Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light Combined with Topical Erythromycin Solution 2% versus Topical Erythromycin Solution 2% Alone in the Treatment of Persistent Facial Erythematous Acne Macules

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Professor, Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran AND Skin diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center AND Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center AND Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center AND Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

5 Associate Professor, Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: There is always a necessity for newer acne treatments. Intense pulsed light (IPL) technology has been used for this purpose but there are limited studies in this field. As macular and erythematous remnants of acne inflammatory lesions are very common, resistant, and long-lasting, we decided to evaluate the efficacy of IPL (as a tool for diminishing erythematous reactions in the tissues) for the treatment of residual erythematous macules following facial acne.Methods: Thirty five patients were registered in the study. Patient recruitment occurred between January 2010 and June 2011, and the study was completed in October 2011. Every patient received three IPL sessions, with a 2 week interval, on the right side of his/her face. Also, we recommended the patients to apply topical erythromycin solution 2% twice daily on their entire face from start to end of the study (i.e. until 3 months after the third IPL session). An independent physician counted the number of erythematous macules before every IPL session and 1 and 3 months after the last session.Findings: Thirty three patients completed the study and were enrolled in analysis. Results of the study showed that IPL therapy decreased the number of erythematous macules along the time.Conclusions: IPL can accelerate the improvement rate of the persistent erythematous macules remained after inflammatory acne subsides. More studies are needed to explain the exact role of it. 

Keywords


  1. Goldman MP, Boyce SM. A single-center study of aminolevulinic acid and 417 NM photodynamic therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol 2003; 2(4): 393-6.
  2. Heymann WR. Intense pulsed light. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 56(3): 466-7.
  3. Santos MA, Belo VG, Santos G. Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid and intense pulsed light versus intense pulsed light alone in the treatment of acne vulgaris: comparative study. Dermatol Surg 2005; 31(8 Pt 1): 910-5.
  4. Mariwalla K, Rohrer TE. Use of lasers and light-based therapies for treatment of acne vulgaris. Lasers Surg Med 2005; 37(5): 333-42.
  5. Chang SE, Ahn SJ, Rhee DY, Choi JH, Moon KC, Suh HS, et al. Treatment of facial acne papules and pustules in Korean patients using an intense pulsed light device equipped with a 530- to 750-nm filter. Dermatol Surg 2007; 33(6): 676-9.
  6. Taub AF. A comparison of intense pulsed light, combination radiofrequency and intense pulsed light, and blue light in photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol 2007; 6(10): 1010-6.
  7. Torres V, Torezan L. Light based therapies for skin of color. London, UK: Springer; 2009. p. 249- 61.
  8. Rojanamatin J, Choawawanich P. Treatment of inflammatory facial acne vulgaris with intense pulsed light and short contact of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid: a pilot study. Dermatol Surg 2006; 32(8): 991-6.
  9. Yeung CK, Shek SY, Bjerring P, Yu CS, Kono T, Chan HH. A comparative study of intense pulsed light alone and its combination with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of facial acne in Asian skin. Lasers Surg Med 2007; 39(1): 1-6.
  10. Haedersdal M, Togsverd-Bo K, Wulf HC. Evidence-based review of lasers, light sources and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008; 22(3): 267-78.
  11. Sami NA, Attia AT, Badawi AM. Phototherapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol 2008; 7(7): 627-32.