Efficacy of Oxybrasion in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Report

Split-face evaluation: Gluconolactone plus oxybrasion versus gluconolactone plus microneedling. The effects on skin parameters

BACKGROUND

The application of polyhydroxy acids and alpha-hydroxy acids to the skin is often used in cosmetology. To enhance the effect of gluconolactone chemical peeling, a combined method including water-oxygen oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy can be used.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate skin parameters such as hydration, sebum, pH and TEWL after application of a 10% gluconolactone chemical peel in combination with oxybrasion and microneedling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one Caucasian women participated in the study. A series of three split face treatments was carried out at 1-week intervals. Oxybrasion was performed on the right side of the face and micro-needle mesotherapy on the left side. A 10% gluconolactone solution was applied to the entire face. Before the first and third treatments and 2 weeks after the last treatment, skin parameters were evaluated. Photographic documentation was also made before and after the treatment series.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Evaluation of skin parameters using Courage & Khazaka 580 Multi Probe Adapter probes (Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) showed an increase in hydration and a decrease in sebum, pH and TEWL for both treatments. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatments. Combining chemical peeling of gluconolactone with oxybrasion and microneedle mesotherapy is a good method to seal the hydrolipid barrier and increase skin hydration.

Efficacy of Oxybrasion and Cosmetic Acids on Selected Skin Parameters in the Treatment with Acne Vulgaris

Purpose

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an oxybrasion treatment applied alone and an oxybrasion treatment combined with cosmetic acids in improving acne-prone skin and selected skin parameters.

Patients and Methods

A single-blind placebo study in a sample of 44 women diagnosed with acne vulgaris was conducted. Group A (n = 22) had a series of five oxybrasion treatments, while group B (n = 22) received a synergy of five oxybrasion treatments and a mixture of phytic, pyruvic, and lactic and lactic ferulic acids at 40% pH 1.4. Cosmetic treatments were performed every 14 days, and The Derma Unit SCC3 apparatus (Courage & Khazaka, Cologne, Germany) Sebumeter SM 815 and Corneometer CM825 and GAGS scale were used to check their effectiveness.

Results

A Bonferroni post hoc test showed that group A and B did not differ from each other in acne severity before treatment (p = 1.00). However, these samples differed significantly after treatment (p < 0.001), suggesting that combined treatment of oxybrasion and cosmetic acids has a better effect than oxybrasion alone. Also, two treatment conditions (before and after) were statistically different for groups A and B separately (p < 0.001), indicating a similar efficacy of both treatments on acne severity.

Conclusion

Cosmetic treatments improved acne-prone skin and selected skin parameters. Better results were obtained by combining an oxybrasion treatment with cosmetic acids.

Clinical Trial Approval

The clinical trial with ID ISRCTN 28257448 approved this study.

Case report: Acne vulgaris treatment with 5-Aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy and adalimumab: a novel approach

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects a large proportion of teenagers and young adults. Despite the availability of various treatment options, many patients experience inadequate relief or intolerable side effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a growing interest in the treatment of acne vulgaris, with 5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) being one of the most commonly used photosensitizers. Adalimumab is a biologic medication used to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as Psoriasis and Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), which targets TNF-α. Combining different therapies, such as ALA-PDT and adalimumab, can often provide more effective and longer-lasting results. This report presents the case of a patient with severe and refractory acne vulgaris who was treated with a combination of ALA-PDT and adalimumab, resulting in significant improvement in the condition. The literature review highlights the significant comorbidity associated with acne, emphasizing the need for potential of TNF-α inhibitors for its effective treatments that address physical symptoms and ALA-PDT is known to treat scar hyperplasia, and to prevent or minimize the formation of post-acne hypertrophic scars. The combination of TNF inhibitors and ALA-PDT or adalimumab has shown promising results in treating inflammatory skin conditions, including severe and refractory acne vulgaris, as per recent studies.

Acne vulgaris and the most popular and new cosmetological treatments

INTRODUCTION

Acne vulgaris is a disease that has an enormous impact on appearance of the skin of the patients and also on their quality of life. Long-term dermatological treatment, which often lasts years, and disease relapses contribute to the occurrence of low self-esteem and depression. Acne is one of the 10 most common diseases in the world and the most common inflammatory skin disease. Many methods of dermatological treatment that bring very good results are available. However, educating people with acne on how to take care of their skin on a daily basis to minimize the bleak effects of the disease is an extremely important element. Contemporary cosmetology creates an environment for not only taking care of the skin at home, but also develops in-office treatments with exfoliation of the dead epidermis as an extremely important and priority part of treatment. The cosmetologist can propose both chemical and apparatus methods, which are selected individually for each client.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to provide information about cosmetological treatment used in acne vulgaris.

METHODS

In this article, we reviewed the published literature, article published in peer-reviewed journals.

