Truncal Acne Research Articles

What's New After NICE Acne Guidelines.

Acne remains one of the most common inflammatory dermatoses seen worldwide. There are significant challenges when managing acne relating to a variety of factors, including (1) lack of consensus on the use of the numerous available grading systems and outcome measures, (2) appreciation of the numerous areas that relate to severity, (3) the chronic nature of acne which requires a longitudinal approach to management (including both facial and truncal disease), and (4) the need to target acne early to avoid physical and psychosocial scarring. Consideration of these aspects when managing acne should result in improved outcomes. Acne guidelines review the available evidence based on robust clinical trials and are usually supplemented with some expert opinion when evidence is not available. In this paper, the UK Acne Working Group reflects on the latest National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) acne guidelines with a goal of providing additional practical insights. The group have identified areas where new evidence has now become available since the formulation of the NICE acne guidelines. This publication considers newly approved acne medications in the UK, guidance on assessing acne severity, approaches to managing truncal acne, acne sequelae, and adult female acne with hormonal therapies.

50810 Beyond the Face: Treatment of Truncal Acne with Daily Use Regimen of OTC Exfoliating Cleanser and Soothing Body Moisturizer

50810 Beyond the Face: Treatment of Truncal Acne with Daily Use Regimen of OTC Exfoliating Cleanser and Soothing Body Moisturizer

Role of Trifarotene in the Management of Acne in Indian Patients: Insights From an Indian Dermatology Experts' Meeting.

Acne vulgaris, a prevalent inflammatory skin condition, significantly impacts individuals worldwide, particularly adolescents and adults. Its chronic nature, associated sequelae, and psychosocial impact underscore the substantial burden it poses. Current treatment guidelines primarily address facial acne, with limited guidance on managing truncal acne. Personalized approaches are increasingly recognized as essential for tailoring treatments to individual patient needs. This review integrates insights from an Indian Dermatology Experts' Meeting, featuring perspectives from nine leading dermatologists. Discussions centered on analyzing acne's burden, its effects on quality of life (QoL), unmet needs in management, trifarotene's role in Indian therapy, anticipated challenges, and the importance of ancillary care. The experts highlighted acne's profound impact on patients' QoL and identified gaps in current management guidelines, especially concerning truncal acne. Trifarotene, a fourth-generation topical retinoid approved by the FDA and Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for facial and truncal acne, demonstrated safety and efficacy across age groups. This synthesis of expert perspectives underscores the need for personalized acne management. Trifarotene emerges as a promising therapeutic option but challenges remain, particularly in optimizing ancillary care to minimize treatment-related adverse effects. Addressing these issues will enhance treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction in acne management, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches in clinical practice.

The Right Formula for Acne: Importance of Vehicle Formulation in Tazarotene 0.045% Lotion Design, Application, Tolerability, and Efficacy

The vehicles used for topical dermatological treatments can significantly contribute to treatment effects while also delivering ingredients to maintain skin barrier function and reduce irritation. Tazarotene 0.045% lotion was developed using proprietary polymeric emulsion technology to provide uniform and efficient delivery of the active ingredient as well as improved safety and tolerability compared to higher-dose tazarotene formulations. The lotion vehicle additionally provides rapid and sustained improvements in moisturization and skin barrier function with patient-friendly application and cosmetic properties. Compared with trifarotene 0.005% cream, tazarotene 0.045% lotion demonstrated ∼30% greater spreadability and a lower potential for irritation. In clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies, tazarotene 0.045% lotion demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of facial and truncal acne and improved skin oiliness. Facial acne improvements were similar among study participants grouped by sex, race, ethnicity, or age. In a head-to-head study, efficacy was comparable to tazarotene 0.1% cream with approximately half the rate of treatment-emergent adverse events. Tazarotene 0.045% lotion is a beneficial acne treatment option for patients of varying ages, races, ethnicities, and skin types, delivered in a formulation that can be easily used on the face, back, and chest.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the combination of doxycycline and trifarotene for managing acne vulgaris of moderate to severe severity: a study in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV), affecting diverse skin types, prompts a uniform therapeutic approach, with options ranging from topical to systemic treatments. Trifarotene, a fourth-generation topical retinoid, offers precise skin-specific effects, especially in facial and truncal acne treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of doxycycline and trifarotene for managing AV of moderate to severe severity. Methods: At Mymensingh medical college hospital, the study enrolled 100 individuals to evaluate a new treatment for moderate AV from Jan-Jun 2023. Treatment comprised oral doxycycline (100 mg) and topical trifarotene (0.005% w/w) over 2 months, following a stratified randomization process. Evaluation criteria included clinical scores, lesion counts, and safety parameters, analyzed using SPSS v20. Results: Study on doxycycline and trifarotene for moderate to severe acne shows promising results. Participants, mainly aged 15-25 exhibit diverse demographics and balanced gender ratio. Significant improvement on investigator's global assessment (IGA) scale is noted, with 35% experiencing notable progress at 9-10 weeks, alongside reduction in Propionibacterium acnes growth and positive patient feedback with 36% reporting 'good' response. Conclusions: The study on doxycycline and trifarotene for moderate acne exhibits robust methodology with adherence to established practices and stratified randomization. Results, assessed via IGA, demonstrate promising efficacy and safety, providing insights for diverse skin types' acne management enhancement.

