Adjunctive treatment for acne vulgaris by tranexamic acid
Anshittha Charoenwattanayothin, Tawee Saiwichai, Sirintip Chaichalotornkul
Abstract
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.