Red light phototherapy alone is effective for acne vulgaris: randomized, single-blinded clinical trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Recently, a demand for safe and effective treatment of acne has been increasing. Although visible light has attracted attention as a new option, the effect of red light alone has not yet been evaluated.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective was to assess the efficacy of red light phototherapy with a portable device in acne vulgaris.

METHODS:

Twenty-eight volunteers with mild to moderate acne were treated with portable red light-emitting devices in this split-face randomized trial. The right or left side of the face was randomized to treatment side and phototherapy was performed for 15 minutes twice a day for 8 weeks. Clinical photographs, lesion counts, and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to assess each side of the face at baseline and Weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8, and a split-face comparison was performed.

RESULTS:

The percent improvement in noninflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts of the treated side was significant compared to the control side (p<.005). VAS decreased from 3.9 to 1.9 on the treatment side and the difference between the treatment and control sides was significant at Week 8 (p<.005).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study shows that red light phototherapy alone can be a new therapeutic option for acne vulgaris.

• Authors: Jung Im Na, Dae Hun Suh
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 33 Issue 10 Pg. 1228-33; discussion 1233 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 1076-0512 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17903156 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (pathology, therapy)
• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Phototherapy (methods)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Single-Blind Method
• Treatment Outcome