Heatmap Evaluation of Facial Hydration Using a Novel Python Program.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating cleansers and moisturizers provides important information to guide clinicians in the recommendation of these products. This project was performed to visualize skin hydration via heatmap after the use of a gentle skin cleanser (GSC) and moisturizing lotion (ML). METHODS: Half-face, intra-individual open-label study in healthy volunteers. Cleanser was administered in a single application that was then wiped off the face. Moisturizing lotion was applied at least once-daily for one week. Hydration measurements were made at 30 pre-defined points on half of the face, at baseline, and 30 minutes post-application; an additional assessment at week 1 was made for the moisturizing lotion. Heatmaps were generated using Python programming software to interpolate hydration values to colors that were then superimposed onto the volunteer's facial image.  Results: Five subjects completed the cleanser assessments, and 5 subjects completed the 30-minute evaluation for the lotion, with 4 completing the week 1 assessment. There was a visible shift in skin hydration post-GSC application from values approximately in the 12-42 AU (arbitrary unit) range to 30-60 AU at 30 minutes. Similarly, there was a shift in hydration from baseline to 30 minutes that continued to increase through week 1 of ML use. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative heatmap data generation showed a clear, visual change in hydration over time. There was a visible shift in hydration values from baseline to 30 minutes after application of cleanser; hydration also improved after use of moisturizing lotion at 30 minutes and increased after week 1 application.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(6):463-465.     doi:10.36849/JDD.8221.

Integrating new approaches to care in a vascular wound clinic.

INTRODUCTION: An evidence-based approach is essential in the treatment of wounds to optimise healing, reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. AIM: This case study aimed to demonstrate our model of care, which assesses and manages patients with venous disease and complex wounds. In this case, venous leg ulcer (VLU) was treated with TLC-NOSF dressing and therapeutic compression. The wound was serially assessed using a smart App that gave the patient a graphic representation of their progress. DESIGN: Descriptive Observational Case Study. CLINICAL CARE: An evidence-based approach for managing a chronic, severe VLU. The patient was initially seen at the Outpatient Vascular Wound Clinic twice weekly, then every two weeks for conservative sharp wound debridement, skin care, dressing change, and compression therapy using a compression (Ready) wrap. Wound progress was monitored by the digital application 'Tissue Analytics', a "purposedesigned digital wound management platform that records, tracks, and analyses wounds". RESULTS: Week 1: On initial review, ulcer length was 3.15cm, width was 3.1 cm, and total surface area was 6.31 cm2. The wound base was mildly sloughy (<25%), with areas of good granulation tissue on view. Week 12: Length was 1.32 cm, width 1.50 cm, and total surface area of 1.45 cm2, a 77% reduction in wound size. Week 24: The length was 0.48 cm, the width was 0.64 cm, and the total surface area was 0.18 cm2. This represented a 97% reduction in wound size. Week 36: Length was 0.01 cm, the width 0.06 cm, with a total surface area of 0.00 cm2. This represented a 99.99% reduction in wound size. CONCLUSION: The patient's treatment for a complex venous leg ulcer included the application of TLC-NOSF dressing in combination with individualised therapeutic compression therapy. We found TLC-NOSF was very effective in combination with the best standard of VLU care (i.e. therapeutic graduated compression therapy). The clinician and patient were impressed with the healing rate at 12 weeks, as the wound dimensions were the lowest since the wound started six years ago. This dramatically improved patient concordance and engagement in care. Despite incomplete healing at 36 weeks, the wound-healing journey over the 36 weeks indicated wound closure was close. In addition, using a wound assessment App, the patient could immediately see the benefits of the new treatment, facilitating patient compliance with the treatment.

A review: Structure, bioactivity and potential application of algal polysaccharides in skin aging care and therapy.

Skin is the first barrier of body which stands guard for defending aggressive pathogens and environmental pressures all the time. Cutaneous metabolism changes in harmful exposure, following with skin dysfunctions and diseases. Lots of researches have reported that polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds exhibited multidimensional bioactivities in dealing with skin disorder. However, few literature systematically reviews them. The aim of the present paper is to summarize structure, bioactivities and structure-function relationship of algal polysaccharides acting on skin. Algal polysaccharides show antioxidant, immunomodulating, hydration regulating, anti-melanogenesis and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulating abilities via multipath ways in skin. These bioactivities are determined by various parameters, including seaweed species, molecular weight, monosaccharides composition and substitute groups. In addition, potential usages of algae-derived polysaccharides in skin care and therapy are also elaborated. Algal polysaccharides are potential ingredients in formulation that providing anti-aging efficacy for skin.

Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic relapsing, and remitting inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by erythematous, scaly, and pruritic lesions often located over the flexural surfaces. Treatment goals of AD include the reduction of itching and burning, as well as the reduction of skin changes. Treatment of AD includes emollients and skin care, topical therapies including topical corticosteroids and steroid-sparing therapies, systemic therapies, and phototherapy.

Customized Silicone Foam Dressing Under Noninvasive Ventilation and Skincare Bundle to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in Neonates.

In a sixty-eight-bed level-IV NICU, an increased incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) from noninvasive ventilation (NIV) devices was identified. The aim of this quality improvement project was to decrease HAPIs from NIV by 10%. A literature review and the Plan-Do-Study-Act were implemented. The intervention included a customized silicone foam dressing under NIV, an NIV skincare bundle, and multidisciplinary support. Hospital-acquired pressure injury rates were tracked over 3 years postinterventions. The incidence of HAPIs declined by 20% from 0.2 per 1,000 patient days to 0.05 per 1,000 patient days. Relative risk was 4.6 times greater prior to intervention (p = .04). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure was not noted and measured by the percentage of patients on ventilators pre- and postintervention. Customized silicone foam dressings under NIV, NIV skincare bundle, and multidisciplinary team support may decrease HAPIs in neonates without CPAP failure.

Study on the Skincare Effects of Red Rice Fermented by Aspergillus oryzae In Vitro.

Red rice, a variety of pigmented grain, serves dual purposes as both a food and medicinal resource. In recent years, we have witnessed an increasing interest in the dermatological benefits of fermented rice extracts, particularly their whitening and hydrating effects. However, data on the skincare advantages derived from fermenting red rice with Aspergillus oryzae remain sparse. This study utilized red rice as a substrate for fermentation by Aspergillus oryzae, producing a substance known as red rice Aspergillus oryzae fermentation (RRFA). We conducted a preliminary analysis of RRFA's composition followed by an evaluation of its skincare potential through various in vitro tests. Our objective was to develop a safe and highly effective skincare component for potential cosmetic applications. RRFA's constituents were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Kjeldahl nitrogen determination, the phenol-sulfuric acid method, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We employed human dermal fibroblasts (FB) to assess RRFA's anti-aging and antioxidative properties, immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and 3D epidermal models to examine its moisturizing and reparative capabilities, and human primary melanocytes (MCs) to study its effects on skin lightening. Our findings revealed that RRFA encompasses several bioactive compounds beneficial for skin health. RRFA can significantly promote the proliferation of FB cells. And it markedly enhances the mRNA expression of ECM-related anti-aging genes and reduces reactive oxygen species production. Furthermore, RRFA significantly boosts the expression of Aquaporin 3 (AQP3), Filaggrin (FLG), and Hyaluronan Synthase 1 (HAS1) mRNA, alongside elevating moisture levels in a 3D epidermal model. Increases were also observed in the mRNA expression of Claudin 1 (CLDN1), Involucrin (IVL), and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) in keratinocytes. Additionally, RRFA demonstrated an inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis. Collectively, RRFA contains diverse ingredients which are beneficial for skin health and showcases multifaceted skincare effects in terms of anti-aging, antioxidant, moisturizing, repairing, and whitening capabilities in vitro, highlighting its potential for future cosmetic applications.

