SEBUM CHANGES IN ACNE VULGARIS TREATED WITH TETRACYCLINE

Abstract

SUMMARY.— Samples of sebum from 6 young men with acne vulgaris were analysed before and after systemic treatment with tetracycline for 4 and for 8 weeks. The rate of sebum production was not significantly changed. At 4 weeks there was a consistent fall in the free fatty acids and a slight rise in the triglycerides. After 8 weeks there was a marked fall in the aliphatic alcohol ester fraction.