title: A randomized controlled study for the treatment of acne vulgaris using high-intensity 414 nm solid state diode arrays.
abstract: The treatment of acne vulgaris poses a challenge to the dermatologist, and the disease causes emotional anxiety for the patient. The treatment of acne vulgaris may be well-suited to home-use applications, where sufferers may be too embarrassed to seek medical treatment. This randomized controlled study is designed to quantify the effectiveness of using a blue light device in a therapy combined with proprietary creams, in the investigation of a self-treatment regimen. A total of 41 adults with mild-to-moderate facial inflammatory acne were recruited. The subjects were randomly assigned to combination blue light therapy (n = 26) or control (n = 15). Photography was used for qualitative assessment of lesion counts, at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. All subjects in the treatment cohort achieved a reduction in their inflammatory lesion counts after 12 weeks. The mean inflammatory lesion counts reduced by 50.02% in the treatment cohort, and increased by 2.45% in the control cohort. The reduction in inflammatory lesions was typically observable at week-3, and maximal between weeks 8 and 12. The treatment is free of pain and side-effects. The blue light device offers a valuable alternative to antibiotics and potentially irritating topical treatments. Blue light phototherapy, using a narrow-band LED light source, appears to be a safe and effective additional therapy for mild to moderate acne.
authors.affiliation: The Dezac Group Ltd , Cheltenham , UK.
authors.forename: Caerwyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ash
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Drew
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whittall
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006016:Glycolates; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; C031149:glycolic acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D020156:Salicylic Acid
keywords: LED; RCT; acne vulgaris; light-emitting diodes; photorejuvenation