Efficacy and Safety of 30% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid Combined With Supramolecular Active Zinc in the Treatment of Malassezia Folliculitis

Summary

Malassezia folliculitis is a common dermatological disorder. While antifungal agents generally demonstrate efficacy in application, the prevalence of recurrence and drug resistance remains a common occurrence. Supramolecular salicylic acid represents a novel class of superficial chemical peel agents, exhibiting keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, and bacteriostatic properties. Zinc pyrithione has broad spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, investigators evaluated the clinical efficacy of topical application of supramolecular salicylic acid in combination with zinc pyrithione for the treatment and prevention of Malassezia folliculitis recurrence. All data are recorded and compared after the end of the experiment. The enrolled patients received daily application of topical supramolecular active zinc anti-dandruff lotion, in conjunction with weekly application of 30% supramolecular salicylic acid, for a duration of 8 weeks. Lesion counts, Malassezia detection, clinical symptom scores, patient satisfaction, and side effects were recorded at each visit till the week 12.

Timeline

Start

2022-06-07

Primary completion

2023-09-20

Completion

2023-09-20

Publications

• Results Vlachos C, Henning MAS, Gaitanis G, Faergemann J, Saunte DM. Critical synthesis of available data in Malassezia folliculitis and a systematic review of treatments. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Aug;34(8):1672-1683. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16253. Epub 2020 Apr 30.
• Results Roques C, Brousse S, Panizzutti C. In vitro antifungal efficacy of ciclopirox olamine alone and associated with zinc pyrithione compared to ketoconazole against Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta reference strains. Mycopathologia. 2006 Dec;162(6):395-400. doi: 10.1007/s11046-006-0075-0.
• Results Berger RS, Fu JL, Smiles KA, Turner CB, Schnell BM, Werchowski KM, Lammers KM. The effects of minoxidil, 1% pyrithione zinc and a combination of both on hair density: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Aug;149(2):354-62. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2003.05435.x.
• Results Park M, Cho YJ, Lee YW, Jung WH. Understanding the Mechanism of Action of the Anti-Dandruff Agent Zinc Pyrithione against Malassezia restricta. Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 14;8(1):12086. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30588-2.
• Results Magerusan SE, Hancu G, Rusu A. A Comprehensive Bibliographic Review Concerning the Efficacy of Organic Acids for Chemical Peels Treating Acne Vulgaris. Molecules. 2023 Oct 22;28(20):7219. doi: 10.3390/molecules28207219.
• Results Henning MAS, Hay R, Rodriguez-Cerdeira C, Szepietowski JC, Piraccini BM, Ferreiros MP, Arabatzis M, Sergeev A, Nenoff P, Kotrekhova L, Nowicki RJ, Faergemann J, Padovese V, Prohic A, Skerlev M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Sigurgeirsson B, Gaitanis G, Lecerf P, Saunte DML. Position statement: Recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of Malassezia folliculitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 Jul;37(7):1268-1275. doi: 10.1111/jdv.18982. Epub 2023 Mar 13.
• Results Theelen B, Cafarchia C, Gaitanis G, Bassukas ID, Boekhout T, Dawson TL Jr. Malassezia ecology, pathophysiology, and treatment. Med Mycol. 2018 Apr 1;56(suppl_1):S10-S25. doi: 10.1093/mmy/myx134.
• Liang J, Chen Y, Yang M, Liu H, Liu Y, He S, Wang Z, Zeng W. Efficacy and safety of tranilast combined with minocycline in the treatment of moderate-to-severe rosacea: a prospective, randomized controlled study. J Dermatolog Treat. 2026 Dec;37(1):2597711. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2025.2597711. Epub 2025 Dec 22.

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