A study to determine the effect of combination blue (415 nm) and near-infrared (830 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) therapy for moderate acne vulgaris

The use of light in the treatment of acne vulgaris-a review

Topical and oral antibiotic therapy is also a popular method of treatment. The effectiveness of this method is limited by the increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. Over the decades since the introduction of antibiotics to treat acne, the resistance levels of bacteria have changed. This defense mechanism is developed evolutionarily. Modifications of antibiotic receptor sites, alteration of drug influx/efflux, or enzymatic degradation are common mechanisms used by bacteria to initiate and strengthen internal antibiotic resistance. The basic chromophores used in light therapy are hemoglobin, melanin, water bound to proteins, and porphyrins. Hemoglobin absorbs light mainly at 580 nm, while melanin absorbs the entire visible spectral range (400-750 nm). Porphyrins are aromatic compounds, classified as photosensitizing substances, intensively absorbing blue light, and to a lesser extent in long visible bands, such as orange and red light. Using IPL makes it possible to cover the maximum light absorption of porphyrins and hemoglobin, therefore it can be an effective tool in the treatment of inflammatory lesions in acne vulgaris. In view of the effectiveness of light therapy and its effect even on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is worth considering the possibility of using light therapy instead of antibiotic therapy. Due to the increasing resistance of bacteria to antimicrobials, they should be used with caution and as a last resort. The high-energy light treatment act only locally (unlike with antibiotics taken orally) and on a chromophore, such as melanin, hemoglobin, or porphyrins.

The Anti-Acne Effect of Near-Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy

Background

Acne vulgaris is a skin problem affecting many people of different ages. Phototherapy is one of the acne treatment options. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of near-infrared low-level laser therapy on acne lesions.

Materials and Methods

The prospective study involved a total number of 27 women, aged 18 to 45 years, with mild to severe acne. All the participants underwent a series of six treatments with the use of a 785 nm low-level laser with the power density 80mW/cm², performed every two weeks. The analysis of the effectiveness of the performed procedures was based on sebumetric examination, photographic documentation and assessment of the change in the number of acne lesions.

Results

Significant improvements in acne lesions (assessed as non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts) and a significant decrease in skin sebum excretion were observed after the treatment. No adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion

A series of six treatments using a near-infrared low-level laser represents a safe and effective non-invasive therapy option for acne vulgaris.

Photobiomodulation: The Clinical Applications of Low-Level Light Therapy

BACKGROUND

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is a recent addition to the pantheon of light-based therapeutic interventions. The absorption of red/near-infrared light energy, a process termed "photobiomodulation," enhances mitochondrial ATP production, cell signaling, and growth factor synthesis, and attenuates oxidative stress. Photobiomodulation is now highly commercialized with devices marketed directly to the consumer. In the gray area between the commercial and therapeutic sectors, harnessing the clinical potential in reproducible and scientifically measurable ways remains challenging.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this article was to summarize the clinical evidence for photobiomodulation and discuss the regulatory framework for this therapy.

METHODS

A review of the clinical literature pertaining to the use of LLLT for skin rejuvenation (facial rhytids and dyschromias), acne vulgaris, wound healing, body contouring, and androgenic alopecia was performed.

RESULTS

A reasonable body of clinical trial evidence exists to support the role of low-energy red/near-infrared light as a safe and effective method of skin rejuvenation, treatment of acne vulgaris and alopecia, and, especially, body contouring. Methodologic flaws, small patient cohorts, and industry funding mean there is ample scope to improve the quality of evidence. It remains unclear if light-emitting diode sources induce physiologic effects of compararable nature and magnitude to those of the laser-based systems used in most of the higher-quality studies.

CONCLUSIONS

LLLT is here to stay. However, its ubiquity and commercial success have outpaced empirical approaches on which solid clinical evidence is established. Thus, the challenge is to prove its therapeutic utility in retrospect. Well-designed, adequately powered, independent clinical trials will help us answer some of the unresolved questions and enable the potential of this therapy to be realized.

Acne - therapeutic challenges to the cooperation between a dermatologist and a cosmetologist

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases in adolescence, causing a significant negative impact on the quality of life of young people who - in a large percentage of cases - do not accept their appearance. The complex pathogenesis of this disease requires appropriate preventive and curative treatment from both a dermatologist and a cosmetologist. The aim of the study was to discuss the methods currently used by dermatologists in local therapy for mild and intermediate forms of acne vulgaris, and to provide an overview of possible preventive and caring activities in the cosmetologist's office. Possible directions of cooperation between the dermatologist and the cosmetologist in the prevention of acne relapse and treatment of possible acne complications were also discussed.

Successful Treatment of Digital Ischemia Following a Carbon Dioxide Laser and Tourniquet for a Digital Procedure With Adjuvant Low-Level Laser Therapy

A digital tourniquet with/without epinephrine is commonly used in local anesthetics when operating on digits. However, such a complication as digital ischemia could occur following tourniquet application. We reported an elderly patient with atherosclerotic risk factors and she subsequently underwent a digital tourniquet, partial nail plate removal, and a carbon dioxide laser treatment for subungual wart with digital gangrene development. The successful treatment consisted of wound-dressing, medication, and adjuvant low-level light therapy (LLLT) to enhance the wound healing process, thereby resulting in almost complete recovery of skin color and function of the digit in 3 months. In conclusion, the digital tourniquet should be cautiously applied, especially in elderly patients with atherothrombosis, under minimal pressure and appropriate length of time. Moreover, LLLT could be an effective adjuvant treatment to prevent the vascular complications of the digit.

