to have higher efficacy than the more commonly used GAP. |