Whey protein and male acne: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Acne vulgaris (AV) exacerbation after whey protein (WP) consumption remains inconclusive among experts. To investigate the association between WP consumption and acne severity in men with acne. A noninferiority trial was conducted in men with mild to moderate facial and/or truncal acne. After randomization, participants in an intervention group took daily WP 30 g with a non-WP nutritional supplement 18 g (WP group, n = 25), while the control group took a non-WP nutritional supplement 46 g (non-WP group, n = 24). At each follow-up appointment, investigators evaluated acne count (total acne lesions, comedonal lesions, and inflammatory lesions) and severity. Forty-nine participants had a mean age of 19.7 years (standard deviation [SD], 0.9) and 20.3 years (SD, 1.4) in the WP and non-WP groups, respectively. The mean differences in the facial and truncal total acne lesions for the WP and non-WP group were -5.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], -13.18 to 1.19, p = 0.09) and -2.18 (95% CI, -11.83 to 7.48, p = 0.65), respectively. For severity changes, only one (4.3%) participant in the non-WP group reported an increase in the Investigator Global Assessment scale of at least two levels. In this 6-month trial, men with acne who undertook WP supplementation showed a noninferior difference in the changes in total acne lesions and severity of facial and truncal acne compared with the non-WP group.

43185 Efficacy of Sarecycline for Truncal Acne in Patients With Skin of Color: Post Hoc Analysis of Phase 3 Trials

43185 Efficacy of Sarecycline for Truncal Acne in Patients With Skin of Color: Post Hoc Analysis of Phase 3 Trials

Manage truncal acne and scarring the same as for facial acne, but more trunk-specific therapies are warranted

Manage truncal acne and scarring the same as for facial acne, but more trunk-specific therapies are warranted

P60 Intralesional steroids vs. liquid nitrogen cryotherapy vs. 595 nm pulsed dye laser in the management of chest keloids: a comparative study

Abstract Chest keloids often result in cosmetic disfigurement, contractures, pruritus and pain. Inflammatory truncal acne often triggers chest keloid. Management is often challenging as they are relatively resistant to treatment and recurrence rates are high. The objective of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg mL−1) vs. liquid nitrogen cryotherapy vs. 595 nm pulsed dye laser in the management of chest keloids. We conducted a comparative prospective study in a total of 42 patients with chest keloids from July 2021 to July 2022. These patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups via the envelope method. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to assess the clinical efficacy of the treatment modality. Patients were scored at the initiation of therapy and every 4 weeks until 16 weeks. Seven patients were lost to follow-up (response rate 83%). Treatment arms consisted of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (n = 10), liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (n = 11) and pulsed dye laser (n = 14). There was a near-equal sex distribution of chest keloids (male-to-female ratio 1.21 : 1), with 15 patients (35.7%) having additional keloids in other body parts. The mean (SD) age of patients with chest keloids was 27.2 (13.6) years with a common incidence in those aged 20–30 years. Comparison of mean VSS as baseline and at 16 weeks revealed a statistically significant decrease in the score in all three treatment arms (P < 0.05). Comparison between the three different treatment arms revealed pulsed dye laser to be the most effective modality in decreasing VSS at the 16-week follow-up (Anova followed by post hoc analysis with Tukey’s test). With regard to the adverse clinical event profile, acneiform eruptions were reported following steroid injections, blistering and depigmentation were reported following liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, and blistering was reported following pulsed dye laser therapy. Thus, the pulsed dye laser (595 nm) appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment modality in the management of chest keloids.