RESULTS

There are many methods that work well in the case of acne skin care, more and more new treatments appear on the cosmetological market.

CONCLUSION

Acne skin care in beauty parlor is very important element.

Metabolic and Dietary Factors in Acne Vulgaris and Evaluation of the Acne Vulgaris Treatment with Oral Contraceptive-Based Therapies in Young Adult Women

The etiopathogenesis of acne is complex, as several endo- and exogenous factors that affect the sebaceous-hair unit are involved in the development of acne lesions. The main aim of the study was to evaluate selected metabolic parameters before treatment. Another goal of the study was to determine the correlation between selected metabolic and dietary parameters and the severity of acne before treatment. The third objective was to assess the severity of acne before and after treatment, considering the type of treatment used. The final objective was to assess the relationship between the difference in acne severity before and after treatment, considering the type of treatment used and factors of dairy or sweets intake. 168 women participated in the study. The patients belonged to two groups: the study group (99 patients with acne vulgaris) and the control group (69 patients without skin lesions). The study group was divided into subgroups according to the treatment used: contraceptive preparation, contraceptive preparation and cyproterone acetate, and contraceptive preparation and isotretinoin preparation. We found that LDL levels and consumption of sweets correlated with acne severity. The mainstay of acne treatment is contraceptive treatment (ethinylestradiol and drospirenone). The effectiveness of the three contraceptive-based treatments was confirmed by observing the severity of acne. There were no significant correlations between the difference in acne severity before and after treatment with the three treatments and factors of dairy or sweet consumption.

The Characteristics of the Skin Physiological Parameters and Facial Microbiome of "Ideal Skin" in Shanghai Women

Purpose

Everyone pursues perfect skin, but there exist significant differences between cultures, and no commonly accepted standards have been established. Therefore, our study attempted to define the "ideal skin" of oriental women and analyze the relationship between different skin physiological parameters and microbiomes.

Patients and Methods

Based on our customized grading standard, the VISIA CR photos of 111 young women aged from 18 to 25 in Shanghai were collected and scored by the severity of pores, acne, spots, and wrinkles. The volunteers were then divided into "ideal skin" (W1), "normal skin" (W2), and "undesirable skin" (W3) groups. The physiological parameters of facial skin were measured by non-invasive instrumental methods, and the skin microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA and ITS high-throughput sequencing.

Results

From "ideal skin" to "undesirable skin", the skin physiological parameters, α-diversity, and composition of the facial microbiome showed noticeable regular changes. Compared with the "normal skin" (W2) and "undesirable skin" (W3), the "ideal skin" (W1) group had lower sebum content, TEWL, melanin, hemoglobin, and roughness but higher hydration content and skin pH value. Furthermore, the Shannon index of skin bacteria was significantly increased in W1 (P = 0.004), suggesting that the ideal skin had higher species diversity. From W1 to W3, the species composition was changed significantly. The abundance of Actinobacteria was increased, while Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were decreased. Correspondingly, the abundances of lipophilic Propionibacterium and Malassezia were increased, while the abundances of Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, and Streptococcus, were significantly decreased. Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis revealed strong correlations between the physiological parameters and the microbiota. Notably, the Shannon index of skin bacteria was significantly positively correlated with skin hydration (P = 0.03) but negatively correlated with the abundance of Cutibacterium (P = 0.000), hemoglobin content (P = 0.025), and sebum content (P = 0.5). Therefore, the skin hydration content and the abundance of Cutibacterium played an important role in maintaining the α-diversity and skin homeostasis.

Conclusion

Ideal skin had better water-oil balance and barrier function, higher microbial diversity, and more reasonable species distribution. Therefore, daily skincare needs to control skin oil and maintain skin microecological balance to achieve ideal skin conditions for young women aged 18-25 years old.

Prospective Placebo-Controlled Assessment of Spore-Based Probiotic Supplementation on Sebum Production, Skin Barrier Function, and Acne

Probiotic supplementation has been shown to modulate the gut-skin axis. The goal of this study was to investigate whether oral spore-based probiotic ingestion modulates the gut microbiome, plasma short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and skin biophysical properties. This was a single-blinded, 8-week study (NCT03605108) in which 25 participants, 7 with noncystic acne, were assigned to take placebo capsules for the first 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of probiotic supplementation. Blood and stool collection, facial photography, sebum production, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration measurements, and acne assessments were performed at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. Probiotic supplementation resulted in a decreasing trend for the facial sebum excretion rate and increased TEWL overall. Subanalysis of the participants with acne showed improvement in total, noninflammatory, and inflammatory lesion counts, along with improvements in markers of gut permeability. The gut microbiome of the nonacne population had an increase in the relative abundance of Akkermansia, while the subpopulation of those with acne had an increase in the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcus gnavus. Probiotic supplementation augmented the circulating acetate/propionate ratio. There is preliminary evidence for the use of spore-based probiotic supplementation to shift the gut microbiome and augment short-chain fatty acids in those with and without acne. Further spore-based supplementation studies in those with noncystic acne are warranted.

