Derm News: 2007.5(1)

A new targeted blue light phototherapy for the treatment of acne

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine 23 (1), 32-34.
Reiko Noborio, Emi Nishida, Mariko Kurokawa, Akimichi Morita

Background

The effects of blue light phototherapy on inflammatory acne lesions were recently investigated. Many reports have used high-intensity, narrow-band 420 nm UV-free blue light delivery systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new blue light system (MultiClear™) for targeted blue light phototherapy.

Methods

Ten Japanese patients with acne on the face or back were treated with targeted blue light once or twice a week. Acne severity was graded according to the acne severity score suggested by Allen and Smith (1982). If the acne was prevalent on the back or chest, the acne severity score of Burton et al. (1971) was adopted. The new targeting blue light system is equipped with a flexible optical light guide as a delivery system and the treatment device is placed directly only on the affected area.

Results

Of the 10 patients, eight had a significantly reduced acne severity score without any side effects. Although two patients discontinued the study because of unsatisfactory results, none of the patients showed any harmful side effects from the targeted blue light phototherapy.

Conclusions

Targeted blue light phototherapy with MultiClear™ is effective for the treatment of inflammatory acne lesions. This new irradiation device offers some advantages over previous blue light systems.

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The Derm News service provided by the Editorial Consultants of Skin Therapy Letter^© and its founding editor Dr. Stuart Maddin.