[Pulsed dye laser treatment of acne. Study of clinical efficacy and mechanism of action].
BACKGROUND
Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease of the pilosebaceous unit characterized by the development of inflammatory (papules, pustules, cysts) and/or non inflammatory lesions (open and closed comedones) that may progress to scars. The increase of bacterial resistances, adverse effects and teratogenicity of retinoids and lack of response to usual therapies have led to investigate new therapeutic alternatives for acne.


METHODS
We studied 36 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. We performed treatment every 4 weeks using pulsed dye laser therapy with a wavelength of 585 nm and pulse duration of 350 microseconds.


RESULTS
At twelve weeks of treatment a decrease of 27 % of non inflammatory lesions and of 57 % of active lesions was observed. Treatment was well tolerated and considered positive, in terms of healing, in 25 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulse dye laser therapy mainly improves inflammatory lesions of acne with few adverse effects.
Harto
A
A
Unidad de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España. antonioharto@hotmail.com
García-Morales
I
I
Belmar
P
P
Jaén
P
P
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000528:radiation effects; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011166:Porphyrins