In the ongoing search for more accessible acne care, researchers have found that patients can take lesion treatment into their own hands, literally.
A prospective multicenter study found that patients with inflammatory acne who used a novel injection assistance device to self-administer intralesional triamcinolone had comparable outcomes to those treated by physicians.
The study also reported greater lesion resolution at a higher 0.2% triamcinolone concentration in patients with moderate to severe lesions, based on patient-reported outcomes.
The trial enrolled 131 adults with facial acne vulgaris across three arms. In the first arm, 20 participants received provider-administered injections of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide. The second arm included 56 participants who self-injected 0.1% triamcinolone using an assistance device, while the third arm included 55 participants who self-injected 0.2% triamcinolone. Participants ranged from 19 to 59 years old, with a mean age of 30 years (standard deviation, 12), and were predominantly female (60%–75%).
Each participant received up to three 0.1-mL facial injections per visit. Provider-administered injections used a 32-gauge intradermal needle with a 1-mm depth adapter. In self-administered groups, a handheld device controlled injection depth and angle. Treatment response was evaluated by app-based patient surveys and blinded dermatologist assessments over a 14-day follow-up.
Blinded assessments showed significant lesion improvement over time across all groups. There were no significant differences in lesion severity, erythema, or improvement between provider-administered and participant-administered injections at 0.1% (P = .7429, .8963, and .7019, respectively). No differences were observed between 0.1% and 0.2% in these same measures (P = .3303, .8387, and .2405, respectively).
However, patient-reported outcomes showed that 0.2% dosing led to greater improvement in lesion height (P = .0019), redness (P = .0034), and overall lesion resolution (P < .0001). Satisfaction with treatment was also significantly higher with 0.2% triamcinolone (P = .026). The enhanced effect was most evident in patients with moderate to severe lesions. Both doses performed similarly in patients with mild acne.
Injection-associated pain was minimal and resolved within 24 hours. No adverse events, including skin atrophy or hypopigmentation, were reported in any group up to 6 months after treatment.
“This study supports the feasibility of self-administered, provider-prescribed intralesionaltreatments for inflammatory acne. Home administration could expedite lesion resolution and reduce scarring risk,” noted researchers, led by Lyra B. Olson, PhD, of Acom Labs, Inc.
The findings suggest that self-administered intralesional triamcinolone using a prescribed device may serve as a feasible alternative for managing inflammatory acne, especially when timely access to in-office treatment is limited. Future studies are recommended to assess higher triamcinolone concentrations, such as 0.4%, for more severe acne lesions.
The study was funded by Acom Labs, Inc. Several authors disclosed consulting or advisory roles with the sponsor.