Truncal Acne in Adolescents and Young Adults: Self-reported Perception

No epidemiological information about truncal acne is available. This study assessed the self-reported impact of truncal acne in adolescents and young adults, using an internet survey in France in 1,001 adolescents and young adults with truncal acne. Participants' mean age was 18.6 ± 4.3 years, 75.7% were females, 52.9% reported severe and 16.0% very severe truncal acne; 90.0% of participants with truncal acne also reported past or ongoing facial acne. Stress (46.3%), a diet high in lipids (33.2%), and sleeplessness (27.0%) were considered to be triggers of truncal acne; 44.7% consulted at least 1 healthcare professional and 28.1% searched the internet or social network for information about truncal acne. Of subjects with truncal acne, 68.4% thought constantly about their condition. Overall, 79.9% of the participants with severe acne vs 41.8% with mild or moderate acne: 41.8% thought about their acne all the time (p < 0.0001). Truncal acne heavily or very heavily impacted quality of life of 38.7% of participants. It impacted females significantly more than males (p < 0.0001). Significantly (p < 0.001) more females than males reported facial acne. A significant (p = 0.0067) association was observed between the severities of facial and truncal acne. The self-perceived impact of truncal acne in adolescents and young adults highlights the need for information as well as reinforced medical and psychological care.

Management of Acne Vulgaris With Trifarotene.

Topical retinoids have an essential role in treatment of acne. Trifarotene, a topical retinoid selective for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) γ, is the most recent retinoid approved for treatment of acne. RAR-γ is the most common isoform of RARs in skin, and the strong selectivity of trifarotene for RAR-γ translates to efficacy in low concentration. Trifarotene, like other topical retinoids, acts by increasing keratinocyte differentiation and decreasing proliferation, which reduces hyperkeratinization. Retinoids have also been shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways via effects on leukocyte migration, toll-like receptors, and Activator Protein (AP)-1. Large-scale randomized, controlled clinical trials have demonstrated trifarotene to be safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in reducing both comedones and papules/pustules of acne. However, unlike all other retinoids, trifarotene is the first topical retinoid with rigorous clinical data on safety and efficacy in truncal acne. Data supporting use of trifarotene to manage acne are reviewed in this publication.

Prospective Evaluation of a Topical Botanical Skin Care Regimen on Mild to Moderate Facial and Truncal Acne and Mood

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory condition that can be associated with profound psychosocial impacts. Conventional treatment includes topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and antimicrobials, and some may cause irritation and skin dryness. In this 8-week open-label study, we examined the effects of a botanical skin care regimen (Codex Labs Shaant Balancing regimen) on mild to moderate facial and truncal acne. Twenty-four male and female subjects between the ages of 12 and 45 years were assessed for eligibility, 20 were enrolled, and 15 completed all study visits. Facial and truncal acne lesion counts, skin hydration, sebum excretion rate, and mood were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Total facial lesion counts (inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions) decreased by 20.5% at week 4 (p = 0.06) and by 25.2% at week 8 (p < 0.05). Inflammatory lesion counts on the trunk were found to decrease at week 8 relative to baseline by 48% (p < 0.05). Forehead sebum excretion rate decreased by 40% at week 4 (p = 0.07) and 22% at week 8 (p = 0.08), and cheek skin hydration increased by 27.6% at week 4 (p = 0.14) and 65% at week 8 (p = 0.10). Participants also experienced significant improvement in components of a positive effect, such as feeling "strong" and "inspired", and a decrease in negative effects, such as feeling "irritable." Overall, the botanical skin care regimen was found to be well-tolerated. Our study suggests that a botanical skin care regimen may reduce facial and truncal acne lesion counts, increase skin hydration, reduce sebum production, and augment positive effects and moods in those with mild to moderate facial and truncal acne.

Effect of Sarecycline on the Acne Symptom and Impact Scale and Concerns in Moderate-to-Severe Truncal Acne in Open-Label Pilot Study.

Truncal acne is common, and the psychosocial burden may be underestimated as patients most often complain of facial acne. The Acne Symptom and Impact Scale (ASIS) is a 17-item patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure designed to assess the signs and impacts of acne vulgaris. ASIS has previously been validated in a prospective, non-interventional study as a reliable PRO instrument for facial acne. In a pilot study, ASIS, and an additional 10 new questions that focused on the concerns of patients (ASIS-C), were given to 10 patients with moderate-to-severe truncal acne vulgaris who received 3 months of monotherapy with oral sarecycline, a narrow-spectrum tetracycline-class antibiotic. ASIS-C questionnaires were also given to 10 acne-free control subjects. Average ASIS-C answers decreased by 4% for Signs, 15% for Impact, and 16% for Concerns in the 10 patients, with greater decreases of 5% for Signs, 20% for Impact, and 19% for Concerns in the 60% of patients whose truncal acne was clear or almost clear after 12 weeks of sarecycline treatment. In this study, sarecycline was effective in reducing the psychosocial burden associated with truncal acne based on the ASIS-C PRO measures.

