COMPARISON OF THE TREATMENT OF FACIAL ACNE: “1450-NM DIODE LASER” VERSUS “595-NM PULSED-DYE LASER AND 1450-NM DIODE LASER”

Both the 595-nm pulsed-dye laser and the 1450-nm diode laser have been found to be effective for the treatment of mild-to-moderate inflammatory facial acne. The pulsed-dye laser appears to destroy Propionibacterium acnes and reduce post-inflammatory erythema. The 1450-nm diode laser thermally damages the dermis, altering sebaceous units. The purpose of this study was to compare the response of the 1450-nm diode laser (Smoothbeam™, Candela Corporation, Wayland, MA) with dynamic cooling against a combination treatment with a 1450-nm diode laser with dynamic cooling and 595-nm pulsed dye laser, Vbeam™ (Vbeam™, Candela Corporation, Wayland, MA), also with dynamic cooling, for the treatment of inflammatory facial acne and redness.

8 subjects completed 3 treatment sessions in this IRB-approved, split-face, prospective study. One side of the face was randomly treated with the 1450-nm diode laser alone and the other side with the combination of the 595-nm pulsed dye laser and the 1450-nm diode laser. Subjects were evaluated 1, 3, and 12 months after the final treatment. Subjects’ subjective responses to treatment were evaluated regarding improvement in acne, acne scars, oiliness, and redness.

All subjects were followed for 12 months after the last treatment and had reductions in their acne lesion counts. There was a 92% and 80% improvement for the 1450-nm diode laser only side and with the combination of the 595-nm pulsed dye laser and the 1450-nm diode laser side, respectively. Marked improvement in redness was noted in 75% of the subjects for both treatment regimens. The majority of subjects reported the side treated with combination of the 595-nm pulsed dye laser and the 1450-nm diode laser to be more improved in terms of redness.

This prospective study suggests that the combination of the 595-nm pulsed dye laser and the 1450-nm diode laser may be considered as a treatment option for patients with post-inflammatory erythema associated with inflammatory acne vulgaris and acne scarring. All subjects had a marked reduction of acne lesion counts and notable improvement in erythema. Patients also reported improvement in acne scarring. Subjective improvement in erythema and acne lesions was greater on the side of the face treated with the combination treatment. Results were maintained at 12-months after the last treatment.