Photopneumatic technology used in combination with profusion therapy for the treatment of acne.

BACKGROUND: Topical and oral medications, such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and isotretinoin, have been the standard of care for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne for the last several decades. More recently, a number of pubHshed studies on optical treatments, such as ultraviolet light, visible (blue) light, and intense pulsed Hght systems, have also shown clinical improvement in the appearance of acne. Specifically, photopneumatic technology, which utilizes gentle pneumatic energy (vacuum) to draw the target tissue into the treatment tip and then deHver broadband pulsed Hght to the dermal targets, has demonstrated marked improvement in the appearance of acne lesions and side effects associated with acne. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of using a combination treatment of the photopneumatic system and profusion therapy using three currently marketed topical agents for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne on the face and/or body, including neck, chest, or back. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, dinical trial of 41 individuals with mild-to-moderate acne was performed. Patients received up to four treatments at 1- to 2-week intervals with the photopneumatic system and profusion therapy with three separate topical agents. Study investigators and subjects evaluated dinical efficacy at 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. RESULTS: At three months, a 69-percent reduction was noted in inflamed acne lesions and a 41-percent reduction in noninflamed acne lesions was noted by physician assessment. Additionally, at this same time point, subjects reported moderate-to-marked (26-75%) improvement in acne lesions. Eighty-one percent of subjects (22/27) were either satisfied or very satisfied with treatment outcome. There were no adverse events caused by malfunction of the device, and no serious adverse events or deaths. CONCLUSION: The results, as well as the reported patient satisfaction and safety, suggest that the treatment of acne with the photopneumatic system in combination with profusion using currently available topical acne agents demonstrated significant treatment results.