Is maintenance treatment in adult acne important? Benefits from maintenance therapy with adapalene, and low doses of alpha and beta hydroxy acids.

Background: Adult acne is a chronic disease with uncontrolled exacerbations, associated with a psychological burden of the patient and medical expenses. Aims: The aim of the study was to check the efficacy of maintenance therapy of adult acne. It is essential part of treatment as adult acne usually has a long-lasting and recurring course. Methods: In the study, the efficacy of maintenance therapy in patients with adult acne is evaluated. In this study, 100 patients (aged 25-39 years of age) with mild and moderate adult acne were enrolled. Results: The maintenance therapy (adapalene 0.1% three times a week and low doses of alpha and beta hydroxy acids) led to a significant decrease in the number of acne lesions (from 31.3 to 12.25; p  < .001) and severity of seborrhea ( p  < .001). Conclusions: Maintenance therapy brings significant improvements in the reduction of non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions in patients with mild and moderate adult acne.