Multimodal Clinical Imaging Assessment of the Outcome in Mild-to-Moderate Acne: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The quality of outcome assessment in acne studies has been either subjective/insufficient or time consuming through the ordinary lesion counting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of multimodal clinical imaging (MCI), a combination of imaging technology and computation, in the assessment of acne lesions in a clinical study setting. METHODS: A prospective, monocentric, single-group open study designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a cosmetic product (IP/SG) in subjects with mild-to-moderate facial acne by classical clinical counting (CCC) - change in the total/inflammatory/noninflammatory acne lesion number compared with baseline (D0) - Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) and self-reported outcomes. Concomitantly, MCI was administered. The study was performed for 12 weeks (D84) with a 4-week follow-up (D112). RESULTS: Mean age of patients (n = 49) was 18.2 ± 3.7 years (range 13-25). The mean acne duration was 3.8 ± 2.8 years. The total number of lesions did not differ significantly between D0/D84 by both CCC and MCI. However, the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) and uncomfortable feeling improved at D28/D0, the perception of oily skin improved at D14/D0, and the perception of sticky skin improved from D28/D0 to D56/D0. Deterioration was detected between D84/D0 and D112/D0, namely after product discontinuation. Interestingly, a change in trend was recorded for acne lesions at D14/D0 by MCI but not by CCC. CONCLUSION: MCI, applied for the first time in a small clinical study setting, is at least as reliable as CCC and may allow for a sensitive longitudinal evaluation of single acne lesions and their response to products, especially in conditions where clinical evaluation reaches its limits.

Assessment of a new biological complex efficacy on dysseborrhea, inflammation, and Propionibacterium acnes proliferation.

INTRODUCTION: Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit triggered by Propionibacterium acnes. A bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol (BGM) complex has been developed to provide patients with acne with a specific dermocosmetic to be used adjunctively with conventional treatments. OBJECTIVE: The aim of these studies was to assess the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative potential of BGM complex and its individual compounds as well as its impact on sebum composition. METHODS: The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative potential of BGM complex and its compounds was assessed through in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical studies. The clinical benefit of BGM complex formulated in a cream was assessed in subjects prone to acne through sebum composition analysis and photometric assessments. RESULTS: Results from the studies showed that the BGM complex has significant antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties. At similar concentrations, bakuchiol has up to twice the antioxidative potential than vitamin E. In subjects, BGM complex regulated the sebum composition in acne patients by increasing the level of sapienic and linolenic acid and reducing the level of oleic acid. The reduced number of porphyrins on the skin surface showed that it is also effective against P. acnes. CONCLUSION: BGM complex provides a complete adjunctive care in patients with acne by targeting etiopathogenic factors of acne: dysseborrhea, inflammation, and P. acnes proliferation.

Efficacy and tolerance assessment of a new type of dermocosmetic in infants and children with moderate atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory and pruritic skin disorder. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and tolerance of a new emollient (SBT complex) in subjects with moderate AD. METHODS: Subjects received twice daily for 168 days (6 months) either SBT complex or emollient base adjunctively or alternately with topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. Evolution of AD was assessed throughout the study using usual AD assessment criteria including SCORAD and PO-SCORAD. Quality of life was assessed at Day 0 and Day 168. RESULTS: At Day 168, a significant decrease with SBT complex was observed for the SCORAD and the PO-SCORAD scores (P < 0.05), the primary efficacy criteria. A total of 76% of SBT complex subjects did not relapse and time-to-relapse increased compared to the emollient base subjects. Intensity, dryness, and quality of life (P < 0.05) had improved in subjects using SBT complex. The product was well tolerated with less physical and functional signs in the SBT than in the emollient base group. CONCLUSION: The new emollient dermocosmetic SBT complex applied adjunctively or alternately with topical AD treatments significantly improved AD without any safety concerns. SBT complex may play an important role in the restoration of the natural skin barrier.