Efficacy of a novel combination of pneumatic energy and broadband light for the treatment of acne.
BACKGROUND
A novel photopneumatic platform (Isolaz, Pleasanton, CA), combining vacuum pressure with a broadband light source device has been designed to attack multiple targets for the effective treatment of acne.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of photopneumatic technology for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.


METHODS
Eleven subjects (7 women) aged 15 to 54 years with skin types 1 to 4 presented with mild to moderate facial acne (defined as 15 or more facial inflammatory or noninflammatory lesions) were recruited to the study. All subjects underwent 4 photopneumatic treatments at 3-week intervals with follow-up visits at 1 and 3 months.


RESULTS
Inflammatory lesion counts continued to decrease for at least 3 months after the final treatment. At 3 months, reductions in lesion counts were significant for both inflammatory (P = .0137) and noninflammatory (P = .0383) lesions. Mean scores between visits consistently dropped sharply from their immediate posttreatment values for pain, erythema, and edema. Nine subjects (82%) were moderately satisfied to very satisfied with treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that the photopneumatic device is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory and comedonal acne vulgaris.
Gold
Michael H
MH
Gold Skin Care Center, Tennessee Clinical Research Center, USA. goldskin@goldskincare.com
Biron
Julie
J
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome