The effect of systemic isotretinoin treatment on skin biophysical parameters among patients with acne vulgaris

Abstract

Background/aim: Systemic isotretinoin has been widely considered an effective and safe medical treatment for severe and refractory acne for nearly 3 decades. However, it also appears to cause undesirable cutaneous side effects. The aim of this study was to prospectively measure biophysical parameters of skin function among patients with acne vulgaris before and after 3 months of isotretinoin therapy, including pH, temperature, sebum content, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss. Materials and methods: The study cohort consisted of 19 patients with acne vulgaris. Noninvasive methods were used to measure the biophysical characteristics of forehead skin. All measurements were repeated following the completion of 3 months of systemic isotretinoin treatment. Results: Biophysical skin parameter measurements after 3 months of isotretinoin therapy revealed a decrease in the severity of seborrhea. However, the skin was dry, indicting a decrease in stratum corneum hydration. An increase in skin temperature was also determined. Conclusion: Treatment with systemic isotretinoin reduces sebum secretion and stratum corneum hydration and increases skin temperature, suggesting that isotretinoin may partially improve the biophysical characteristics of the skin among patients with acne vulgaris.