Treatment of Inflammatory Facial Acne with 1,450‐nm Diode Laser in Type IV to V Asian Skin Using an Optimal Combination of Laser Parameters

• Published in: Dermatologic surgery Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 593 - 600
• Main Authors: YEUNG, CHI K., SHEK, SAMANTHA Y., YU, CAROL S., KONO, TARO, CHAN, HENRY H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.04.2009; by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Acne Vulgaris - complications; Acne Vulgaris - radiotherapy; Adolescent; Adult; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Face; Female; Humans; Hyperpigmentation - etiology; Hyperpigmentation - prevention & control; Laser Therapy - adverse effects; Male; Medical sciences; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; Skin plastic surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Young Adult; Skin disease; Treatment; Diode; Dermatology; Acne; Surgery; Laser; Skin; Face
• ISSN: 1076-0512; 1524-4725; 1524-4725
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01097.x

BACKGROUND The 1,450‐nm diode laser is effective for the treatment of inflammatory acne, but there is a significant risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Asian skin. OBJECTIVE To determine whether lower fluence and shorter cooling duration of the 1,450‐nm diode laser improve acne effectively with minimal PIH in darker skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty‐six subjects (skin phototypes IV–V) with inflammatory facial acne received four treatments using the 1,450‐nm diode laser with 6‐mm spot size 3 to 4 weeks apart. We used three passes with a fluence of 8 J/cm2 with dynamic cooling of 25 ms to minimize PIH. Serial blinded assessment of acne lesion counts and sebum measurement were evaluated before and up to 6 months after treatment. RESULTS Four weeks and 6 months after the last treatment, reduction of mean acne lesions was 29% (p<.01) and 40% (p<.03), respectively, from baseline in the group with moderate acne. Significant improvements of sebum production were noted. Four episodes of temporary PIH (3.8%) were observed out of all treatment sessions. CONCLUSION Use of multiple passes of a 1,450‐nm diode laser with lower fluence and shorter dynamic cooling device retains its therapeutic efficacy with substantial reduction of PIH for moderate acne.