In vivo determination of the skin atrophy potential of the super-high-potency topical corticosteroid fluocinonide 0.1% cream compared with clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream and foam, and a vehicle.

PURPOSE: Prolonged topical corticosteroid use is often associated with atrophic skin changes. This trial compared signs of skin atrophy related to 3 super-high-potency corticosteroids: fluocinonide 0.1% cream, clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream, and 0.05% foam. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The test treatments were applied to the forearms 10 females twice daily for 21 days. Skin characteristics were assessed pretreatment and posttreatment for atrophic changes. Further punch biopsies obtained from 5 subjects were assessed histologically. RESULTS: Clobetasol foam produced mild changes in noninvasive tests, but stained skin biopsies revealed structural changes nearly comparable to clobetasol cream, which showed substantial atrophic changes. Fluocinonide cream was the least atrophogenic, producing no or only mild effects that were slightly greater than vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: Fluocinonide cream has a lower potential to produce atrophic changes of the skin than either clobetasol cream or clobetasol propionate foam.

Pilot investigation of the hydrating effects of topical acne medications.

Topical therapies are effective in managing acne vulgaris but are associated with local adverse effects such as irritation and dryness. This 4-week pilot study compared skin hydration in 36 healthy adult women randomized to treatment with 1 of 4 topical therapies: 2 different (jar and tube) clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% gels, sodium sulfacetamide 10% lotion, or over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizing cream. Subjects treated with OTC moisturizer or sodium sulfacetamide exhibited decreased water loss, increased water retention, similar or improved levels of skin hydration, and decreased desorption rates. In contrast, subjects treated with jar or tube clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide had increased water loss, decreased water retention, decreased hydration, and increased desorption rates. Skin dryness decreased slightly in the moisturizer group. No serious adverse events occurred. Overall, the OTC moisturizer had the best skin hydration profile. Sodium sulfacetamide demonstrated some moisturizing characteristics, and no clinically relevant differences were noted between jar and tube clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gels.