A new targeted blue light phototherapy for the treatment of acne.
BACKGROUND
The effects of blue light phototherapy on inflammatory acne lesions were recently investigated. Many reports have used high-intensity, narrow-band 420 nm UV-free blue light delivery systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new blue light system (MultiClear) for targeted blue light phototherapy.


METHODS
Ten Japanese patients with acne on the face or back were treated with targeted blue light once or twice a week. Acne severity was graded according to the acne severity score suggested by Allen and Smith (1982). If the acne was prevalent on the back or chest, the acne severity score of Burton et al. (1971) was adopted. The new targeting blue light system is equipped with a flexible optical light guide as a delivery system and the treatment device is placed directly only on the affected area.


RESULTS
Of the 10 patients, eight had a significantly reduced acne severity score without any side effects. Although two patients discontinued the study because of unsatisfactory results, none of the patients showed any harmful side effects from the targeted blue light phototherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Targeted blue light phototherapy with MultiClear is effective for the treatment of inflammatory acne lesions. This new irradiation device offers some advantages over previous blue light systems.
Noborio
Reiko
R
Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Nagoya, Japan.
Nishida
Emi
E
Kurokawa
Mariko
M
Morita
Akimichi
A
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D001415:Back; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome