title: Integrated cooling-vacuum-assisted 1540-nm erbium:glass laser is effective in treating mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
abstract: Acne treatment by a mid-infrared laser may be unsatisfactory due to deeply situated acne-affected sebaceous glands which serve as its target. Skin manipulation by vacuum and contact cooling may improve laser-skin interaction, reduce pain sensation, and increase overall safety and efficacy. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of acne treatment using an integrated cooling-vacuum-assisted 1540-nm erbium:glass laser, a prospective interventional study was conducted. It included 12 patients (seven men and five women) suffering from mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. The device utilizes a mid-infrared 1540-nm laser (Alma Lasers Ltd. Caesarea, Israel), which is integrated with combined cooling-vacuum-assisted technology. An acne lesion is initially manipulated upon contact by a vacuum-cooling-assisted tip, followed by three to four stacked laser pulses (500-600 mJ, 4 mm spot size, and frequency of 2 Hz). Patients underwent four to six treatment sessions with a 2-week interval and were followed-up 1 and 3 months after the last treatment. Clinical photographs were taken by high-resolution digital camera before and after treatment. Clinical evaluation was performed by two independent dermatologists, and results were graded on a scale of 0 (exacerbation) to 4 (76-100 % improvement). Patients' and physicians' satisfaction was also recorded. Pain perception and adverse effects were evaluated as well. All patients demonstrated a moderate to significant improvement (average score of 3.6 and 2.0 within 1 and 3 months, respectively, following last treatment session). No side effects, besides a transient erythema, were observed. Cooling-vacuum-assisted 1540-nm laser is safe and effective for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
authors.affiliation: Herzelia Dermatolgy and Laser Center, Herzelia Pituach, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Politi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Laser Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel. docalevi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hadassah Medical Organization-The Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Enk
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Laser Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.|Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lapidoth
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D058748:Pain Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013696:Temperature; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014618:Vacuum; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acne; Cooling vacuum; Erbium:glass; Laser treatment