Comparisons of Four Acne Grading Systems Recommended in China, Korea, and Japan

Introduction

Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent skin disorders. The treatment regimen depends on how severe the AV is. The acne grading system is crucial for clinical and research work. The aim of this work was to evaluate intra-grader differences between 5 investigators using Acne Grading System (AGS), the International Improved Grading System (IIGS), the Korean Acne Grading System (KAGS), and the Japanese Acne Grading System (JAGS) to assess acne vulgaris (AV) severity.

Patients and Methods

AV sufferers from dermatological clinics of five hospitals in China were the subject of a prospective cross-sectional study. AGS, IIGS, KAGS and JAGS were utilized by 5 investigators to verify the severity of AV. The correlation between AGS, IIGS, KAGS and JAGS was examined.

Results

A complete of 1107 AV sufferers were enrolled in the study. There were indications that the AGS, IIGS, KAGS and JAGS had sufficient internal consistency. As for the reliability amongst raters, AGS, IIGS, KAGS and JAGS confirmed gorgeous reliability. There were strong correlations amongst AGS, IIGS, KAGS and JAGS (P≤0.01). The interior reliability of investigator 1 one year ago and later after usage of AGS and IIGS was excellent (P≤0.01).

Conclusion

IIGS and AGS exhibited great correlation with KAGS and JAGS and were highly reliable.

Safety and effectiveness of nano-pulse stimulation™ technology to treat acne vulgaris of the back

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This feasibility study describes the effects of Nano-pulse stimulation™ (NPS™) technology using the CellFX™ System on acne vulgaris of the back with the objectives of demonstrating safety and effectiveness. The CellFX System applies nanosecond pulses of electrical energy to induce highly localized regulated cell death (RCD) in the cellular structures of the targeted zone with no thermal effect on the tissue and negligible effects on surrounding non-cellular components.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventeen subjects were enrolled at two sites with thirteen subjects completing treatment. Three 7 X 7 cm regions containing at least five bacne lesions each were identified, one region treated with the CellFX across three treatment sessions, the second region treated as a sham using microneedle tip placement without delivering energy, and the third as an untreated control.

RESULTS

CellFX-treated areas showed an average reduction of acne lesions of 82% by 90 days post-last procedure. Acne improvement was observed in 100% of CellFX-treated regions compared to 39% improvement in Sham regions and 31% improvement in the control regions. The most common skin effects were erythema and hyperpigmentation observed in 23% and 92% of the subjects, respectively, at the last timepoint. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

CellFX is a safe and effective procedure for clearing back acne.

Stabilization of Acne Vulgaris-Associated Microbial Dysbiosis with 2% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid

Facial microbiota dysbiosis is an important factor in causing acne vulgaris. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of 2% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid (SSA) on acne-associated facial bacteria. In the current study, 30 acne vulgaris patients (treated with 2% SSA for eight weeks) and ten volunteers with no facial acne were selected. Samples from acne patients (before and after treatment) and volunteers (not treated) were analyzed via high throughput sequencing, Deblur algorithm, and R microbiome package. After treatment with 2% SSA, the total lesion count and global acne grading system (GAGS) score reduced significantly (p < 0.001). Metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed that the pre-treated acne group had low α and deviated β diversity compared to the control and post-treated acne groups. Due to the treatment with 2% SSA, α diversity index was increased and β diversity was stabilized significantly (p < 0.001). The relative abundance of bacterial genera in the pre-treated acne group was uneven and had a high proportion of Staphylococcus, Ralstonia, and Streptococcus. The proportion of these three genera was significantly decreased in the post-treated group, and overall bacteria genera distribution tends toward the healthy individual. It is concluded that 2% SSA normalizes the microbial communities associated with the skin.

Prevalence and Self-Medication for Acne among Students of Health-Related Science Colleges at King Saud University in Riyadh Region Saudi Arabia

Background and Objectives: In Saudi Arabia, Acne vulgaris is a very predominant ailment among adolescents, especially female university students, and self-medication has become a trend to manage this condition. To determine the prevalence of Acne vulgaris among health care students and to access the scenario of its self-medication in light of students' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards it. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study conducted at King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 2022 to March 2022. The study was undertaken using a pre-structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 550 university students were recruited and the incidence of acne was observed to be 78.5% (432 out of 550) with a female predominance. A total of 56.0% (244 of 432) students used self-medications for acne without a prescription and the most used prescription drugs were topical and oral antibiotics (38.1%), followed by Isotretinoin (22.55), and topical adaplene (20.9%). Female students (n = 181, 63.5%) were significantly more likely to self-medicate compared to male students (n = 63, 42.9%, p ≤ 0.001). Almost 60% of medical students had proper knowledge of medication for acne. Conclusion: Acne vulgaris is a highly prevalent condition among university students of Saudi Arabia and use of self-medication among acne sufferers is high. Education programs should be made to raise awareness about acne and its treatment.

