title: A Comparative Split-Face Study Using Different Mild Purpuric and Subpurpuric Fluence Level of 595-nm Pulsed-Dye Laser for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various forms of laser therapy including the pulsed-dye laser (PDL) have been reported to reduce acne lesion counts.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the benefits and complications when using a 595-nm PDL for the treatment of acne vulgaris were evaluated when comparing a subpurpuric (low) fluence level with a purpuric (high) fluence level.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a prospective, single-blinded split-face clinical trial. Inclusion criteria included subjects with moderate to severe facial acne. All participants were treated with PDL, with each half of the face receiving either high or low fluence at 3-week intervals for a total of 4 treatments. Standardized facial photographs were obtained and blindly evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-two subjects were enrolled with a mean age of 22.3 years. Fifty-five patients completed the study. The results showed a significant decrease in lesion counts compared with baseline after all treatments. However, the study did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the fluence parameters. The only treatment-related adverse event was temporary hyperpigmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that PDL is effective in reducing acne lesions using purpuric and subpurpuric fluences. However, there was no statistically significant difference in acne lesion count between the higher and lower fluences.
authors.affiliation: *Dermatosurgery, Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand; Departments of †Dermatology, ‡Otolaryngology, and §Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Nataya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Voravutinon
authors.forename: Jinda
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rojanamatin
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sadhwani
authors.forename: Sanjana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iyengar
authors.forename: Murad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alam
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D010780:Photogrammetry; D011693:Purpura / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult