Retinoic Acid in the Treatment of Acne

Abstract

A study of 50 cases of acne treated with topical0.05% retinoic acid lotion, applied at bed time, conducted at St. Gorge's Hospital, Bombay is presented. 74% of cases (37 patients) showed a good to excellent response. The comedone count showed a remarkable drop by the twelfth week of treatment and the papules and pustules, responded to a lesser extent. Our impressions are that this topical application is ideal in comedoneacne. When papules and pustules predominate, retinoic acid therapy may be combined with antibiotic preparations. The side effects observed were minimal, only 7 patients reported itching and excoriation which were mild and transient.