A study to determine the effect of combination blue (415 nm) and near-infrared (830 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) therapy for moderate acne vulgaris.
OBJECTIVE
Acne vulgaris remains a major problem in dermatological practice. Phototherapy for acne with blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) arrays has recently attracted attention. This pilot study assessed the efficacy of the combination of 415 nm and near-infrared (IR) LED therapy for moderate acne.


METHODS
Seventeen individuals were recruited: 13 females and four males. Skin types ranged from type II to type VI, and the acne grades at baseline ranged from Burton grade 1 to 5. Patients underwent twice-weekly 20-minute sessions of LED therapy for 4 weeks, alternating between the blue (415 nm) and near-IR (830 nm) heads. No other treatment was allowed. Results were assessed and compared with the baseline values at 1, 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment.


RESULTS
Six individuals failed to complete the study. Eleven individuals showed improvement ranging from 0% to 83.3%. A downward shift in the Burton grade was seen overall. Non-inflammatory lesion counts increased in four patients, but improved in the other seven by an average of 48.8%. No adverse effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination therapy for acne produced results which were less effective in the reduction of inflammatory lesions than those achieved with the previously reported blue/red combination. Further study with a much larger patient population is warranted.
Sadick
Neil
N
Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. nssderm@sadickdermatology.com
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult