Adjunctive treatment for acne vulgaris by tranexamic acid
Issued Date
2022-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14732130
eISSN
14732165
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85129711271
Pubmed ID
35388589
Journal Title
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
Volume
21
Issue
10
Start Page
4515
End Page
4522
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Vol.21 No.10 (2022) , 4515-4522
Suggested Citation
Charoenwattanayothin A., Saiwichai T., Chaichalotornkul S. Adjunctive treatment for acne vulgaris by tranexamic acid. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Vol.21 No.10 (2022) , 4515-4522. 4522. doi:10.1111/jocd.14972 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85516
Title
Adjunctive treatment for acne vulgaris by tranexamic acid
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder of pilosebaceous units. Tranexamic acid (TXA) acts as a plasmin inhibitor to reduce blood loss and is also used to treat rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Some parts of the pathogenesis of rosacea are similar to inflammatory acne. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 10% TXA serum in treating acne and its adverse effects. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face study was performed on 18 mild-to-moderate acne patients. Patients applied 10% TXA serum on one side of the face and placebo on another side twice daily for 8 weeks. Acne lesion counts and adverse effects were evaluated every 2 weeks. Results: Significant differences in total inflammatory acne counts were observed between TXA and placebo since Week 4 (p = 0.008). TXA mainly reduced papules and pustules, as papule counts significantly decreased since the 8th week (p = 0.046) and pustule counts significantly reduced since Week 8 (p = 0.033). Moreover, physicians also found that TXA serum reduced the redness of the skin, corresponding with the imaging from VISIA® Skin Analysis. The anti-inflammatory effect of TXA resulted in less PIE and PIH. Adverse effects, including erythema and scaling, were treated by applying any moisturizing cream. Conclusion: Topical 10% TXA can reduce inflammatory acne effectively. Adverse effects were minor and treat easily.