Acne

This common condition remains a therapeutic challenge. Despite widespread use of isotretinoin for inflammatory and nodulo-cystic acne there are some acne subjects who fail to respond to antibiotics and in more severe cases mid infrared lasers can target abnormal pilosebaceous units without causing any glandular or dermal destruction and scarring.

Photodynamic therapy using exogenous ALA and a number of different light sources also shows promise.

Blue LED light therapy alone can act through activation of endogenous porphyrins on P. acnes but has limited efficacy.

Photomodulation through anti-inflammatory effects of intense LED red light is also of dubious clinical efficacy. The Vbeam Perfecta™ pulsed dye laser does show some effect (several studies) and this is probably through targeting of the vascular component of acne as well as modulation of cytokines and inflammatory medications.

Isotretinoin remains the treatment of choice if it can be tolerated. Light based although sometimes helpful, are generally second line. There is as yet no agreed evidence based approach for the use of lasers or other light based therapies for inflammatory acne.

For more information about this condition, please contact the Solais team below...