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Open Access 09-11-2022 | Acne | Original Research

Effect of 30% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid Peel on Skin Microbiota and Inflammation in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Acne Vulgaris

Authors: Xinyi Shao, Yangmei Chen, Lingzhao Zhang, Yujie Zhang, Asoka Ariyawati, Tingqiao Chen, Jiayi Chen, Lin Liu, Yihuan Pu, Yuxin Li, Jin Chen

Published in: Dermatology and Therapy | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Introduction

Thirty-percent supramolecular salicylic acid (SSA), a modified salicylic acid preparation, is a safe and effective treatment for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris (AV). However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the role of 30% SSA peels on skin microbiota and inflammation in patients with moderate-to-severe AV.

Methods

A total of 28 patients were enrolled and received 30% SSA peels biweekly for 2 months. The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score, skin water content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pH, and sebum levels were assessed. Skin microbial samples and perilesional skin biopsies were obtained at the onset and 2 weeks after treatment completion. Samples were characterized using a high-throughput sequencing approach targeting a portion of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

Results

After treatment, patients showed a significant improvement in their GAGS score and skin barrier indicators (P < 0.05). The GAGS score was positively associated with both the sebum concentration (R = 0.3, P = 0.027) and pH (R = 0.39, P = 0.003). Increased expression of caveolin-1 and decreased expression of interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-6, IL-17, transforming growth factor beta, and toll-like receptor 2 were observed in the skin tissue after treatment. The richness and evenness of the cutaneous microbiome decreased after treatment and the Staphylococcus proportion decreased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas the Propionibacterium proportion tended to decrease (P = 0.066).

Conclusions

On the basis of analyses of the skin barrier and microbiota, we speculate that the 30% SSA peel may have a therapeutic effect in patients with moderate-to-severe AV by improving the skin microenvironment and modulating the skin microbiome, thus reducing local inflammation.

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Title: Effect of 30% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid Peel on Skin Microbiota and Inflammation in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Xinyi Shao
Yangmei Chen
Lingzhao Zhang
Yujie Zhang
Asoka Ariyawati
Tingqiao Chen
Jiayi Chen
Lin Liu
Yihuan Pu
Yuxin Li
Jin Chen
Publication date: 09-11-2022
Publisher: Springer Healthcare
Keywords: Acne
Respiratory Microbiota
Acne Vulgaris
Published in: Dermatology and Therapy / Issue 1/2023
Print ISSN: 2193-8210
Electronic ISSN: 2190-9172
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-022-00844-5

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