Laser Treatments Found Equally Effective in Reducing Acne Lesions
In a comparison study, Korean researchers have found that a combined 585/1,064-nm (sequential dual-wavelength pulsed dye laser [PDL] and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser is as safe and effective as a PDL laser alone in treating mild to moderate acne (acne vulgaris)
For the randomized, double-blinded, split-face study, which was published in the medical journal Dermatologic Surgery, researchers recruited 16 volunteers with mild to moderate acne. Each underwent 3 treatment sessions at 2-week intervals. At each session, half of their face was treated with a single pass of a combined 585/1,064-nm laser and the other half with a single pass of PDL. Follow-up occurred at 8 and 12 weeks after treatment began.
The results: The inflammatory acne lesions were reduced by 86% on the PDL-alone sides and by 89% on the 585/1,064-nm sides. The observed reductions in noninflammatory lesions was similarly equivalent: 69% and 64%, respectively.
The authors concluded that
“PDL and combined 585/1,064-nm laser were safe and effective for the treatment of inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions.”
Source: Jung JY, Choi YS, Yoon MY, Min SU, Suh DH. Comparison of a pulsed dye laser and a combined 585/1,064-nm laser in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Dermatol Surg. 2009. Jan 16.
