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Evaluation of the 1,540-nm Erbium:Glass Laser in the Treatment of Inflammatory Facial Acne |
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| Authors: | MELISSA A. BOGLE MD JEFFREY S. DOVER MD FRCPC KENNETH A. ARNDT MD SERGE MORDON PHD |
| Affiliation: | The Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Center of Houston, Houston, Texas;;SkinCare Physicians, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts;;Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut;;Department of Medicine (Dermatology), Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire;;Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts;;INSERM, Lille, France |
| Abstract: | BACKGROUND The erbium:glass laser is approved to treat inflammatory acne on the back. OBJECTIVE This aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the 1,540-nm erbium:glass laser in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne on the face. METHODS AND MATERIALS An erbium:glass laser (Aramis, Quantel Medical, Clermont-Ferrand, France) was used to treat 15 patients with moderate to severe acne four times at 2-week intervals. Active lesions were first treated with six pulses at 10 J/cm RESULTS At 6-month follow-up, patients rated improvement as 68%, and the mean investigator improvement assessment was 78%. Sebum measurements did not change. No patients required anesthesia, and no side effects were observed. A single retreatment session 6 months after the initial course held clearance at 80% at 9-month follow-up, whereas patients without retreatment had 72% clearance. CONCLUSION Treatment of inflammatory facial acne with the 1,540-nm erbium:glass laser is effective and relatively painless. Papules, pustules, and nodules all respond well to therapy. Additional treatment sessions may prolong the lesion-free period, and maintenance therapy should be included as a part of the treatment course. |
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