Energy-Based Devices in Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a chronic dermatologic complaint with a multifactorial cause. Traditionally, antibiotics and retinoids have been used to manage the condition; patient compliance has been an ongoing issue. A variety of energy-based devices have been reported to be effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE

To review and summarize the current literature specific to treatment of acne vulgaris with energy-based devices.

METHODS

A review of the current literature of energy-based devices used for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Although limited randomized controlled trials for the treatment of acne have been performed, significant clinical improvement of acne vulgaris, especially of inflammatory lesions, has been demonstrated with a variety of energy-based devices. Newer approaches may lead to even better results.

[LED lights in dermatology]

The use in dermatology of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) continues to be surrounded by controversy. This is due mainly to poor knowledge of the physicochemical phases of a wide range of devices that are difficult to compare to one another, and also to divergences between irrefutable published evidence either at the level of in vitro studies or at the cellular level, and discordant clinical results in a variety of different indications: rejuvenation, acne, wound healing, leg ulcers, and cutaneous inflammatory or autoimmune processes. Therapeutic LEDs can emit wavelengths ranging from the ultraviolet, through visible light, to the near infrared (247-1300 nm), but only certain bands have so far demonstrated any real value. We feel certain that if this article remains factual, then readers will have a different, or at least more nuanced, opinion concerning the use of such LED devices in dermatology.

Clinical comparison of salicylic acid peel and LED-Laser phototherapy for the treatment of Acne vulgaris in teenagers

Acne vulgaris treatments usually cause sensitivity, teratogenicity and bacterial resistance. Investigations of other therapeutic techniques, such as phototherapy, are highly relevant. Thus, we compared the effectiveness of two Acne vulgaris treatments in adolescents: peeling with salicylic acid (SA) and phototherapy. Teens were randomly divided into: group I, treatment with SA peels (10%) and group II, treatment with phototherapy (blue LED and red laser lights). Photographs were taken before and after ten sessions of each treatment, carried out weekly, and compared. To compare the differences between the treatments, the Student t-test was used. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Both techniques are effective therapies for the treatment of acne in teenagers since the number of comedones, papules and pustules decreased significantly at the end of the session. However, when the two treatments were compared, phototherapy showed a significant difference in reducing the number of pustules. The combined use of red and blue lights due to their anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties is a more efficient alternative for treating Acne vulgaris in relation to SA and proves more reliable and without side effects, improving the adolescents' skin health.

Light-based therapies in acne treatment

The use of light and laser in the treatment of acne is increasing as these modalities are safe, effective, and associated with no or minimal complications when used appropriately. These light and laser sources are also being used in combination with pharmacological and/or physical measures to synergize their effects and optimize the therapeutic outcome. This review focuses on optical devices used in treating acne and serves to delineate the current application of various methods, including their utility and efficacy.

Analgesic Effect of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Therapy at Wavelengths of 635 and 945 nm on Bothrops moojeni Venom-Induced Hyperalgesia

Envenoming induced by Bothrops snakes is characterized by drastic local tissue damage involving hemorrhage, myonecrosis and proeminent inflammatory and hyperalgesic response. The most effective treatment is antivenom therapy, which is ineffective in neutralizing the local response. Herein, it was evaluated the effectiveness of light-emitting diode (LED) at wavelengths of 635 and 945 nm in reducing inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by Bothrops moojeni venom (BmV) in mice, produced by an subplantar injection of BmV (1 μg). Mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia were assessed by von Frey filaments at 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after venom injection. The site of BmV injection (1.2 cm(2) ) was irradiated by LEDs at 30 min and 3 h after venom inoculation. Both 635 nm (110 mW, fluence of 3.76 J/cm(2) and 41 s of irradiation time) and 945 nm (120 mW, fluence of 3.8 J/cm(2) and 38 s of irradiation time) LED inhibited mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia of mice alone or in combination with antivenom treatment, even when the symptoms were already present. The effect of phototherapy in reducing local pain induced by BmV should be considered as a novel therapeutic tool for the treatment of local symptoms induced after bothropic snake bites.

New approaches in light/laser therapies and photodynamic treatment of acne

Acne is a domain in which the technology and understanding of light/laser therapeutic procedures have advanced considerably. The aim of the paper was to revisit adjunctive physical treatments of acne, including light/laser treatments and photodynamic therapy. This review summarizes findings about such treatment modalities with particular emphasis on efficacy and safety. A number of laser/light-based modalities have been developed to meet the increasing demand for new acne treatments. The current devices correspond, on the one hand, to light-emitting diode therapy and, on the other hand, to the 532-nm potassium titanyl phosphate laser, the 585- and 595-nm pulsed dye laser, the 1450-nm diode laser, the 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser and intense pulsed light. Photodynamic therapy is also available. It is claimed that light/laser treatments might induce a faster response compared with the 1-3 months needed for response to traditional oral and topical treatments. In conclusion, pulsed dye laser shows efficacy in some patients with mild to moderate acne. The relative effectiveness compared with other treatments is unconfirmed; from the published information, evidence-based efficacy assessment of light/laser therapies in acne remains almost impossible.