Assessment of the Benefit of a Deep Cleansing Gel Containing Salicylic Acid 2%, Zinc Gluconate 0.2% and Lipohydroxy Acids 0.05% in Patients with Mild to Moderate Truncal Acne: Results from an Exploratory Study

Acne is a skin condition of the pilosebaceous unit that affects mainly the face, chest and trunk. Approximately 50% of subjects with facial acne also have acne of the trunk. This study investigated the clinical benefit of a cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% in truncal acne after 84 days of daily use. A single center, open label, non-randomized study with 51 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne was conducted. Thirty-five (35) subjects completed the study; mean age was 23 years. Inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and local tolerance were assessed at baseline, Day 42 and Day 84 and total lesion count was calculated. The total lesion count was significantly reduced (p<0.05) after 42 days (-21.5%) and 84 days (-56.3%). Non-inflammatory lesions were significantly decreased after 84 days (-64.0%) only, while inflammatory lesions were decreased at Day 42 (-29.2%), and Day 84 (-48.2%). A statistically significant skin barrier improvement was observed at Day 84 (-21.26%). No adverse events or relevant local intolerance were reported. The use of the cleansing gel studied was effective in improving mild to moderate truncal acne and contributed to the skin barrier improvement. The product was well tolerated. NCT05584150.

Combination Therapy with Clindamycin and Rifampicin for Severe Truncal Acne: A Case Report.

Combination Therapy with Clindamycin and Rifampicin for Severe Truncal Acne: A Case Report.

Truncal Acne and Scarring: A Comprehensive Review of Current Medical and Cosmetic Approaches to Treatment and Patient Management.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders worldwide. It typically affects skin areas with a high density of sebaceous glands such as the face, upper arms, chest, and/or back. Historically, the majority of research efforts have focused on facial acne vulgaris, even though approximately half of patients with facial lesions demonstrate truncal involvement. Truncal acne vulgaris is challenging to treat and poses a significant psychosocial burden on patients. Despite these characteristics, studies specifically examining truncal acne vulgaris are limited, with treatment guidelines largely derived from facial protocols. Therefore, truncal acne remains an understudied clinical problem. Here, we provide a clinically focused review on the epidemiology, evaluation, and available treatment options for truncal acne vulgaris. In doing so, we highlight knowledge gaps with the goal of spurring further investigation into the management of truncal acne vulgaris.

Tazarotene 0.045% Lotion for Truncal Acne: Efficacy, Tolerability, and Spreadability

Tazarotene 0.045% Lotion for Truncal Acne: Efficacy, Tolerability, and Spreadability

35359 New clinical methodology directed for lesion count in patients with truncal acne

New clinical methodology directed for lesion count in patients with truncal acne. Acne is a skin condition of the pilosebaceous unit that affects mainly the face, chest and trunk. Most studies focus on facial acne. Few papers specifically address truncal acne. Nevertheless, approximately 50% patients with facial acne also have acne of the trunk, and all truncal areas may be affected. The study objective was to evaluate a new methodology to evaluate lesion count in truncal acne. Using as reference the methodology of lesion count developed by Lucky3 for facial acne, an individual repositioning mask was used to count acne lesions on the chest and back, including noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions. A transparent film paper was positioned on the upper back. Using a ballpoint pen, the dermatologist delineated the area between shoulders and scapula tip where lesion counting was to be performed. On the chest, the same procedure was implemented delineating the area between clavicle and xyphoid. Suitability of the repositioning mask technique was confirmed in a single center, open label, nonrandomized study in 51 subjects with a mean age of 23 years (min 13; max 30), evaluating the efficacy of a cleaning gel treatment of truncal acne over a period of 84 days. In this study, the dermatologist could adequately assess the improvement of truncal acne over time, since the same region delineated by the individual mask was consistently investigated. This methodology can be implemented in all clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of products for truncal acne treatment.

34086 Rapid response of truncal acne with oral sarecycline

Truncal acne affects 60-70% of acne patients and larger surface areas than facial acne. Topical treatment application becomes more difficult. Oral sarecycline, a narrow-spectrum, third-generation tetracycline-class antibiotic, is FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 9 and older. Sarecycline’s potent anti-inflammatory activity, activity against Cutibacterium acnes and clinically relevant Gram-positive bacteria, but reduced activity against enteric Gram-negative bacteria, may contribute to its favorable safety and tolerability profile.

33168 Visual vulnerability: Daily burden and psycosocial impact of acne and video calling during COVID-19

Background/Objectives: Acne is a common inflammatory skin disorder in both adolescence and adulthood. Facial and truncal acne adversely impact emotional well-being and daily activities. Acne sufferer perspectives were investigated to understand disease burden and psychosocial impact associated with acne and video calling during COVID-19, as little information exists on acne’s burden and psychosocial impact specifically related to video calls.