Lasers alleviate acne - Acne Control

Lasers alleviate acne
Issue online:
03 Dec 2004
Accepted for publication 15 October 2004
To cite this article: Keyvan Nouri, Christopher J Ballard (2004)
Lasers alleviate acne
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 3 (3), 182Ò183.
doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00132.x
Blackwell Synergy

Nouri & Christopher J BallardMiami, USA
Keyvan Nouri, MD, 1475 NW 12th Avenue, Suite 2175, Miami, FL 33136, USA. E-mail: knouri@med.miami.edu
Keywords: acne, diode laser, laser, near-infrared (NIR) laser, pulsed-dye laser (PDL), sebaceous glands
Summary

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and sebaceous glands are involved in the pathogenesis of acne. Although often effective, traditional therapies can have drawbacks, such as photosensitivity, other toxicities, polypharmacy and frequent dosing. Lasers have been studied to seek a solution that may overcome these disadvantages.

Lasers and other light therapies target the wavelengths of the porphyrins in P. acnes to induce thermal damage that causes the bacterium's destruction. Pulsed-dye laser (PDL) or a system of light pulses and heat with wavelengths between 430 and 1100 nm are both efficacious. The 1450-nm diode laser targets sebaceous glands and is also effective. Topical indocyanine green (ICG) photodynamic therapy (PDT), using the near-infrared (NIR) laser, targets either P. acnes or sebaceous glands. ICG-PDT has fewer adverse effects than aminolevulinic acid-PDT.

Lasers are still a relatively new therapy for acne and may be best used in an adjuvant role.

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