Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD, reviewed new topical medications and laser therapies in her session, “What’s Hot in Acne and Rosacea,” on the second day of Fall Clinical 2022.

Dr Callender begin with a brief overview of the pathophysiology of acne, including follicular proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes, abnormal keratinization, Increased sebum production, and inflammation. Treatment is based on these causative factors and may entail topical and systemic therapies.

New topical medications for acne and rosacea include:

• Tazarotene 0.045% lotion
• Trifarotene cream
• Clasterone cream
• Tretinoin 0.1% + benzoyl peroxide 3% cream
• Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% + benzoyl peroxide 3.1% + adapalene 0.15% gel
• Benzoyl peroxide 5% cream (now indicated for rosacea)

She pointed out that there are issues and challenges with medications like isotretinoin, especially when treating severe acne, such as pregnancy risk and other bodily issues, drug interactions, and administrative hassles such as prior authorizations.

Dr Callender then discussed lasers to treat acne. New laser devices for acne include:

• 650 microsecond 1064 nm laser
• 1726 nm wavelength
• Photopneumatic device with broadband light source (relaunch)
• Gold microparticles + laser (relaunch)

She commented, “Patients are looking for new and innovative treatments to treat their acne. They say, ‘The topicals don’t work. I’m sick of taking antibiotics.’ Technology has given us laser devices and energy devices to help with the treatment of moderate to severe acne.”

Dr Callender concluded by inviting clinicians interested in acne and rosacea to join the Acne and Rosacea Society.

Reference

Callender VD. What’s hot in acne and rosacea. Presented at: Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference 2022; October 20–23, 2022; Las Vegas, NV.