doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.

12993 Journal of Dermatology 2015; 42: 945–953

REVIEW ARTICLE
South-East Asia study alliance guidelines on the management
of acne vulgaris in South-East Asian patients
Chee Leok GOH,1 Flordeliz ABAD-CASINTAHAN,2 Derrick Chen Wee AW,3
Roshidah BABA,4 Lee Chin CHAN,5 Nguyen Thanh HUNG,6 Kanokvalai KULTHANAN,7
Hoe Nam LEONG,8 Marie Socouer MEDINA-OBLEPIAS,9 Nopadon NOPPAKUN,10
Irma Bernadette SITOHANG,11 Titi Lestari SUGITO,12 Su-Ni WONG13
1
National Skin Centre, Singapore, 2Department of Dermatology, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila, Philippines,
3
National University Hospital, Dermatology Clinic, Singapore, 4Department of Dermatology, Hospital Melaka, Melaka, 5Department of
Dermatology, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, 6Ho Chi Minh Dermatology and Venereology Hospital, Ho Chi Minh
City, Vietnam, 7Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, 8Rophi
Clinic, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore, 9Department of Dermatology, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,
Muntinlupa, Philippines, 10Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn
Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, 11Cosmetic Dermatology Division, Department of Dermatovenereology, Faculty of Medicine,
Universitas Indonesia, 12Department of Dermato-Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia/Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo
Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, 13Dr SN Wong Skin, Hair, Nails & Laser Specialist Clinic, Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore

ABSTRACT
The management of acne in South-East Asia is unique, as Asian skin and local variables require a clinical approach
unlike that utilized in other parts of the world. There are different treatment guidelines per country in the region, and
a group of leading dermatologists from these countries convened to review these guidelines, discuss current prac-
tices and recent advances, and formulate consensus guidelines to harmonize the management of acne vulgaris in
the region. Emphasis has been placed on formulating recommendations to impede the development of antibiotic
resistance in Propionibacterium acnes. The group adopted the Acne Consensus Conference system for grading
acne severity. The group recommends that patients may be treated with topical medications including retinoids,
benzoyl peroxide (BPO), salicylic acid, a combination of retinoid and BPO, or a combination of retinoids and BPO
with or without antibiotics for mild acne; topical retinoid with topical BPO and a oral antibiotic for moderate acne;
and oral isotretinoin if the patient fails first-line treatment (a 6- or 8-week trial of combined oral antibiotics and topi-
cal retinoids with BPO) for severe acne. Maintenance acne treatment using topical retinoids with or without BPO is
recommended. To prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, topical antibiotics should not be used as mono-
therapy or used simultaneously with oral antibiotics. Skin care, comprised of cleansing, moisturizing and sun pro-
tection, is likewise recommended. Patient education and good communication is recommended to improve
adherence, and advice should be given about the characteristics of the skin care products patients should use.
Key words: acne, Asian, management, oral antibiotics, topical retinoids.

INTRODUCTION prevent acne recurrence.1 Topical retinoids have been shown

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilose-
baceous unit with polymorphic manifestations. Clinically, it is
diagnosed by the presence of comedones (its pathognomonic
feature), papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. In recent years,
significant advancements in the understanding of acne have
altered the way it is managed. Food with high glycemic indices
is to be avoided as it is now known that it is associated with
acne. Acne has been recognized as a chronic disease, and
therefore maintenance therapy has been deemed necessary to
to effectively control acne and prevent relapse unlike antibiot-
ics, which have been shown to be ineffective in preventing the
development of the subclinical precursors of both inflammatory
and non-inflammatory acne lesions.1 To address the emerging
problem of antibiotic resistance, the Global Alliance to Improve
Outcomes in Acne group have recommended that topical anti-
biotics should not be given as monotherapy or maintenance
therapy because it may lead to the development of antibiotic
resistance. Also, combination treatment has been shown to be
superior to monotherapy.1,2

Correspondence: Chee Leok Goh, M.D., MBBS., MMed, MRCP(UK), FRCPE., National Skin Center, 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205.
Email: clgoh@nsc.gov.sg
Received 6 January 2015; accepted 11 May 2015.

© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association 945

C.L. Goh et al.
In 2011, a group of experts from 10 countries (Hong Kong,
India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Tai-
wan, Thailand and the USA) enumerated several clinically sig-
nificant differences between Asian and Caucasian skin that
contribute to variations between Asian practice and Global Alli-
ance recommendations.3 Asian skin is more prone to postin-
flammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and irritation when treated
with topical retinoids compared with Caucasian skin.4 These
differences, coupled with the lack of clinical data specifically
about acne in Asian patients, highlight the need for the devel-
opment of treatment guidelines tailored to the South-East
Asian (SEA) population.
The South-East Asia Study Alliance (SASA) group, com-
prised of 13 leading dermatologists from six countries in SEA
(Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam), was formed to address this unmet need. The group
convened to review existing guidelines, discuss current prac-
tices and recent advances, formulate consensus guidelines to
harmonize the management of acne vulgaris in the region, and
document this consensus for publication.
The objectives of these guidelines are to provide consensus
recommendations, based on the latest evidence in published
work, current practice and current practice in the region
regarding acne, on: (i) the grading of acne vulgaris in SEA; (ii)
the most appropriate treatment for mild, moderate and severe
acne vulgaris in SEA, as well as maintenance therapy; (iii) anti-
biotic resistance in the region and appropriate antibiotic use;
and (iv) recommended skin care for patients with acne.
As the consensus recommendations are partly based on the
published work and guidelines, a brief review of published
work and current recommendations of acne management of
various countries from the region are presented prior to a dis-
cussion of the group’s findings and recommendations.
METHODS
In 2014, the SASA group convened in Singapore to discuss
and provide their insights on current practices and guidelines
regarding acne and its treatment in SEA. Recent developments
and evidence supporting these practices were also shared and
presented. Discussions were then held to assess and deter-
mine which practices to adopt and recommend based on evi-
dence and the group’s collective experience and expertise.
RESULTS
Definition, diagnosis and grading of acne vulgaris
Currently, there is no single, uniform, standardized and repro-
ducible grading system for the severity of acne. In practice,
acne is commonly classified by the clinical type of manifesta-
tion or by disease severity. Clinical types of manifestation
include comedonal, papular, pustular, nodular, cystic, and
inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesions. Severity classifica-
tion includes mild, moderate, moderately severe and very
severe disease.
The American Academy of Dermatology Acne Consensus
Conference (ACC) developed a classification of acne severity
946
based on the number and types of lesions present (Table 1).5
This classification ranges from mild to severe based on the
number of papules, pustules and nodules. The Combined Acne
Severity Classification, developed by the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality, is similar but takes into account the
specific numbers of comedones, inflammatory lesions, pseud-
ocysts and the total lesion count (Table 2).6 The Comprehen-
sive Acne Severity Scale (CASS) is a subjective, qualitative,
experiential scale developed as a modification of the Investiga-
tor Global Assessment (IGA) for clinical trials in acne and was
validated by a very strong correlation with Leeds grading, a
pictorial acne grading system. Whereas the IGA is composed
of eight grades of facial acne, CASS applied the IGA to other
regions also commonly affected by acne such as the chest
and back.7
The classification system developed by the Acne Severity
Global Alliance differs from these by focusing on the type of
lesions present, as opposed to the number of lesions. In this
system, lesions range in severity from mild comedonal acne,
mild and moderate papulopustular acne, moderate nodular
acne, to severe nodular or conglobata acne.
Current treatment guidelines
Health authorities of SEA countries in collaboration with derma-
tological societies and acne advisory boards have developed
national treatment guidelines.8,9 These evidence-based guide-
lines, although similar in their approach to acne management,
vary according to local practice conditions (e.g. types of pro-
viders available, ethnic groups comprising the population,
health-care system and insurance coverage) and the availability
of treatment modalities and medications.3
The Malaysian and Singaporean guidelines recommend the
use of the CASS. In Japan, the Acne Study Group developed
an evidence-based grading criteria based on dermatologists’
recognition of acne severity and inflammatory eruption counts;
the latter were divided into mild (0–5), moderate (6–20), severe
(21–50) and very severe (>50).10 These and other current SEA
guidelines classify the disease into categories such as mild,
moderate or severe acne, and patients are treated accordingly.
These recommend that first-line to second-line treatment of
mild to moderate acne involve the use of topical medications
such as benzoyl peroxide (BPO), retinoid, azelaic acid, salicylic
acid or their combinations. Oral antibiotics or hormonal therapy
for female patients may be added for cases of moderate acne.
In addition, these guidelines recognize the emergence of
antibiotic resistance and recommend measures to counter its
Table 1. Acne classification, acne consensus conference
(American Academy of Dermatology)5
Description
Grade Papules and pustules Nodules
Mild Few to several None
Moderate Several to many Few to many
Severe Numerous/extensive Many
© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association
 SASA guidelines on acne vulgaris in SEA

