Comparative study of the effect of 50% pyruvic and 30% salicylic peels on the skin lipid film in patients with acne vulgaris

Abstract

Pyruvic (alfa-keto acid) and salicylic (beta-hydroxy acid) acids are superficial peels frequently used in patients with acne vulgaris. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of 50% pyruvic and 30% salicylic peels on facial sebum secretion in patients with acne vulgaris, aged 13-30. The level of secreted sebum was determined in 20 men and women. Ten patients were treated with 50% pyruvic acid and the remaining 10 with 30% salicylic acid. Each peel was applied five times at 2-week intervals. The sebum measurements were taken in the T- and U-zones using a Sebumeter SM 815 (Courage & Khazaka, Germany). The last, sixth measurement was taken 2weeks after the treatment. A statistically significant decrease in the level of secreted sebum in both U- and T- zones was observed in the patients studied after the third application of 50% pyruvic peel and the second application of 30% salicylic peel. Two weeks following the completion of therapy, sebumetric measurements demonstrated a greater reduction in the facial skin lipid film among the patients treated with salicylic peel. Peels with 50% pyruvic acid and 30% salicylic acid are the procedures that significantly contributed to a decrease in the level of secreted sebum on the facial skin surface in the group of patients studied. A greater therapeutic effect was observed following 30% salicylic peel, which might be associated with its high lipophilic properties and easier penetration through the lipid barriers of the epidermis.