Comparison of the Skin Lipid Layer in Acne Vulgaris Patients after Treatment with 50% Lactobionic Acid, Corundum Microdermabrasion and a Combination of Both Means

Background: The uses of lactobionic acid, corundum microdermabrasion, and a combined technique, are treatments supporting therapies for acne vulgaris and seborrhoea. Objectives: The work was conducted to determine the effects of the peeling with lactobionic acid, corundum microdermabrasion, and a combined technique of both means on sebum secretion in acne vulgaris patients. Methods: The peeling with 50% lactobionic acid, the corundum microdermabrasion, and the combined technique were applied to 45 female patients divided into three groups of fifteen people each. Every one treatment was given five times in two week intervals. The measurements of sebum secretion were done within the Tand U-zones using Sebumeter SM15 (Courage & Khazaka, Germany). The last (sixth) measurement was performed two weeks after the last treatment. Results: Decrease in the level of sebum secretion was found during second or third measurement. Two weeks after the last treatment, the biggest decrease in the level of sebum secretion was observed in the patients treated with lactobionic acid, followed by those treated with the combined method. Conclusions: Treatments consisting of the peeling with lactobionic acid, corundum microdermabrasion, or the combined technique, brought significant decrease in the level of sebum secretion. The biggest decrease was observed in the patients treated with lactobionic acid, which being structurally similar to α-hydroxyacids exerts exfoliating properties. The combined method was also effective, because of increased skin penetration of the active ingredients, resulting from the abrasion of stratum corneum during the corundum microdermabrasion. The corundum microdermabrasion alone was the least effective approach. Corresponding author.