Evaluation of Hormonal Factors in Acne Vulgaris and the Course of Acne Vulgaris Treatment with Contraceptive-Based Therapies in Young Adult Women

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which is considered one of the diseases of civilization due to the significant influence of environmental factors on the severity and frequency of these lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hormonal profile of patients before treatment and to assess selected hormonal parameters after treatment. Our first objective was to examine the correlation between the selected hormonal parameters and the severity of acne before treatment. Our second objective was to evaluate the impact of treatment with three therapies, as measured by the selected hormonal parameters and acne severity. Statistical calculations were performed using the R v.4.1.1 statistical calculation environment (IDE RStudio v. 1.4.1717) with a significance level for the statistical tests set at α = 0.05. The results showed that the women in the pre-treatment (T1) and control (C) groups had significant differences in testosterone, androstendione, FAI, SHBG, prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations. After treatment, there were still significant differences in testosterone, androstendione, FAI, and SHBG concentrations between the post-treatment (T2) and control groups. We concluded that testosterone, androstendione, and cortisol concentrations correlate with acne severity. Acne in adult women may be an important clinical marker of androgen excess syndrome and cannot be considered a transient symptom of puberty. The mainstay of acne treatment is contraceptive therapy (ethonylestradiol and drospirenone). In this study, we confirmed the effectiveness of three contraceptive-based treatments using hormonal parameters and acne severity.

Efficacy of Hydrogen Purification and Cosmetic Acids in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Report

Acne and skin lesions that appear in its course deteriorate the quality of life of patients, cause depression and the emergence of suicidal thoughts. Cosmetic treatments can have a positive effect on improving skin condition by cleaning up skin eruptions, thus improving the well-being of affected people. Hydrogen purification is a treatment that uses alkaline water generated by a device, which reduces sebum from the surface of the epidermis. This is a novel treatment that has recently been introduced to beauty salons. On the other hand, cosmetic acids have been used for many years for treating people with acne vulgaris and give spectacular results in terms of improving the skin condition. In this study, skin condition was evaluated with a Derma Unit SSC 3 device. The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to check acne severity. Twenty-four women aged 19-21 years (M = 20.13, SD = 0.80) diagnosed with mild acne vulgaris and a high sebum level participated in the study. Group A underwent a hydrogen purification treatment using an H2jet manipulator, which ejected alkaline water from the manipulator under pressure. Group B underwent a hydrogen purification treatment with the use of a phytic, pyruvic, lactic and ferulic acids at 40% mixture (pH 1.4). A series of four treatments was performed at 14-day intervals in both groups. Skin parameters were measured before and 30 days after the series of treatment. Very good results were obtained in both groups. The skin eruptions in patients were reduced and we also observed lower amounts of sebum on the surface of the epidermis, and an improvement in skin hydration. However, in group B, the results were better than in group A. The study showed that the synergy of the treatments produced much better effects than those obtained by completing the hydrogen purification treatment alone.

The Relevant of Sex Hormone Levels and Acne Grades in Patients with Acne Vulgaris: A Cross-Sectional Study in Beijing

Background

The tests of sex hormones play pivotal roles in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of acne vulgaris, but the majority of patients with acne vulgaris present regular sex hormone levels within the normal reference range.

Objective

To determine the correlation among levels of sex hormones, ratio of androgen to estrogen and acne grades in patients with acne vulgaris.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was applied to collect 693 patients with acne vulgaris. All samples were screened by cluster sampling among those who underwent tests of sex hormones at Beijing Jingcheng Skin Hospital from July 2021 to June 2022. A gender stratified analysis was performed to classify acne grades I–IV. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between age, sex hormones, ratio of androgen to estrogen and acne grades, with multinomial logistic regression to analyze the association of sex hormones with acne grades in patients with acne.

Results

(1) The testosterone levels were mostly within normal reference values for both males and females with varying degrees of acne. For females, the serum follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and ratio of androgen to estrogen were significantly different between acne grades. For males, there were significant differences in serum estradiol, testosterone, and ratio of androgen to estrogen across acne grades. (2) The acne grade was negatively correlated with estradiol and positively correlated with the ratio of androgen to estrogen; the female acne grade was also negatively correlated with age and progesterone, but positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the ratio of androgen to estrogen was independently correlated with the grade of acne and that acne grade worsened as the ratio increased.

Conclusion

The increase in the ratio of androgen to estrogen may aggravate the acne grade in patients with acne vulgaris.