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Tretinoin gel microsphere, 0.1%, is a highly effective anti-acne medication formulated with sponge-like microspheres encapsulating the active ingredient, tretinoin. In addition to minimizing cutaneous irritation, this system may also reduce facial shine. This single-center, doubleblind, half-face study evaluated the potential of tretinoin gel microsphere, 0.1%, to reduce the appearance of facial shine compared to tretinoin cream, 0.025%. Thirty-five subjects (ages 12 to 24 years) with moderate acne vulgaris and moderate facial oiliness, were evaluated after 4 consecutive days of product use. On sides treated with tretinoin gel microsphere, 0. 1 %, investigators found significantly reduced facial shine at 3 and 6 hours posttreatment. Subjects' self-evaluations revealed a significant reduction in facial shine at 3 hours posttreatment. Photographic analyses showed reductions in facial shine for both treatments, but decreases were greater on tretinoin gel microsphere, 0. 1 %-treated sides. Both therapies were well tolerated, and no adverse events occurred. Tretinoin gel microsphere, 0. 1%, has the added benefit of reducing the appearance of facial shine, which is a frequent concern in acne patients.
Acne vulgaris, an inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous units of the face, neck, and trunk,1 is the most common skin disorder treated by physicians.2 Although a variety of topical and systemic prescription medications, as well as topical over-the-counter drugs, are used to treat acne vulgaris,3 retinoids are the only topical anti-acne agents believed to be effective against the microcomedone, the precursor lesion in acne vulgaris.4,5 The effectiveness of topical tretinoin, the first of the retinoids to become commercially available, is well established, yet the associated skin irritation may be a limiting factor in some patients.6,7 Tretinoin gel microsphere, 0.1%, a tretinoin microsponge formulation, was developed with the goal of minimizing cutaneous irritation while maintaining efficacy.6 In this novel formulation, the active ingredient is entrapped in porous polymeric microspheres that serve as a reservoir, releasing the active ingredient into the vehicle, and thus reducing irritation.6 The present study evaluated whether the sponge-like quality of tretinoin gel microsphere, 0.1%, reduces the appearance of facial shine compared to tretinoin cream, 0.025%.
Methods
Study Sample-Subjects with moderate facial acne vulgaris [10 to 50 inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules, no nodular lesions)] were eligible to enroll in a single-center, double-blind, half-face study to compare the potential...