Laser and light therapies for acne

Abstract

• Acne vulgaris is a very common cutaneous disorder which can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement. • Acne is a multifactorial disorder of pilosebaceous units and affects the areas of skin with the greatest concentration of sebaceous follicles such as the face, neck, chest, and back. • Common therapies for acne treatment include retinoids, keratolytic agents, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory agents. • The need for an alternative treatment has led to the investigation of lasers and light sources as a new treatment. • The 1450 nm diode laser, 585-and 595-nm pulsed dye lasers (PDLs), near infrared diode lasers, 1320 nm Nd:YAG laser, 532 nm potassium titanyl phosphate laser, 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser, 1540 nm Erbium (Er):Glass Laser, and the 1550 nm Er:Glass fractional laser are among the most common lasers used to treat acne and acne scarring. • 1540 nm Erbium (Er):Glass Laser, and the 1550 nm Er:Glass fractional laser are among the most common lasers used to treat acne and acne scarring. • These lasers target the underlying causes of acne including the colonization of Priopionibacterium acnes, high levels of sebum production, altered keratinization, inflammation, and bacterial colonization of hair follicles on the face, neck, and back.