Analysis of human skin surface lipid during treatment with anti-androgens

Skin surface lipid was collected from the foreheads of patients during a study of anti-androgen therapy for acne, and analysed for free fatty acid composition and triglyceride fatty acids. Both sebum excretion rate and bacterial flora decreased during therapy but only the ratio of free fatty acid to total glyceride plus free fatty acid changed, falling in all groups during therapy. No differences in lipid composition were detected in relation to individual therapy but patients admitted at the start of the trial, had, overall, a different lipid composition to those admitted later and had lower surface microbial counts.