BackgroundOne of the ways to treat acne is by using chemical peels. Salicylic, glycolic and pyruvic acids due to their keratolytic and antibacterial properties are often recommended for acne patients.AimsThe aim of the study was to compare the effect of a preparation containing glycolic and salicylic acids with pyruvic acid.Patients/Methods14 women diagnosed with acne took part in the study. The facial treatment area was divided into two parts: right (a preparation containing 50% pyruvic acid) and left side ( a preparation containing glycolic and salicylic acids). A series of four treatments was performed at 2‐week intervals. Skin parameters, namely hydration, sebum secretion and skin colour were measured.ResultsAs a result of using 50% pyruvic acid, the hydration of the right side of the face increased statistically and there was a decrease in the amount of melanin in the epidermis. On the left side of the face, there was an increase in skin hydration after using a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids. The increase in skin hydration on the left side of the chin and nose was not statistically significant. The use of the mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids affected the skin colour on the left side of the face, on the forehead, cheek and nose.ConclusionChemical peels affect a wide range of pathological factors of acne. A mixture of acids yields fewer side effects than a single acid used in high concentration, but the therapeutic effects are comparable.

Topical and oral antibiotic therapy is also a popular method of treatment. The effectiveness of this method is limited by the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. Over the decades since the introduction of antibiotics to treat acne, the resistance levels of bacteria have changed. This defense mechanism is developed evolutionarily. Modifications of antibiotic receptor sites, alteration of drug influx/efflux, or enzymatic degradation are common mechanisms used by bacteria to initiate and strengthen internal antibiotic resistance. The basic chromophores used in light therapy are hemoglobin, melanin, water bound to proteins, and porphyrins. Hemoglobin absorbs light mainly at 580 nm, while melanin absorbs the entire visible spectral range (400-750 nm). Porphyrins are aromatic compounds, classified as photosensitizing substances, intensively absorbing blue light, and to a lesser extent in long visible bands, such as orange and red light. Using IPL makes it possible to cover the maximum light absorption of porphyrins and hemoglobin, therefore it can be an effective tool in the treatment of inflammatory lesions in acne vulgaris. In view of the effectiveness of light therapy and its effect even on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is worth considering the possibility of using light therapy instead of antibiotic therapy. Due to the increasing resistance of bacteria to antimicrobials, they should be used with caution and as a last resort. The high-energy light treatment act only locally (unlike with antibiotics taken orally) and on a chromophore, such as melanin, hemoglobin, or porphyrins.

Background The use of high‐frequency ultrasound for noninvasive assessment of skin during chemical peeling therapies may be a useful tool. Aims To determine whether high‐frequency ultrasound is a useful tool to noninvasive assessment of skin and evaluation therapy progress. Patients/Methods The 14 women underwent four treatments with chemical peelings at 2‐week intervals. Before, after 4 weeks and after 9 weeks, photographic documentation and scans were recorded using a high‐resolution ultrasound system. Results As a result of applying pyruvic acid peeling, the thickness of the entrance echo on the forehead, cheek, and chin was reduced. After applying the peeling consisting of a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acids, the thickness of the entrance echo of the epidermis decreased on the forehead, cheek, and chin. As a result of applying a 50% pyruvic acid peeling, the density of dermis on the forehead, cheeks, and chin increased. A similar increase in the density of dermis was observed on the forehead, cheeks, and chin after applying a mixture of glycolic and salicylic acid. Conclusion High‐frequency ultrasound is a useful tool for monitoring the progress in the treatment of acne vulgaris using chemical peelings.

The synergy of cosmetic acids, with their keratolytic and antibacterial properties, with the mechanical exfoliation of the epidermis brings faster and better treatment results. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of using only pyruvic acid and the synergy of microdermabrasion and chemical exfoliation. In total, 14 women diagnosed with acne took part in the study. Two areas were marked on the participants’ faces: the right side (microdermabrasion treatment and a preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) and the left side (preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) without mechanical exfoliation. A series of four treatments was performed at 2-week intervals. Skin parameters such as stratum corneum hydration and sebum secretion were measured. Before the treatments, all patients had moderate acne according to GAGS (Min: 19, Max: 22, Md: 20), and after the treatments, it decreased to mild acne according to GAGS (Min: 13, Max: 17, Md: 140). On the right side of the face, there was a statistically significant reduction in sebum secretion in all the examined areas of the face and increase in the hydration of the stratum corneum. On the left side of the face, the differences were also observed in the decrease of sebum value and increase of hydration level; however, they were smaller than on the right side. The use of microdermabrasion in combination with pyruvic acid led to better results in the case of increased hydration and reduction of sebum secretion than using only pyruvic acid treatment.

Background In the treatment of acne, skin parameters such as sebum secretion, hydration, and the content of hemoglobin and melanin are very important. The values of these parameters at the appropriate level show the maintenance of good functionality of the epidermal barrier and the impact of a given treatment procedure on the condition and physiology of the epidermis. Aims The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of anti‐acne therapy with IPL by volunteers, as well as to quantify parameters such as sebum secretion, hydration level, and the content of melanin and hemoglobin in the skin. Patients/Methods The study involved 27 volunteers with moderate acne. A series of 4 treatments was performed with intense pulse light at weekly intervals. The secretion of sebum, skin hydration, and the content of melanin and hemoglobin was measured. Results A decrease in sebum secretion in the forehead area after light treatments was observed, the level of hydration remained the same in all areas examined, as did the levels of melanin and hemoglobin. The volunteers were asked about the satisfaction with the effects of the treatment: 100% answered that they were satisfied with the effects of the treatment to a degree of 7.8 ± 1.5. Conclusions During anti‐acne therapy, therapists usually focus only on reducing acne lesions, forgetting that proper care has a large impact on the success of dermatological therapies. It is very important to know the influence of treatment procedures on the parameters of the skin in order to choose the right care for the best treatment effect.