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Treatment of mild-to-moderate
acne vulgaris using a combined light and heat energy device: Home-use clinical
study.
J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2010 Dec;12(6):276-283.
Sadick NS, Laver Z, Laver L.
Department of Dermatology, Weill
Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
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Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Light and heat devices
have become widely used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne
as an alternative to retinoids and antibiotics.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether a hand-held device that emits
both light and heat energy can safely and effectively be applied at home to
shorten the time to improvement and time to resolution of acne papules and
pustules.
Methods: A two-center, randomized,
placebo-controlled, double-blind study was conducted on 63 subjects with at
least four inflamed, facial, acne lesions. Treatments were self-administered
twice a day for 4 days. All lesions were photographed on a daily basis.
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Treatment results were assessed by two
blinded evaluators, based on the macro photographs, using a 4-point visual
analogue scale (VAS) and a photographic lesion reference scale (PLRS), as well
as by the subjects. Safety was assessed based on evaluators and subjects'
reported side effects and adverse events.
Results: Twenty-nine subjects in the
treatment arm and 32 subjects in the placebo arm, with skin types II-VI,
successfully completed the study.
Based on blinded VAS scores, 92.24% of the
lesions treated with an active device improved within a median time of 1 day
versus 75.78% and a median time of 2 days for the placebo arm. At 24 hours the
improvement rate was 76.72% for the active arm versus 15.63% for the placebo
arm.
Based on blinded PLRS scores, 87.07% of the
lesions treated with an active device improved within a median time of 2 days
versus 64.8% and 3 days for the placebo. A total of 51.7% of the active arm
lesions resolved within a median time of 4 days versus 36% (no median) for the
placebo arm lesions.
No device-related adverse events occurred
throughout the study.
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Conclusion:
This study demonstrates the
safety and effectiveness of the hand-held, combined light and heat energy
device for at-home treatment of individual mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne
lesions. Statistically significant shorter lesion improvement and lesion
resolution rates were found.
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