Comparison of two concentrations of tretinoin solution in the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

In patients with facial acne good results were obtained by topical treatment with a 0-05 per cent solution of retinoic-acid (tretinoin) solution and with a 0-025 per cent solution. The improvement was judged by clinical assessment and by counts of comedones, papules and pustules before and after the 12-week trial. Side-effects such as irritation and erythema were less with the 0-025 per cent solution. The use of swabs impregnated with a constant volume of solution and sealed in a sachet proved to be a convenient method of application. In the placebo group, swabs impregnated with the solvent only showed virtually no effect on facial acne.