Addition of Topical Corticosteroids in Acne Treatment

According to a study published online in the British Journal of Dermatology on October 27, the short-term addition of topical corticosteroids (TCS) to topical retinoids does not correlate with the primary endpoints of improving acne severity and alleviating medication-induced irritation.

In this study, Dr. Garrett C. Coman and colleagues from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke recruited 20 acne patients. Nine and eleven patients were randomly assigned to receive TCS on the left and right sides of their faces, respectively. Data from 16 patients were analyzed. After applying retinoid cream to the entire face, TCS was applied to one side of the face for four weeks, while the other side used a non-comedogenic moisturizer as a control. Only retinoids were used during the latter four weeks.

Researchers found that the side treated with TCS had lower erythema scores and less dryness in the first and second weeks, which was statistically significant but did not reach the primary endpoint of a one-point difference in local tolerability. Subject preference surveys showed a high preference for the TCS side, with 64% and 86% of subjects preferring corticosteroids in the second and fourth weeks, respectively.

The authors wrote, "The observed minor improvements in acne and irritation scores do not justify the use of TCS for all patients."