The Effectiveness of Common Acne Products Against P. Acnes Bacteria
The Effectiveness of Common Acne Products against P. acnes Bacteria
Kathryn Henshaw
Taunton High School
Honors Chemistry I
Mr. Osowick
January 23, 2013
Table of Contents
Abstract3
Background Research4-9
What is Acne Vulgaris? 4
How does Acne Vulgaris Form?6
How is Acne Vulgaris Treated?8
Purpose10
Hypothesis10
Materials10
Procedure11-14
Data15-16
Results17
Conclusion18-19
Figures20-22
References23-24
Abstract Acne is one of the most common pests to human beings. Although acne lesions do not seem as animated as a typical vermin, inflamed pores are teeming with bacterium. Propionibacterium acnes are understood to be the greatest inducer of acne lesions. When acne breakouts become problematic to an individual, one might resort to over the counter acne medications, the most popular of those being salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid. Those topical antimicrobial products are intended for use in clearing human skin of acne lesions that may be present or to prevent future acne lesions if used regularly. They work to cleanse skin of problematic amounts of P. acnes bacteria in order to keep the human epidermis clear of inflammation. It is hypothesized that if the topical non-prescription acne treatments salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid are applied to P. acnes bacteria, then azelaic acid will kill the P. acnes bacteria the most effectively. Therefore, it is predicted that it azelaic acid will produce the largest kill zone.
However, through the experimentation process by using diffusion off of filter paper to spread the antiseptics on the P. acnes, the results disproved this hypothesis, and proved that salicylic acid was the strongest antiseptic acne product because salicylic acid consistently provided the largest kill zone. It was also concluded that if the experiment were to be redone that benzoyl peroxide may have performed better than it did, but in the trials, salicylic acid preformed the best.
The
Kathryn Henshaw
Taunton High School
Honors Chemistry I
Mr. Osowick
January 23, 2013
Table of Contents
Abstract3
Background Research4-9
What is Acne Vulgaris? 4
How does Acne Vulgaris Form?6
How is Acne Vulgaris Treated?8
Purpose10
Hypothesis10
Materials10
Procedure11-14
Data15-16
Results17
Conclusion18-19
Figures20-22
References23-24
Abstract Acne is one of the most common pests to human beings. Although acne lesions do not seem as animated as a typical vermin, inflamed pores are teeming with bacterium. Propionibacterium acnes are understood to be the greatest inducer of acne lesions. When acne breakouts become problematic to an individual, one might resort to over the counter acne medications, the most popular of those being salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid. Those topical antimicrobial products are intended for use in clearing human skin of acne lesions that may be present or to prevent future acne lesions if used regularly. They work to cleanse skin of problematic amounts of P. acnes bacteria in order to keep the human epidermis clear of inflammation. It is hypothesized that if the topical non-prescription acne treatments salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid are applied to P. acnes bacteria, then azelaic acid will kill the P. acnes bacteria the most effectively. Therefore, it is predicted that it azelaic acid will produce the largest kill zone.
However, through the experimentation process by using diffusion off of filter paper to spread the antiseptics on the P. acnes, the results disproved this hypothesis, and proved that salicylic acid was the strongest antiseptic acne product because salicylic acid consistently provided the largest kill zone. It was also concluded that if the experiment were to be redone that benzoyl peroxide may have performed better than it did, but in the trials, salicylic acid preformed the best.
The
References: Richard W. Sloan, M.D., R.PH. (2000). “Topical Therapy for Acne.” 1 Oct 2012 Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/atp/2000/0115/p357.html/ “Propionibacterium acnes.” ATCC. 7 Nov. 2012. Retrieved from http://www.atcc.org/ATCCAdvancedCatalogSearch/ProductDetails/tabid/452/Default.aspx Perry A, Lambert P. (2011) “Propionibacterium acnes: infection beyond the skin.” Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22114965/ New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. (2005). “Salicylic Acid.” Retrieved from http://www.dermnetnz.org/treatments/salicylic-acid.html/ Gupta MA, Gupta AK. (1998.) Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Dermatology Patients with Acne, alopecia, areta, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis Uta Jappe, MD. (2003). “Pathological Mechanisms of Acne with Special Emphasis on Propionibacterium acnes and related therapy.” Retrieved from medicaljournals.com/ Laura J. Savage, Alison M. Layton. (2012). “Treating Acne Vulgaris: Systematic, Local, and Combination Therapy.” Retrieved from Medscape.com/ Exposed Acne Treatment. (2010). Types of Acne. Retrieved from http://www.exposedskincare.com/acne-treatment/types-of-acne.html/ Barbara Strickland. (1998). Acne is a Four Letter Word. Retrieved from zerozits.com/ Health in Plain English The Lancet, Volume 379 (issue 9813), 361-372. Retrieved from http://thelancet.com