by Allison Sit
Healio covered three studies from the June issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, including one about dapsone gel for acne patients with skin of color. The study, “An Open-label Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Tolerability of Dapsone Gel, 7.5% in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris in Men and Women With Skin of Color,” was conducted by colleagues from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Weill Cornell Medicine. While studies have demonstrated that dapsone gel, 7.5% is safe and effective in treating acne, there is minimal data in patients with skin of color. In this study, researchers enrolled 20 adults with moderate to severe acne who were classified as Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI. The subjects used dapsone gel, 7.5% once a day for 24 weeks. Researchers found that dapsone gel, 7.5% was safe, well-tolerated and effective in treating both acne vulgaris and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in acne patients with skin of color. However, researchers acknowledge the small sample size and that larger studies are needed.
Healio also wrote about a first-of-its-kind study on a combination therapy for treating atrophic acne scars. The study, “Treatment of Acne Scars with Microneedling and Chemical Reconstruction of Scarred Skin Therapy (CROSS) Using Phenol/Croton Oil Combination,” was conducted by Oregon cosmetic surgeon Quita Lopez, MD. Since combination therapies have been shown to be the most effective treatments for acne scars, Dr. Lopez sought to combine microneedling, which has been shown to release growth factors, with CROSS therapy that contains 60% phenol and 0.2% croton oil in treating acne scars in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III to V. Patients in the study were treated over a five year period. Subjects had an 18% grade-1 improvement and 81% grade-2 improvement when their photographs were evaluated using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Using the Goodman and Baron Qualitative scar grading system, subjects showed 62% grade-1 improvement and 38% grade-2 improvement. Dr. Lopez notes that the treatment was not only very effective but provides a quick recovery with minimal side effects.
A survey on the diagnosis and management of pediatric vulvar and perianal lichen sclerosus (PVPLS) also appeared in Healio. The survey, “Lichen Sclerosus: A Survey of Diagnosis and Management Among Pediatric Dermatologists and Gynecologists,” looked at the ways pediatric dermatologists and pediatric/adolescent gynecologists diagnose, treat and manage the disease. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional 35 question survey and found 86% of respondents desired management guidelines, although 85% reported they felt completely or very confident in diagnosing PVPLS. Survey results showed that while initial treatment was similar among providers, recommendations for maintenance and follow-up varied. Only 42% of providers recommended lifelong monitoring. In addition, the majority of respondents acknowledged difficulty in distinguishing vitiligo from PVPLS. Researchers recommend studies to determine optimal medication regimens and care protocols.
