Effective Skin Care Guidance for Patients with Acne Vulgaris after Standard Treatment

With the introduction of new drugs, the treatment of acne vulgaris has improved dramatically; however, there remains a considerable gap between treatment outcomes and patients’ treatment goals. This study aimed to determine whether dermatologists’ guidance on appropriate skincare for skin symptoms such as post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which are not covered by acne treatment, leads to an improvement in patients’ skin condition and patient satisfaction. Japanese women who had completed standard treatment for acne vulgaris and those with mild symptoms not requiring treatment were included in the study. The participants received instructions about skin care at the beginning of the study, which they continued to apply for 6 weeks. At the start and end of the study, participants were examined by a dermatologist; afterward, skin measurements, including skin color, skin surface lipid content, and image analysis by VISIA^® Evolution, analysis of stratum corneum obtained from the skin surface, and Skindex-16 questionnaire for assessing quality of life (QOL), were performed. The following showed significant improvements: PIH score, number of inflammatory acne lesions, and number of non-inflammatory acne lesions observed via skin examination; skin surface lipid content and values of L* and a* obtained via instrumental measurement; n number of pore, texture, red spot, and pigmented spot obtained via by image analysis; and degree of multilayer exfoliation and interleukin-1α determined by analysis of epidermal stratum corneum. QOL measurement using Skindex-16 also improved significantly. Appropriate skin care guidance following standard acne vulgaris treatment is helpful in achieving patients’ treatment goals.