The Effectiveness of Pyruvic Acid Peeling in Improving the Quality of Life of Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

Improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients with various chronic diseases has become a challenge and priority of contemporary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pyruvic acid peeling on the QoL of patients with acne vulgaris. The study group consisted of 200 young patients (mean age 23.04 ± 4.71) with acne vulgaris of mainly mild or moderate severity. Basic data about the patient were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. The assessment of QoL was carried out using standardized questionnaires: CADI (Cardiff Acne Disability Index), DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index), SWLS (Satisfaction With Life Scale), and BDI (Beck Depression Inventory). The cosmetic intervention consisted of chemical peeling with 35% pyruvic acid for acne lesions on the body and included four series repeated at 7-day intervals. This study demonstrated that acne vulgaris impairs the quality of life of young people. There were no significant differences between the severity of acne and the lifestyles of the subjects. The applied cosmetic procedure significantly decreased the severity of the acne and improved the quality of life of the patients.