Table 2. Acne classification, combined acne severity tributed to the increase in resistant strains of P. acnes over
classification6 time.16,17 Antibiotic resistance represents a significant interna-
tional public health concern as it may lead to reduced clinical
Description
responses, a potential increase in the pathogenicity of P. ac-
Total nes and increased resistance in more pathogenic organ-
Inflammatory lesion isms.18
Grade Comedones lesions count Pseudocyst Clinically, P. acnes resistance to antibiotics may result in
Mild <20 <15 <30 None a reduced response, absence of response or relapse during
Moderate 20–100 15–50 30–125 None acne treatment. Up to 20% of treatment non-responses can
Severe >100 >50 >125 >5 be attributed to antibiotic resistance.1,19,20 In contrast, inhibi-
tion of drug resistance has been associated with reduction
in total P. acnes counts and improvement in clinical out-
come.21
development. These include limiting the duration of antibiotic Studies have shown that use of antibiotics for the treatment
treatment and avoiding concurrent oral and topical antibiotic of acne may lead to the development of resistance in targeted
use as well as the use of antibiotics as monotherapy or mainte- as well as non-targeted organisms, and acne patients receiv-
nance therapy. ing antibiotic treatment may be more likely to develop upper
The guidelines also consider acne to be a chronic disease. respiratory tract infections compared with those not treated
Thus, maintenance therapy, with a topical retinoid or the com- with antibiotics.19,22,23 Further evidence showed that the num-
bination of adapalene and BPO, is universally recom- ber of antibiotic-resistant strains was significantly higher
mended.8,9 among patients who received long-term (24–52 weeks) antibi-
Compared with the SEA guidelines, the guidelines of the otic therapy compared with those who did not receive prior
American Academy of Dermatology do not recommend a spe- antibiotic treatment (P = 0.015) and those who received short-
cific acne grading system, maintaining that there is no consen- term (6–18 weeks) treatment (P = 0.036).24,25
sus regarding a single or best system of classification. Erythromycin and clindamycin are often involved in cases of
Treatment recommendations and the recognition of antibiotic resistance, and there is frequent cross-resistance to the two
resistance are similar, but there is no mention of maintenance antibiotics.26–33 In a 2001 study performed in Singapore
therapy. Finally, these guidelines do not include the topic of (Table 3), these antibiotics showed the greatest percentage of
light and laser therapy.5 resistant isolates in patients (69.2% and 50%, respectively) fol-
Compared with the others, the European evidence-based lowed by co-trimoxazole (38.5%) and doxycycline (23%).25 In
guidelines not only define the variants of acne but also present Malaysia, the rates of resistance to erythromycin and clindamy-
its own clinical classification of acne into comedonal acne, cin are 4.0–92.0% and 4.0–95.0%, respectively; the highest
mild–moderate papulopustular acne, severe papulopustular or rates among the antibiotics listed in Malaysia’s guidelines.8 In
moderate nodular acne, and severe nodular or conglobate Singapore (Fig. 1), the number of resistant P. acnes strains has
acne. It also more closely matches recommendations for thera- doubled in approximately a decade (11.0% in 1999 to 22.3%
peutic interventions with specific types and grades of acne. in 2010).25,34,35
Like its SEA counterparts, the European guidelines recognize Antibiotic resistance in P. acnes is a global public health
the importance of the development of antibiotic resistance and concern (Table 4), and the prevalence of the problem has
the need for maintenance therapy. These guidelines make no increased from 20% in 1978 to 62% in 1996.22–32,34 The high-
mention of some adjuvant therapies such as chemical peels, est rates of resistance observed are against clindamycin and
glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid.11 erythromycin.26–33
In Europe, data from six countries revealed that antibiotic-
Adherence to treatment resistant P. acnes was present in 67.8% of patients.16 The
Acne requires prolonged treatment, and patient adherence is highest rates of resistance were found in Spain (93.6%),
important for treatment success. Evidence has shown that Greece (78.2%) and Italy (65.8%), and combined resistance to
approximately half (48%) of Asian patients are likely to adhere clindamycin and erythromycin was much more common than
poorly to their acne treatment regimen.12 Multivariate analysis resistance to tetracyclines.16
of study data revealed the profile of poorly adherent patients. According to the World Economic Forum, the greatest risk
These patients are usually accompanied during consultation, to human health is probably the development of antibiotic
do not use moisturizing creams and cleansers, and are poorly resistance. Thus, preventive measures against the rise of
informed about acne.12 antibiotic-resistant bacteria are warranted.36,37 Judicious use
of antibiotics is thus recommended. Clinical data have shown
Antibiotic resistance that strict administrative control of mupirocin use against
Propionibacterium acnes colonization and proliferation has an nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus resulted in a
important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory acne, and decline of resistance in high- and low-level resistance iso-
antibiotics have been routinely utilized as the primary treat- lates (from 31% to 4% and from 26% to 10%, respec-
ment for the condition.13–15 However, this approach has con- tively).38

© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association 947

C.L. Goh et al.

Table 3. Antibiotic-resistant isolates of Propionibacterium acnes in Singapore23

No. of Percentage of Percentage of Prior/present

Antibiotic subjects isolates resistant isolates antibiotic history
Doxycycline 6 3.4 23 4
Tetracycline 3 1.7 11.5 3
Minocycline 3 1.7 11.5 3
Co-trimoxazole 10 5.7 38.5 3
Clindamycin 13 7.5 50 9
Erythromycin 18 10.3 69.2 11

Table 4. Percentages of antibiotic resistance in Propionibacterium

acnes from around the world24–31

Country Clindamycin Erythromycin Oxytetracycline Doxycycline

Spain 91 91 5 –
USA 79 81 63 57
Greece 75 75 7 –
Egypt 65 48 18 6
Italy 58 58 0 –
UK 55.5 55.5 26.4 –
Hong 53.5 20.9 16.3 16.3
Kong
Singapore >50 >50 >11.5 >11.5
Figure 1. Isolated strains of Propionibacterium acnes, 1999–
Iran 50 52 35 –
2010 in Singapore.
France – 75.1 9.5 9.5

DISCUSSION
Diagnosis and treatment of acne
The SASA group adopts the ACC grading system for acne
severity (Table 1), and recommends the treatment of patients
based on disease severity (Table 5).1,39–41
There is no consensus on a single or best grading or classi-
fication system, but the ACC system is simple to use with only
three grades of acne severity, while being, as a global evalua-
tion system, both quantitative and cognizant of the variable
expression of the disease.5,40 It is simpler than the CASS,
which has six grades of severity (0–5), and more clearly sepa-
rates lesion types per grade.5,7 Although equally easy to use,
the system developed by Japan’s Acne Study Group does not
differentiate between different types of inflammatory eruptions,
which have a bearing on the risk of development of acne
scars.10 Although the ACC system is Western in origin, it is
applicable to the Asian setting as the pathogenesis of acne
and acne scarring (atrophic and hypertrophic scars) appears to
be both the same in Caucasians and Asians. The main differ-
ence in the sequelae of the disease between Caucasians and
Asians is the postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which com-
monly occurs among those with a darker skin color but gener-
ally resolves with time; thus, it is not considered true scarring
in Asia.4,42
Prior to treatment initiation, it is recommended that differen-
tial diagnoses be ruled out. These include acne mechanica
(localized acneiform eruption due to friction or occlusion that is
common in athletes), acne cosmetica (a low-grade, persistent
acneiform eruption due to concurrent use of multiple cosmetic
products), drug-induced acneiform eruptions, Gram-negative
folliculitis and Malassezia folliculitis.
In addition, it is necessary to exclude any underlying medi-
cal conditions (polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing’s syn-
drome, 21-hydroxylase deficiency and other endocrinopathies)
and aggravating factors (occupational exposure to oils, greases
and aromatic hydrocarbons; cosmetics; drugs such as ste-
roids, anti-epileptics, isoniazid, lithium, danazol, iodides and
bromides; a history of occlusion or friction; stress; and a high
glycemic load diet).
Following diagnosis, classify the severity of the patient’s
acne using the ACC grading system and initiate treatment
accordingly. For mild acne, the SASA recommends treatment
with one or a combination of the following topical medications:
retinoids (adapalene, isotretinoin, tazarotene, tretinoin) (once
daily), BPO (once to twice daily), fixed-dose combination of ret-
inoid and BPO (once daily) and topical antibiotics (once to
thrice daily depending on the specific antibiotic). Alternative
topical medications include salicylic acid (once to thrice daily),
azelaic acid (twice daily), topical sulfur and azelaic acid com-
bined with topical sulfur (twice daily) (Table 6).
For moderate acne, a combination of an oral antibiotic such
as doxycycline (100–200 mg/day), tetracycline (500–1000 mg/
day), minocycline (100–200 mg/day), lymecycline (300–600 mg/
day) or erythromycin (500–1000 mg/day) with topical BPO and
topical retinoids (a fixed combination of BPO and topical reti-
noids may be used) is recommended.43,44 Antibiotics are pre-
scribed for at least 6 weeks, and patients are reassessed after
6–8 weeks of treatment. Alternative topical therapy include sal-

948 © 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association

 SASA guidelines on acne vulgaris in SEA

Table 5. Summary of treatment recommendations, South-East Asia acne study alliance

Mild Moderate Severe

Recommended Topical retinoids
(tretinoin, isotretinoin,
adapalene)
Topical BPO
Topical retinoid + BPO
Topical retinoid and
BPO  topical antibiotics†
Alternatives Topical salicylic acid, azelaic
acid, topical sulfur, and
azelaic acid with topical sulfur
Maintenance Topical retinoids  BPO
Oral antibiotics
(doxycycline, tetracycline,
minocycline, lymecycline,
erythromycin)‡ + topical
retinoids§ + topical BPO
Topical salicylic acid
Azelaic acid
Hormonal therapy where
indicated in females
(oral contraceptive  anti-androgens)
Topical retinoids  BPO
Oral isotretinoin after failed
6–8-week trial of oral antibiotics
in combination with topical
retinoids and BPO
Hormonal therapy where
indicated in females
(oral contraceptive  anti-androgens)
Topical retinoids  BPO

†
Topical antibiotics should not be used as monotherapy. Oral antibiotics should not be used as monotherapy. BPO + topical retinoids fixed combina-
tions may be used. BPO, benzoyl peroxide.

Table 6. Level of evidence and strength of recommendation for acne medications

Level of evidence and

Medication Therapy strength of recommendation
Adapalene Mild to moderate acne vulgaris68 1A1
Adapalene 0.1% + BPO 2.5% Acne vulgaris when comedones, 1A1
papules and pustules are present69
Adapalene 0.1% + BPO Severe acne vulgaris70 1A1,39
2.5% + doxycycline
Isotretinoin Severe acne (nodular or conglobate 1A40
acne or acne at risk of permanent scarring)71
Tretinoin Acne vulgaris72 1A40
BPO (2.5–5.0%) Acne vulgaris20,73 1A40
Tetracycline Acne vulgaris when antibiotic 1A40,41
therapy is considered necessary20,74
Doxycycline Papulopustular lesions75 1A40,41
Minocycline Infections sensitive to tetracycline including acne20,76 1A40,41
Combined oral contraceptive pill Moderate to severe acne related to androgen sensitivity77 1A45,46
Salicylic acid† Acne vulgaris78 1A40
Azelaic acid Mild to moderate papulopustular acne79–81 1A11,40,79–81
Topical sulfur + its combination Acne82 2C40

†
Few well-designed trials of salicylic acid’s safety and efficacy exist; however, it has been used for many years for the treatment of acne”.40 BPO,
benzoyl peroxide.

icylic acid or azelaic acid. For females, hormonal therapy may
be used if indicated; oral contraceptives with or without anti-
androgens (e.g. chlormadinone acetate, cyproterone acetate,
drospirenone) may be prescribed.45,46 The efficacy of contra-
ceptive pills has been well demonstrated; they are effective in
reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory facial acne
lesions, and in meta-analyses, they have been shown to be
probably better first-line alternatives to systemic antibiotics for
long-term acne management in women.45,46 In Asia, however,
the SASA group notes that the acceptability of contraceptive
pills is low, even as an effective form of contraception, due to
perceived adverse effects and cultural or religious factors,
which should be addressed in consultation with the patient.
For severe acne, patients should be initially treated for 6–
8 weeks with the recommended regimen for moderate acne. In
the absence of clinical response or improvement after this per-
iod, patients with severe acne may be treated with oral isotre-
tinoin, which may be administrated at a dose of 0.5–1 mg/kg
per day. No substantial additional benefit is expected beyond
a cumulative dose of 120–150 mg/kg, and remission is typically
achieved with a 16–24-week course of treatment.47 Hormonal
therapy is an alternative approach for female patients with
severe acne, and oral contraceptives with or without anti-
androgens may be prescribed.
Maintenance treatment for acne
Acne is a chronic disease and patients may relapse following
treatment discontinuation. The number of microcomedones,
which are reduced during treatment, may increase after topical
treatment is withheld. Hence, maintenance therapy is important

© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association 949

C.L. Goh et al.
to prevent relapse.48 Although no consensus definition exists
for maintenance therapy, Wolf et al. provides a useful defini-
tion: “The regular use of appropriate therapeutic agents to
ensure that visible acne lesions remain in remission”.42,48,49
Maintenance treatment is recommended as all acne patients
should benefit from it, especially patients with severe acne, fre-
quent relapses, acne scars and a family history (parental) of
acne scars, a diminished quality of life and long-standing acne.
Medications used as maintenance therapy should target come-
dones and microcomedones, have a favorable safety profile,
be efficacious and prevent the development of antibiotic resis-
tance in P. acnes.
The most effective therapeutic agents for maintenance ther-
apy are topical retinoids due to their anti-comedogenic and
comedolytic properties.50 Adapalene (level of evidence, 1;
strength of recommendation, A), a topical retinoid, has been
shown to significantly decrease microcomedone formation in
acne patients.48,51 Thiboutot et al. showed that adapalene
0.1% gel significantly reduces lesion counts after 16 weeks of
maintenance therapy compared with placebo.52
Adapalene may also be used in a fixed-dose combination
with BPO. Studies have shown that prolonged treatment
(9 months) with a combination of adapalene 0.1% gel and
BPO 2.5% gel (level of evidence, 1; strength of recommenda-
tion, A) maintained low levels of P. acnes and was efficacious
and satisfactory as a maintenance regimen for those with
severe acne.53–55
Other medications that may be used for maintenance ther-
apy include BPO and topical azelaic acid. BPO may be used
alone or in combination with a topical retinoid.13,42,56
Adjuvant acne treatment
Patients with acne may be treated with chemical peels. Gly-
colic acid may be used for comedo-inflammatory lesions and
superficial scars, salicylic acid in polyethylene glycol or salicylic
acid in ethanol may be used for comedo-inflammatory lesions,
and trichloroacetic acid may be used to treat superficial
scars.57
A lipophilic hydroxyl-acid derivative of salicylic acid has
been shown in a randomized trial to be as effective as 5%
BPO for mild to moderate acne, reducing inflammatory and
non-inflammatory acne by 44% and 19%, respectively, in
12 weeks.58 In another study, an antioxidant-optimized topical
1.5% salicylic acid cream containing natural skin penetration
enhancers was shown to be effective and safe when applied
twice daily for the reduction of mild to moderate facial acne.59
Laser, energy-based devices and photodynamic therapies
(PDT) may be used as alternative treatment modalities for
patients who are unable to tolerate or are non-responsive to
standard acne therapies. These include intense pulsed light,
pulsed dye laser, potassium titanyl phosphate laser, neodym-
ium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser, Q-switched lasers, ultravio-
let (UV) light, red and blue lights, and PDT.
Preventing the development of antibiotic resistance
In agreement with guideline recommendations, the SASA high-
lights the need for effective measures to prevent the develop-
950
ment of antibiotic resistance. These include the avoidance of
antibiotic monotherapy or concurrent oral and topical antibiotic
use, limiting the duration of antibiotic treatment and avoidance
of the use of antibiotics as maintenance therapy. Topical anti-
biotics should be used in combination with BPO and a topical
retinoid.60 The SASA group recommends that the duration of
oral and topical antibiotic treatment of acne vulgaris should be
less than 12 weeks, with good compliance to treatment. This is
a reasonable duration between the minimum of more than
3 weeks (the amount of time by which antibiotic treatment typi-
cally produces an observable improvement) and 6–8 weeks
(when a reasonable assessment of the efficacy of oral antibiot-
ics can be performed) and the maximum of 8–16 weeks after
initiation of antibiotic therapy when a patient should be sus-
pected of antibiotic resistance.9,44,61 The SASA recommends
that the response to treatment may be assessed every 8–
12 weeks.
Recommended skin care for acne
Skin care is important in the management of acne and involves
cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection (protection against
UV radiation). Studies have shown that washing the face twice
daily with a mild cleanser produced significant improvements
in the skin of patients with acne, and cleansers reduced both
the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts.62,63 The
ideal cleanser should be non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic,
non-irritating and non-allergenic. Cleansers should also be suit-
able for the patient’s skin type; gentle, alcohol-free, and non-
abrasive; and may contain active anti-acne ingredients such as
BPO or salicylic acid.
Moisturizers may be used for dry and irritated skin due to
acne treatment and should be water-based, non-greasy, non-
comedogenic, non-acnegenic and hypoallergenic. Moisturizers
prevent treatment-induced dryness and improve local tolerance
to topical treatment (level of evidence, 1; strength of recom-
mendation, A).64,65 Moreover, moisturizers do not affect the
efficacy of topical acne treatment, while improving stratum cor-
neum water content and reducing the sensation of dryness.62
These benefits were demonstrated in a study involving adapa-
lene in which patients were randomized to receive either
adapalene alone or adapalene in combination with a moistur-
izer. At the end of 4 weeks, more patients on adapalene with a
moisturizer remained adherent to treatment and significantly
prolonged the treatment period. The concomitant use of a
moisturizer improved patient adherence without producing
adverse effects or diminishing the therapeutic effects of adapa-
lene. The study further found that adapalene and moisturizers
should be used in combination from the beginning of treatment
to avoid discontinuation due to adverse reactions.66
Protection from UV radiation is an important form of adju-
vant therapy in acne treatment, preventing PIH and reducing
photodermatitis due to oral and topical retinoid use. Patients
should be educated and encouraged to protect themselves
using umbrellas or hats as well as sunscreen formulations
which have been shown to be clinically and aesthetically
appropriate for use in the management of acne-prone
patients.67 A broad spectrum, non-comedogenic sunscreen
© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association

with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher is recommended.
To avoid irritation, a water-based or light liquid-based sun-
screen is the best option.
Addressing patient adherence
Based on the profile of non-adherent patients, actions are rec-
ommended to address patient non-adherence. Inadequate
knowledge about acne can be addressed by educating or
informing the patient and establishing open communication.
Treatment expectations, the duration of therapy and the time
required to achieve observable improvement must be dis-
cussed with the patient. Finally, the importance of skin care
(cleansing and moisturizing) in improving adherence, must be
emphasized.
CONCLUSION
The management of acne vulgaris in SEA is different from that
practiced elsewhere in the world, owing to local variation and
the differences between Asian and Caucasian skin. SASA’s
review of the current guidelines used in the region has enabled
the group to devise evidence-based recommendations for the
management of acne.
Compared with the US, European and other SEA guidelines,
the SASA guidelines on the management of acne vulgaris in
SEA patients adopts the use of the ACC grading system for
classification and selection of treatment for patients; specifies
durations of treatment and time frames for expected results
and patient reassessment; and discusses a fuller range of adju-
vant acne treatments including chemical peels, laser and PDT.
Among all the guidelines, the SASA guidelines uniquely
address the need for skin care, including cleansing, moisturiz-
ing and protection from UV radiation, in the management of
acne and the importance and relationship of skin care to
patient adherence.
Following proper diagnosis of acne, disease severity may be
classified according to the ACC grading system. Patients may
be treated according to disease severity, noting that treatment
must still be individualized. Mild acne may be treated with topi-
cal medications including retinoids, BPO, a combination of reti-
noid and BPO, or a combination of retinoids and BPO with or
without antibiotics. Moderate acne may be treated with a com-
bination of topical retinoid, BPO and an oral antibiotic. Hor-
monal therapy may be used if indicated in female patients.
Severe acne may be treated with oral isotretinoin if the patient
fails a 6–8-week trial of combined oral antibiotics and topical
retinoids with BPO. Maintenance treatment is recommended,
and patients may be prescribed topical retinoids with or with-
out BPO. To prevent the development of antibiotic resistance,
topical antibiotics should not be used as monotherapy or used
concurrently with oral antibiotics. These should be used with
good compliance for a maximum of 12 weeks, and the
response to the regimen should be assessed every 8–
12 weeks. Skin care during treatment is recommended and
patients should be educated and informed about cleansing,
moisturizing and sun protection. Patient education and com-
munication between the treating physician and the patient is
© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association
SASA guidelines on acne vulgaris in SEA
essential to improve adherence and ensure successful treat-
ment of acne.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors would like to thank
MIMS, Singapore for editorial assistance. These recommendations were
developed at an advisory board meeting supported financially by Gal-
derma International.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors received research
and traveling grants and honoraria from Galderma International. The authors
have no financial interest in any of the products related to this work.
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