Enhanced Skin Assessment Methodology to Detect Early Tissue Damage and Prevent Pressure Injuries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a skin assessment technique, subepidermal moisture (SEM) assessment, to assess, identify, and prevent pressure injuries (PIs) in critically ill adults. DESIGN: This was a retrospective, descriptive, comparative research study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 69 critically ill adults; their mean age was 58.8 years (SD 18.1 years). The majority were male (n = 40, 58%), 29 (42%) were African American (AA), and 36 (52%) were White. The study setting was a surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU) in a southern US Gulf Coast academic level I trauma hospital. Data were collected from September to November 2021. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of subjects who had undergone SEM assessment. We also collected demographic and pertinent clinical information, including Braden Scale cumulative scores and subscale scores, documented PI prevention interventions, and PI occurrence and characteristics if developed within 7 days of SEM measurement. We also evaluated whether PI prevention interventions were appropriate. To examine nurse perception of the SEM device, we conducted a web-based survey of nurses providing care in our facility's STICU. Comparison of responses was done using Fisher's test or Chi-square test, and the mean responses from groups were compared using t test. RESULTS: Thirty-five (57%) subjects had a sacral SEM delta ≥0.6; 14 (40%) were AA; 20 (57%) were White; and 11 (31%) had a hospital-acquired PI (HAPI) or present-on-admission (POA) PI. Among the 14 HAPI and POA PI subjects with sacral SEM delta, 11 (79%) had sacral SEM delta ≥0.6. Among 26 AA subjects with sacral SEM delta, 5 had a HAPI or POA PI, and of those, 4 (80%) had sacral SEM delta ≥0.6. A significant and negative correlation was observed between cumulative Braden Scale scores on day 2 and sacral SEM delta (r = -0.28, P = .03) and R heel delta (r = -0.29, P = .03) scores, indicating higher PI risk. Of the 35 patients with a sacral SEM delta ≥0.6, 24 (69%) subjects did not have appropriate PI prevention interventions. Nurses (n = 13) indicated that the SEM device was easy to use and helped them perform an accurate skin assessment on patients with darker skin tones. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that SEM technology is beneficial to address racial disparities in skin assessment, enhance skin assessment accuracy beyond existing PI care, improve the accuracy of risk assessment, and promote appropriate location-specific PI prevention interventions.

Maintaining Skin Integrity of Patients Diagnosed With SARS CoV2: A Quality Improvement Project.

PURPOSE: This purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and evaluate a protocol (intervention bundle) designed to prevent pressure injuries in patients admitted with SARS-CoV2 and required prone positioning. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 267 patients aged 18 years and older, who were admitted with SARS-CoV2 and required prone positioning. Their age ranged from 32 to 76 years; a majority (54%, n = 145) were intubated. The study setting was an urban 220 bed acute care hospital in Northern California. APPROACH: A task force comprising the quality management team, certified wound care nurses and nursing leadership used the plan-do-study-act cycle completed a quality improvement project designed for preventing pressure injuries among patients admitted with SARS-CoV2 and managed with prone positioning, either with or without mechanical ventilation. The five phases of the quality improvement project were protocol development, education, implementation, and evaluation. Data collection period for this quality improvement was between April 2020 and August 2020. Outcomes were evaluated using descriptive statistics. OUTCOMES: Sixteen patients (6%) experienced a total of 25 pressure injuries. The time between initial prone placement and change back to supine positioning was 24 hours (36 ± 12 hours). The most common pressure injuries were deep tissue injuries, primarily over the heels and sacrum. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This protocol maintained the skin integrity of 94% of a group critically ill patients admitted with SARS-CoV2 and managed by prone positioning.

Photodynamic Skincare: A Prospective Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Peer-reviewed, clinical studies measuring the efficacy and usability of skin care products enhance their integrity and may guide experts in the field in providing recommendations. A single-blind, prospective clinical study was designed to assess the subject satisfaction, clinical benefit, and safety of three photodynamic topical formulations referred to as MMSRepose (MMSRep), MMSRevive (MMSRev), and MMSBalance (MMSB).  Methods: Thirteen male and female patients (mean age 49 +/- 17.8 years) applied one of the three topical serums twice daily over a period of 12 weeks. Subjects returned for photography, and blinded investigator evaluation of rhytides (fine lines) and dyspigmentation were measured on a 6- and 4-point scale, respectively. Patient-perceived efficacy of multiple clinical outcomes was measured on a 5-point scale.  Results: 100% of subjects reported at least a 1-grade improvement in global aesthetic at the conclusion of the study. Investigator assessment revealed an overall 53.3% decrease in rhytides, correlating to a mean point reduction from 1.65 +/- 0.77 to 0.77 +/- 0.53 (P<0.001) from baseline to week 12. Investigator assessment of dyspigmentation revealed a 62.7% decrease, correlating to a mean point reduction of 1.85 +/- 0.68 from week 1 to 0.69 +/- 0.48 at week 12 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Photodynamic serums demonstrate clinical efficacy in skin rejuvenation and high user satisfaction. There were no serious adverse events. This study is limited by the inability to randomize to placebo due to the small sample size, as subject retention was heavily impacted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Future studies may be indicated to undergo comparison with a larger cohort.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(5):332-337. doi:10.36849/JDD.7167.

