Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 0.3%/2.5%: Effective Acne Therapy Regardless of Age or Gender

June 2017 | Volume 16 | Issue 6 | Original Article | 582 | Copyright © June 2017


Linda Stein Gold MD,a William P. Werschler MD,b Jennifer Mohawk PhDc

aDepartment of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI bDepartment of Medicine/Dermatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA cGalderma Laboratories, L.P. Fort Worth, TX

Figure 5aFigure 5bfacial acne was significantly associated with increased social self-consciousness in women, but not in men.9 This agrees with a finding by Motley et al that the patients perception of acne severity is most likely to predict psychosocial distress.24 Age may also have an impact on patients’ responses and attitudes toward acne therapy. It is commonly understood that most adolescents will experience acne at some point, with the prevalence and severity of the disease each slightly higher in adolescent boys.5 Adult acne has become an increasingly important topic, especially among the growing number of adult females who suffer from the condition.10 There is a lag between perception of acne as an adolescent disease and the reality that a not unsubstantial proportion of adults have acne, which can present a challenge for older patients.25 Hassan et al reported that patients ≥ 20 years had significantly more appearance-related distress compared with adolescents (P<0.05).9 Regardless of age or gender, adherence is an important factor in the success of acne therapy. Tuchayi et al reported that there were multiple factors associated with non-adherence to acne lifestyle issues such as not being able to follow complex regimens, busy lifestyle, forgetfulness and inconvenience as well as clinical issues such as lack of results, side effects, and psychiatric comorbidity.26 Meta-analysis of 14 clinical studies involving more than 2,300 subjects showed that A/BPO achieved clinically meaningful results in reduction of acne lesions by 4 weeks and was well tolerated by the majority of subjects.27 Because A/BPO addresses some of the factors that contribute to nonadherence (simple regimen, low potential for side effects, and convenience), it is well suited for treatment of both males and females and individuals of varying ages. There are preliminary data that early treatment of acne with adapalene 0.3% reduces the potential risk for scarring, particularly in