EFFEC T OF AZELAIC ACID ON SEBUM EXCRETION RATE: A C OMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN TWO SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

In this study the influence of azelaic acid (AZA) 20% cream on the sebum excretion rate (SER) of 80 volunteers having mild to moderate acne vulgaris was demonstrated. Absorbent paper and Sebutape were used to collect the sebum and quantification was carried out by direct gravimetric method. It was shown that topical application of AZA creams could reduce the SER and number of acneic lesions as well as the grade of acne. Sebutape has the advantage of simplicity and reproducibility and direct weighing of Sebutape is preferred to the classic scoring method. A near correlation was observed between the two sampling methods, i.e., absorbent paper and Sebutape.