Extraction and In Vitro Skincare Effect Assessment of Polysaccharides Extract from the Roots of Abelmoschus manihot (L.).

Obtaining high-added value compounds from agricultural waste receives increasing attention, as it can both improve resource utilization efficiency and reduce waste generation. In this study, polysaccharides are extracted from the discarded roots of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) by the high-efficiency ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The optimized condition was determined as solid-liquid ratio SL ratio = 1:20, temperature T = 30 °C and time T = 40 min, achieving an extraction yield of 13.41%. Composition analysis revealed that glucose (Glc, 44.65%), rhamnose (Rha, 26.30%), galacturonic acid (GalA, 12.50%) and galactose (Gal, 9.86%) are the major monosaccharides of the extract. The extract showed a low degree of esterification (DE) value of 40.95%, and its Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum exhibited several characteristic peaks of polysaccharides. Inspired by the wide cosmetic applications of polysaccharides, the skincare effect of the extract was evaluated via the moisture retention, total phenolic content (TPC) quantification, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging activity, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity experiments. The extract solutions demonstrated a 48 h moisture retention rate of 10.75%, which is superior to that of commercially available moisturizer hyaluronic acid (HA). Moreover, both the TPC value of 16.16 mg GAE/g (dw) and DPPH-free radical scavenging activity of 89.20% at the concentration of 2 mg/mL indicated the strong anti-oxidant properties of the extract. Furthermore, the anti-hyaluronidase activity and moderate anti-elastase activity were determined as 72.16% and 42.02%, respectively. In general, in vitro skincare effect experiments suggest moisturizing, anti-oxidant, anti-radical and anti-aging activities of the A. manihot root extract, indicating its potential applications in the cosmetic industry.

A Practical Algorithm for Integrating Skincare to Improve Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction With Energy-Based Dermatologic Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Medical aesthetic procedures for facial antiaging with laser and energy-based devices (EBDs) are rapidly increasing, but standards integrating skincare before, during, and after these treatments are lacking. The algorithm for integrated skin care for facial antiaging treatment with EBDs aims to stimulate healing, reduce downtime, and improve comfort and treatment outcomes. METHODS: A panel of 8 global physicians employed a modified Delphi method and reached a consensus on the algorithm integrating skincare based on the best available evidence, the panel's clinical experience, and opinions. RESULTS: The algorithm has a pretreatment (starts 2 - 4 weeks before the procedure) and treatment (day of treatment) section, followed by care after the procedure (0 - 7 days) and follow-up care (1 - 4 weeks after the procedure or ongoing). Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 50 or higher, combined with protective measures such as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, is recommended to protect the face from sun exposure. Dyschromia is a significant concern for those with skin of color (SOC). Clinicians may recommend skincare using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer containing vitamins C and E, retinoid, or other ingredients such as niacinamide, kojic acid, licorice root extract, azelaic acid, and tranexamic acid, depending on the patient's facial skin condition. CONCLUSION: Medical aesthetic procedures for facial antiaging with EBDs integrating skincare or topical treatments may improve outcomes and patient satisfaction. Topical antioxidants and free radical quenchers can combat photodamage and may offer a safe alternative to topical hydroquinone.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(5):353-359.     doi:10.36849/JDD.8092.

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Freshwater Sapropel Extracts: In Vitro Analysis and Antioxidant Profiling for Skincare Applications.

Background and Objective: Sapropel, a biologically active sedimentary deposit, is high in organic matter and minerals and has been shown to offer health benefits. Its constituents, humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA), have been found to have some therapeutic applications. The aim of this study was to determine the potential therapeutically significant properties of freshwater sapropel extracts: their polyacid content, antioxidative (AO) status, and biological activity in cell culture. Materials and Methods: Freshwater lakes from the southeast region of Latvia were investigated layer by layer. The total organic carbon (TOC) was determined through combustion using the catalytic oxidation method, HA and FA were measured via acid perspiration, and the total polyphenol content (TPC) and total antioxidant status (TAS) was analysed spectrophotometrically. Sapropel extracts' regenerative abilities were tested in vitro using a Cell-IQ real-time monitoring system on mouse BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts and human keratinocyte HaCaT cell lines. Cytotoxicity was measured through neutral red uptake assessment as a concentration-dependent reduction in the uptake of neutral red dye relative to a vehicle control or untreated cells. Results: The highest AO activity was observed in sapropel extracts with elevated concentrations of HA and TPC from Audzelu Lake (1.08 ± 0.03 mmol/L), and the lowest activity was found in extracts from Ivusku Lake (0.31 ± 0.01 mmol/L). Correspondingly, the concentrations of HA in Audzelu and Ivusku Lakes were recorded as 45.2 and 27.4 mg/g, respectively. High concentrations of HA promoted in vitro cell growth upon short-term exposure (up to 6 h). Conclusions: The results show that high TPC correlates with AO status and sapropel extracts with higher concentrations of HA exhibit greater AO activity and promote in vitro cell growth, suggesting a perspective use for short-term topical therapeutic skin applications. However, higher concentrations over longer durations showed cytotoxic effects, indicating the need for further investigation.

