Efficacy and Safety of Intense Pulsed Light in Patients of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of IPL in patients with inflammatory Acne Vulgaris. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Fazaia Medical College, Islamabad Pakistan, from Aug 2019 to Jan 2020. Methodology: Ninety patients with inflammatory facial acne were enrolled and received four Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) sessions at two weeks intervals with fluence 25J/cm2 and 420nm cut-off filter. The duration of treatment for each patient was two months. Clinical improvement was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System score (GAGs score). Results: Mean age of the patients was 18.5±3.3years, of which nine were males (10%), and 81 were females (90%). IPL was effective in 42(46.7%) patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris. The median GAGS score before treatment was 20(22–19), and after treatment was 10(12-9), with a significant p-value(<0.001). Only 8(9%) developed erythema, and 1(1%) patient developed post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Conclusions: Intense Pulsed Light was a significantly effective and safe treatment for inflammatory acne of all grades, ages, and genders.