Combining superpulse dynamic CO2 laser and supramolecular salicylic acid in the treatment of dense comedones with higher clearance in a shorter time: A prospective, randomized, split-face clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives

Dense comedones are common in patients with acne vulgaris, and promoting treatment can prevent the progression of acne lesions. However, the efficacy-time conflict makes the treatment challenging and the medication options are limited by the side effects.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five patients with symmetrical dense comedones were enrolled and the two sides of the face were randomly assigned to receive 30% supramolecular salicylic acid (SSA) combined with CO₂ laser or CO₂ laser monotherapy at an interval of 2 weeks for six treatment sessions. Comedones count, porphyrin index (PI), texture index (TI), melanin index, erythema index, hydration index (HI), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and side effects were recorded at each visit till the 12th week.

Results

Thirty-one patients completed the study. Comedones on the combined-SSA side were reduced more after six treatments, that the mean reduction rate of the combined-SSA side was 85.76%, and that of the CO₂ laser-treated side was 62.32% (P_between < 0.001). Combining SSA also showed a better effect on reducing PI and TI than CO₂ laser singly (P_between < 0.001). TEWL and HI between the two sides showed no significant differences after treatments. No permanent or severe side effects were observed on both side.

Conclusions

The treatment combined CO₂ laser with 30% SSA dealt with the efficacy-time conflict while significantly reducing comedones and improving skin texture in 12 weeks and no serious adverse reactions occurred.

Limitations

It is a single-center study and the number of subjects was small.