Phototherapy method for treatment of acne

Phototherapy method for treatment of acne

Inventor(s)
Wei Dong Tian
Nikiforos Kollias
Robert Gillies

Assignee
The General Hospital Corporation

Application
No. 559139 filed on 2000-04-27

Current US Class
607/88 , Light application 606/3 , With particular wavelength 606/9 , Dermatological 607/1 , LIGHT, THERMAL, AND ELECTRICAL APPLICATION 607/89 Laser application

Field of Search
606/131 , Means for removal of skin or material therefrom 606/133 Physical removal of hair or hair plugs from skin

Examiners
Primary: Michael Peffley
Assistant: Peter Vrettakos

Attorney, Agent or Firm
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods for treating acne. The methods include exposing the subject afflicted with acne to ultraviolet light having a wavelength between about 320 to about 350 nm, such that the acne is treated, e.g., inhibited, diminished, eradicated or prevented. In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength is 335 nm and is emitted by either a nitrogen laser or a third harmonic of a NdYAG laser. Treatments can be administered over a several week period, where the subject is exposed to sequential doses of ultraviolet light to obtain beneficial effects, e.g., a reduction or elimination of the acne, e.g., an eradication or diminishment of the bacteria responsible for acne, e.g., Propionibacterium acnes.