Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Topical Trifarotene versus Topical Dapsone in Inflammatory Acne Valgaris: split face interventional study.

Shaymaa E. ElMongy, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine- Mansoura University,Egypt
Aya Mohammed Elsebaie, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine- Mansoura University,EgyptFollow
Azza Osama Alqurei, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine- Mansoura University, Egypt
Noura A. Elseessy, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine- Mansoura University, Egypt

Subject Area

Dermatology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Topical Trifarotene and Dapsone both treat inflammatory acne, but they work differently and have distinct side effects.

Objective: to compare efficacy and safety between topical trifarotine 0.005% versus dapsone 5% gel for treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory facial acne vulgaris.

Methods: This split face interventional study included twenty (20) patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. All the patients were treated with topical trifarotine cream 0.005 once daily at night thin layer on RT side of the face and treated with topical dapsone gel 5% once daily at any time of the day thin layer on LT side of face. The assessment of disease severity was conducted by using Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA). After the treatment, the cases were followed up for assessment of the efficacy of treatment by acne Lesion Counts, photography, the degree of improvement by the quartile scale and patient satisfaction assessment. The side effects and recurrence rates of the treatment were also recorded.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference between studied sides as regard percentage of improvement with better improvement was detected for Trifarotine side than topical dapsone. The side effects in the trifarotine side were 5% transient erythema, 10% transient peeling and 20% transient burning sensation and erythema while in the dapsone treated group, 5% transient erythema, 10% transient burning sensation and 35% transient burning sensation and erythema. There was a statistically significant difference between studied sides as regard time of recurrence. Earlier recurrence was detected for dapsone gel side than Trifarotine side.

Conclusion: Both topical dapsone and trifarotene were shown as effective treatments for acne vulgaris. However, trifarotene was shown to be more effective than dapsone in terms of more improvement, lower side effects and lower rate of recurrence.

Recommended Citation

ElMongy, Shaymaa E.; Elsebaie, Aya Mohammed; Alqurei, Azza Osama; and Elseessy, Noura A. (2026) "Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Topical Trifarotene versus Topical Dapsone in Inflammatory Acne Valgaris: split face interventional study.," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 56 : Iss. 2 , Article 2.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58775/2735-3990.1546