A Split-face Study Of Comparison In Between Intense Pulsed Light And 595-nm Pulsed Dye Laser For The Treatment Of Post-acne Erythema

Objective: We compared the effect and safety of a Intense Pulsed Light(IPL) and a 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for the treatment of acne erythema.Methods: Twenty patients with acne erythema were enrolled.Patients sides of the face were randomized to receive treatment with a IPL or a PDL for a total of three treatments at 4-week intervals. Erythema index(EI) was recorded at each visit before the treatment as well as one month later. Wrinkles,texture and pores were also recorded before and after the total of three treatment by VISIA machine.The color of post-acne erythema lesions was quantified into four severity grades before and after the total of three treatment by the primary investigator and a questionnaire for satisfaction at the last follow-up. Adverse effects were recorded and the pain score was recorded after each treatment using a visual analog scale (VAS) .Results: Statistically significant improvements in baseline acne erythema were observed through an improved erythema index on both treated sides (F=197.666, P<0.001) . Mean erythema indices decreased from a mean baseline value of 472.25±86.02 to 357.15±82.71 after the treatment in IPL and 476.40±74.25 to 360.05±64.83 in PDL.The improvements from each laser treatment were significantly different (F=1173.909,P<0.001) .It suggests better clinical efficacy with the use of a IPL. Significant improvements were noted in wrinkles,texture and pores on both treated sides (P<0.001) .It suggests better clinical efficacy in wrinkles and pores with the use of a IPL (P<0.022,P<0.001) .Significant improvements were also noted in the Four-Point Post,Acne Erythema Severity Grading on both treated sides (P<0.001) .Patients reported lower pain on the PDL-treated sites (P < 0.05) and they assessed their improvement as good or excellent in 75% of IPL-treated sites and 85%of PDL-treated sites. Treatment was well-tolerated and adverse effects were limited to transient erythema and pigmentation at treatment sites.Conclusions: Both Intense Pulsed Light and 595-nm pulsed dye laser are effective and safe modalities for the treatment of acne erythema; however, these data suggest better clinical efficacy with the use of a IPL,but it is found to be more painful than a PDL.