Background: Both salicylic acid (SA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) have proven efficacy with goodsafety profiles in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Objectives: This study compared the clinical efficacy and safety of 25% TCA and 30% SA peels in thetreatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris.
Methods: Patients with mild or moderate acne vulgaris were randomized into 2 groups of 25 personseach, and treated with either the TCA peel or the SA peel at 2-week intervals for 12 weeks. Evaluationof active acne was done by individual lesion counts (comedones, papules and pustules) and calculationof the Michaelsson acne score (MAS).
Results: Both peels led to significant decrease in individual lesion counts and MAS compared to baselinevalues, without significant differences between the treatment groups. Thus, the peels had equivalentefficacy against acne vulgaris. The TCA peel was better in treating non-inflammatory lesions,while the SA peel was better for inflammatory lesions, but the differences were not significant. Noserious adverse effects were recorded, but more patients in the TCA peel group experienced burningand stinging sensations.
Conclusion: The efficacy of 25% TCA is comparable to that of 30% SA in mild-to-moderate acnevulgaris, but safety and tolerability were better with the SA peel than TCA peel.
A Comparative Study of the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Lorazepam and Chlordiazepoxide in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome
