ArticleDermatology and therapy2023
Trifarotene Reduces Risk for Atrophic Acne Scars: Results from A Phase 4 Controlled Study.
Article in Dermatology and therapy, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. It is linked to trial NCT04856904 (Evaluation of the Risk of Atrophic Acne Scar Formation During Treatment of Acne Vulgaris Subjects With Trifarotene 50 μg/g Cream Versus Vehicle Cream Over 24 Weeks), which is not on this map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Evaluation of the Risk of Atrophic Acne Scar Formation During Treatment of Acne Vulgaris Subjects With Trifarotene 50 μg/g Cream Versus Vehicle Cream Over 24 Weeks
Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- Bridging Gaps in Malaysian Acne Vulgaris Guidelines: Advisory Statements on Trifarotene for Facial and Truncal Acne.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2026Guideline
- Synthetic Dermal Fillers in Treating Acne Scars: A Comparative Systematic Review.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Pooled it
- Patient Insights on Acne Hyperpigmentation, Trifarotene, and Skincare: 6-Month, LEAP Phase 4 Qualitative Exit Interview Findings.The patient · 2026Trial
- Trifarotene for Facial and Truncal Acne Vulgaris: A Narrative Review of Clinical Trial Evidence.Cureus · 2026Review
- Acne vulgaris: a clinical update.Australian prescriber · 2026Review
- Clinical implications of skincare: lessons from placebo-controlled dermatology trials.Skin health and disease · 2026Review
- Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris and Acne Scars-From Monotherapy to Combining Regimens.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Divergent System Organ Class Safety Profiles of Isotretinoin Versus Topical Retinoids: An EudraVigilance Disproportionality Analysis.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Acne tarda: Recommendations for classification, treatment and care as a result of an expert discussion.Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG · 2026Review
- An Assessment of Current Clinician- and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Acne Scarring and Dyspigmentation: A Scoping Review.The Journal of investigative dermatology · 2025Article
- One Acne™: A holistic management approach to improve overall skin quality and treatment outcomes in acne with or without sensitive skin.International journal of dermatology · 2025Review
- Scar Management in Pediatric Patients.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Review
- Recommendations to Improve Outcomes in Acne and Acne Sequelae: A Focus on Trifarotene and Other Retinoids.Dermatology and therapy · 2025Article
- A Real-World Approach to Trifarotene Treatment in Patients with Acne and Acne Sequelae Based on the Experience of the Italian Acne Board.Dermatology and therapy · 2025Article
- What's New After NICE Acne Guidelines.Dermatology and therapy · 2024Review
- Review
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
13 authors at 10 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAtrophic acne scarring often accompanies acne vulgaris. The efficacy of topical retinoids for treatment of acne is well documented; however, evidence for use in atrophic acne scars is limited.
methodsIn this randomized, split-face, double-blind study, subjects (age: 17-34 years, N = 121) with moderate-to-severe facial acne, with acne scars present, were treated with either trifarotene 50 μg/g or vehicle once daily for 24 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by absolute and percent change from baseline in atrophic acne scar counts, Scar Global assessment (SGA), and IGA success rates as well as acne lesion counts.
resultsAt week 24, a statistically significantly greater reduction in the mean absolute change from baseline in the total atrophic scar count was noted in the trifarotene- vs vehicle-treated area (- 5.9 vs - 2.7; p < 0.0001) with differences between sides noted as early as week 2 (- 1.5 vs - 0.7; p = 0.0072). The SGA success rate was higher in the trifarotene side at week 12 (14.9% vs 5.0%, P < 0.05) and improved through week 24 (31.3% vs 8.1%, P < 0.001). Similarly, at week 24, the IGA success rate was higher with trifarotene (63.6% vs 31.3%, P < 0.0001) along with reductions in total (70% vs 45%) and inflammatory (76% vs 48%) lesion counts. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was 5.8% (trifarotene) and 2.5% (vehicle); most common (> 1%) was skin tightness (1.7% vs 0.8%), and all events were mild to moderate in severity.
conclusionsTrifarotene was effective and well tolerated in treating moderate-to-severe facial acne and reducing atrophic acne scars, with reduction of total atrophic scar count as early as week 2.
trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT04856904.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.