Everyday Prevention: The Impact of Daily Comprehensive Skin Assessments on Pressure Injury Healing in the General ICU.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of daily versus weekly comprehensive skin assessments on wound healing status in patients with pressure injuries (PIs) treated in the general ICU. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at a foundation hospital from November 15, 2022, to March 15, 2023. The sample consisted of 193 patients with PIs who met the inclusion criteria. The Braden Scale, Nutritional Risk Scale 2002 (NRS-2002), and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) were used. The intervention group (n = 98) underwent comprehensive skin assessment every day, whereas the control group (n = 95) followed routine procedures. The study findings were reported according to TREND (Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomized Designs) guidelines. RESULTS: Patients were older adults, with a mean age of 70 ± 15.45 years in the intervention group and 71 ± 13.20 years in the control group. The mean NRS-2002 score was 3 ± 2.01 in the intervention group and 2 ± 1.38 in the control group. Medical device-related PI incidence was high in both groups (intervention: 36.8%, control: 24.5%). In the intervention (14.3%) and control (50%) groups, PIs developed mostly due to antiembolic stockings. Deep-tissue PIs were the most common (intervention: 56.8%, control: 62.2%). The last PUSH scores decreased in both groups. The difference between the PUSH scores of the intervention and control groups was statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrate the critical role of daily comprehensive skin assessment in the healing process of PIs. Especially in ICUs, the study provides compelling evidence for the need to prioritize and implement regular skin assessments to prevent PIs and support the healing process.

Reducing Hospitalizations and Multidrug-Resistant Organisms via Regional Decolonization in Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

Importance: Infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization, and health care costs. Regional interventions may be advantageous in mitigating MDROs and associated infections. Objective: To evaluate whether implementation of a decolonization collaborative is associated with reduced regional MDRO prevalence, incident clinical cultures, infection-related hospitalizations, costs, and deaths. Design, Setting, and Participants: This quality improvement study was conducted from July 1, 2017, to July 31, 2019, across 35 health care facilities in Orange County, California. Exposures: Chlorhexidine bathing and nasal iodophor antisepsis for residents in long-term care and hospitalized patients in contact precautions (CP). Main Outcomes and Measures: Baseline and end of intervention MDRO point prevalence among participating facilities; incident MDRO (nonscreening) clinical cultures among participating and nonparticipating facilities; and infection-related hospitalizations and associated costs and deaths among residents in participating and nonparticipating nursing homes (NHs). Results: Thirty-five facilities (16 hospitals, 16 NHs, 3 long-term acute care hospitals [LTACHs]) adopted the intervention. Comparing decolonization with baseline periods among participating facilities, the mean (SD) MDRO prevalence decreased from 63.9% (12.2%) to 49.9% (11.3%) among NHs, from 80.0% (7.2%) to 53.3% (13.3%) among LTACHs (odds ratio [OR] for NHs and LTACHs, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.40-0.57), and from 64.1% (8.5%) to 55.4% (13.8%) (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93) among hospitalized patients in CP. When comparing decolonization with baseline among NHs, the mean (SD) monthly incident MDRO clinical cultures changed from 2.7 (1.9) to 1.7 (1.1) among participating NHs, from 1.7 (1.4) to 1.5 (1.1) among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 30.4%; 95% CI, 16.4%-42.1%), from 25.5 (18.6) to 25.0 (15.9) among participating hospitals, from 12.5 (10.1) to 14.3 (10.2) among nonparticipating hospitals (group × period interaction reduction, 12.9%; 95% CI, 3.3%-21.5%), and from 14.8 (8.6) to 8.2 (6.1) among LTACHs (all facilities participating; 22.5% reduction; 95% CI, 4.4%-37.1%). For NHs, the rate of infection-related hospitalizations per 1000 resident-days changed from 2.31 during baseline to 1.94 during intervention among participating NHs, and from 1.90 to 2.03 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 26.7%; 95% CI, 19.0%-34.5%). Associated hospitalization costs per 1000 resident-days changed from $64 651 to $55 149 among participating NHs and from $55 151 to $59 327 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 26.8%; 95% CI, 26.7%-26.9%). Associated hospitalization deaths per 1000 resident-days changed from 0.29 to 0.25 among participating NHs and from 0.23 to 0.24 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 23.7%; 95% CI, 4.5%-43.0%). Conclusions and Relevance: A regional collaborative involving universal decolonization in long-term care facilities and targeted decolonization among hospital patients in CP was associated with lower MDRO carriage, infections, hospitalizations, costs, and deaths.

