From the article: Intervention: The participants were allocated one 25 g tube of Tea Tree Medicated Gel for Acne (200 mg/g; AUST L 55740) and one bottle of Tea Tree Face Wash for Acne (7 mg/g), both supplied by Thursday Plantation (Integria Healthcare). The participants were instructed to self-patch test to confirm the absence of a tea tree allergy by applying a pea-sized amount of gel to the inner arm and leaving it on overnight. If no reaction was seen, the participants continued with the study. For treating facial acne, the participants were instructed to use the products twice daily by firstly washing their face with one pump of the face wash, patting it dry and then applying a pea-sized amount of gel in a thin layer to acne-affected areas. They were instructed to leave the product on for at least 6 h and wash it off only at the next application time. Additional products were supplied if required.
Australas J Dermatol. 2017 Aug;58(3):205-210. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12465. Epub 2016 Mar 21.
Harsimran Kaur Malhi 1, Jenny Tu 2, Thomas V Riley 3 4, Sujith Prasad Kumarasinghe 2 5, Katherine A Hammer 4
PMID: 27000386 DOI: 10.1111/ajd.12465
Abstract
Background: The efficacy, tolerability and acceptability of a tea tree oil gel (200 mg/g) and face wash (7 mg/g) were evaluated for the treatment of mild to moderate facial acne.
Methods: In this open-label, uncontrolled phase II pilot study, participants applied tea tree oil products to the face twice daily for 12 weeks and were assessed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Efficacy was determined from total numbers of facial acne lesions and the investigator global assessment (IGA) score. Tolerability was evaluated by the frequency of adverse events and the mean tolerability score determined at each visit. Product acceptability was assessed via a questionnaire at the end of the study period.
Results: Altogether 18 participants were enrolled, of whom 14 completed the study. Mean total lesion counts were 23.7 at baseline, 17.2 at 4, 15.1 at 8 and 10.7 at 12 weeks. Total lesion counts differed significantly over time by repeated measures anova (P < 0.0001). The mean IGA score was 2.4 at baseline, 2.2 at 4, 2.0 at 8 and 1.9 at 12 weeks, which also differed significantly over time (P = 0.0094). No serious adverse events occurred and minor local tolerability events were limited to peeling, dryness and scaling, all of which resolved without intervention.
Conclusion: This study shows that the use of the tea tree oil products significantly improved mild to moderate acne and that the products were well tolerated.
Keywords: alternative treatment; essential oil; in vivo efficacy; propionibacterium; terpenes; topical therapy.
© 2016 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.