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Albert M. Kligman, MD. PhD; James E. Fulton, Jr., MD; Gerd Plewig, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1969;99(4):469-476.

Abstract
The therapeutic effectiveness of four local forms of treatment was compared in acne vulgaris: (a) sulfur-resorcinol; (b) benzoyl peroxide; (c) vitamin A acid; and, (d) an inert vehicle. The method of assessment was counting all the lesions on one side of the face at weekly intervals. The order of increasing therapeutic efficacy was: vehicle, sulfur-resorcinol, benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin A acid.

Vitamin A acid increased the rate of production of loose horny cells in the follicular canal, thus preventing formation of comedones and unseating existing ones.

The treatment frequently produces a worsening of the clinical picture during the initial phase of therapy. It is palliative, not curative; relapses occasionally occur when treatment is stopped.

Author Affiliations
Philadelphia

From the Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 28, 1968.

Reprint requests to the Department of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Duhring Laboratories, Philadelphia 19104 (Dr. Kligman).

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