Published online Jun 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i18.4681
Peer-review started: January 26, 2021
First decision: February 28, 2021
Revised: March 11, 2021
Accepted: April 22, 2021
Article in press: April 22, 2021
Published online: June 26, 2021
The incidence of keratosis pilaris is high, and although there are many treatments, the results usually do not persist.
Keratosis pilaris affects the appearance of patients; Glycolic acid can improve the texture and color of the skin.
We followed subjects for 5 year, which allowed evaluation of both short-term and long-term efficacy of high-concentration glycolic acid for treating periceratosis.
We used spectrophotometry and the L*a*b color system as an innovative evaluation of both the treatment effects and the color and luster of the lesions.
Compared with pretreatment values, differences in the number of keratotic papules, melanin content, skin lightness, and skin hemoglobin on days 20, 40, 60, and 80 were significant. The differences were not significant at the 5-year follow-up.
A high concentration of glycolic acid significantly improved skin roughness as well as follicular hyperpigmentation in patients with keratosis pilaris. The treatment was relatively safe, but there was no significant difference at the 5-year follow-up compared with pretreatment values.
High-concentration glycolic acid can be used as a novel treatment for keratosis pilaris.