Efficacy and Safety of 30% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid Peeling Combined with Isotretinoin Erythromycin Gel in the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Acne Vulgaris: A Comparative Study

Background: Both 30% supramolecular salicylic acid (SA) and isotretinoin erythromycin gel (IEG) have proven efficacy with good safety profiles in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Objectives: This study compared the clinical efficacy and safety of 30% SA peeling and IEG in the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Methods: Patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris were randomized into 3 groups of 30 persons each, and treated with SA peel, or IEG, or SA combine with IEG (SA + IEG group). Evaluation of acne was done by effective rate and individual lesion counts. And the adverse effects and recurrence were recorded. Results: The SA + IEG group was better in clinical efficacy and treating noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions than that of single treatment group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse effects were recorded. There were no significant differences in adverse effects and recurrence between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: 30% SA combined with IEG had a significant effect in the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne lesions.