A review of the topical management of acne and its associated sequelae in the Asia-Pacific region with a spotlight on trifarotene.

Acne, a highly prevalent skin disease, can be particularly bothersome for patients of Asian background because of its impact on self-confidence and social interactions. In addition to active acne lesions, some patients may develop sequelae such as scarring, macular/postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, or erythema. The tendency of Asian skin to develop sequelae because of its increased susceptibility to irritation, cultural preferences for lighter skin phototypes, and differences in skincare regimens may all contribute to the increased burden of acne. Moreover, many Asia-Pacific countries do not have their own guidelines for acne management, and those that do often have no schedule in place for regular updates. In this article, we provide a critical review of the published guidance for the management of acne and its sequelae in the Asia-Pacific region, identifying gaps in current recommendations that could be addressed to enhance standards of acne care in Asia-Pacific countries. Along with highlighting the importance of a comprehensive skincare regimen to increase treatment efficacy and adherence, we discuss topical retinoids and retinoid combination options in the acne armamentarium that may be beneficial for sequelae prevention and management, such as adapalene 0.3% ± benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, tretinoin 0.05%, tazarotene 0.1%, and trifarotene 0.005%. In particular, trifarotene 0.005% has been observed to significantly reduce acne scar counts in a Phase 4 study. The recent data highlight the need to establish up-to-date guidance for acne and acne sequelae management in Asia-Pacific countries to provide optimal care to Asian patients.

Importance of treating acne sequelae in skin of color: 6-month phase IV study of trifarotene with an appropriate skincare routine including UV protection in acne-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

BACKGROUND: Acne-induced hyperpigmentation (AIH) may accompany acne vulgaris (AV) inflammation in all skin phototypes. Trifarotene has shown depigmenting properties in vivo. This study evaluated trifarotene plus skincare because it is increasingly recognized that holistic AV management should include skincare and treatments. METHODS: This is a phase IV double-blind, parallel-group study of patients (13-35 years) with moderate AV and AIH treated with trifarotene (N = 60) or vehicle (N = 63) plus skincare regimen (moisturizer, cleanser, and sunscreen) for 24 weeks. Assessments included the AIH overall disease severity (ODS) score, post-AV hyperpigmentation index (PAHPI), exit interviews, photography, and acne assessments. Standard safety assessments were included. RESULTS: Trifarotene 50 µg/g cream improved significantly from baseline in ODS score versus vehicle (-1.6 vs. -1.1, P = 0.03) at Week 12, but scores were comparable between groups at Week 24 (primary endpoint). Trifarotene had a better reduction in PAHPI score at Week 24 (-18.9% vs. -11.3% vehicle, P < 0.01). Lesion count reductions were higher with trifarotene at Week 12 versus vehicle (P < 0.001) and at Week 24 (P < 0.05), as were IGA success rates versus vehicle at Weeks 12 (P < 0.05) and 24 (P < 0.05). Patients agreed that the skincare regimen contributed to less irritation, making treatment adherence easier. Photography showed improvements in pigmentation and erythema across all skin types. AEs were more common in the vehicle group versus trifarotene (30.2 vs. 16.7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In all skin phototypes, there was more rapid improvement in the ODS and PAHPI scores with trifarotene by Weeks 12 and 24, respectively. The combination of trifarotene and skincare correlated with high patient satisfaction and adherence to the treatment protocol.