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Double‐pass, low‐fluence laser treatment using a large spot‐size 1,450 nm laser improves acne
Author(s) -
Bernstein Eric F.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.20717
Subject(s) - acne , medicine , laser treatment , dermatology , laser , lesion , acne treatment , intense pulsed light , surgery , nuclear medicine , optics , physics
Background Laser treatment using a 1,450 nm diode laser has been shown to improve acne and acne scarring. Its widespread adoption in younger populations has been significantly limited by discomfort. A new double‐pass protocol reduced pain, but doubled treatment time. A new laser with a fourfold larger area treatment beam was developed to decrease treatment time and improve efficacy. Materials and Methods Thirteen subjects with active papular acne were enrolled in the study. Subjects were treated 4 times at monthly intervals using an average fluence of 7.8 J/cm 2 , a 12 mm spot and an average dynamic cooling device setting of 42.2, treating the entire face with 2 laser passes. Acne counts, Allen‐Smith acne grades and standardized digital photography were performed 2 months following the final treatment, and compared to pre‐treatment counts and photographs. Results Improvement in 11 subjects completing treatment evaluated by physician observers comparing pre‐ and post‐treatment photographs was rated as none to mild improvement in three subjects, moderate improvement in six subjects, and marked improvement in two subjects. Allen Smith acne scores decreased from 2.7 pre‐treatment to 2.0 post‐treatment, and lesion counts decreased from an average of 34.4 pre‐treatment to 16.1, 2 months post‐treatment. Pain ratings on a 1 (min) to 10 (max) scale averaged 4.9 (range 1–10). All subjects rated their skin as less oily at the follow‐up period. Conclusions Low‐energy, double pass 1,450 nm laser treatment with a larger 12 mm‐diameter spot size effectively reduces acne counts 2 months post‐treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:116–121, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.