Chemical peels that use alpha-hydroxy acid or beta-hydroxy acid are effective at treating mild to moderate
facial acne researchers have found.
Experts at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine compared the two types of acid peels in 20 patients with an average age of 24 years.
Participants were treated with a chemical peel every second week for six weeks, with one side of the face being treated with alpha-hydroxy acid and the other with beta-hydroxy acid.
Both types of chemical peel significantly reduced acne lesions within the first two weeks and, one month after the final treatment, 94 per cent of patients had a good or fair improvement on both sides of the face.
After a further month, the sides of the face treated with alpha-hydroxy had developed a few new lesions, but 75 per cent of patients were still deemed to show good or fair improvement.
The findings are published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery and Dr Dee Anna Glaser, vice chair and professor of dermatology, described them as "good news".
"This provides more options for patients and doctors to choose from when it comes to tailoring a treatment programme for each individual," she added.
