Recommendations for research

The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.

Key recommendations for research

1 Oral isotretinoin treatment

What is the efficacy of reduced dose oral isotretinoin in the management of acne vulgaris?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on oral isotretinoin treatment.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F1: management options for moderate to severe acne – network meta-analyses.

2 Treatment options for people with polycystic ovary syndrome

What is the most effective first-line treatment option for any severity of acne vulgaris for people with polycystic ovary syndrome?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on treatment options for people with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review G: management options for people with acne vulgaris and polycystic ovary syndrome.

3 Diet

What is the effect of dietary interventions or dietary changes on acne?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on diet.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: dietary interventions for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

4 Skin care advice

What skin care advice is appropriate for people with acne?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on skin care advice.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review L: risk factors for scarring due to acne vulgaris.

5 Physical treatments for acne vulgaris and acne vulgaris-related scarring

What is the effectiveness of physical treatments (such as light devices) in the treatment of acne vulgaris or persistent acne vulgaris-related scarring?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on physical treatments.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F1: management options for moderate to severe acne – network meta-analyses and evidence review M: management of acne vulgaris-associated scarring.

Other recommendations for research

Acne-related scarring

What are the risk factors for acne vulgaris-related scarring?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on managing acne-related scarring.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review L: risk factors for scarring due to acne vulgaris.

Physical treatments for acne vulgaris and acne vulgaris-related scarring

What is the effectiveness of chemical peels for the treatment of acne vulgaris or persistent acne vulgaris-related scarring?

Hormonal and hormone-modifying treatment option

What is the effectiveness of hormone-modifying agents in the treatment of acne vulgaris?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on first-line treatment options.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review E1: management of mild to moderate acne – network meta-analyses and evidence review F1: management of moderate to severe acne – network meta-analyses.

Information and support

What information and support is valued by people with acne vulgaris?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on information and support for people with acne vulgaris.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: information and support.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)