A Comparative Study Between Once‐Weekly and Alternating Twice‐Weekly Regimen Using Blue (470 nm) and Red (640 nm) Light Combination LED Phototherapy for Moderate‐to‐Severe Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

Background and Objective Phototherapy for acne with a combination of blue and red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) appears to have excellent potential in treating inflammatory acne. However, a standard twice‐weekly protocol administered 3 days apart may not be practical for patients. This study aims to seek the efficacy of LED treatment in moderate to severe acne, comparing between once and alternating twice‐weekly regimens. Study Design/Materials and Methods Thirty subjects with moderate to severe acne, as defined by Burton's grading score, were recruited in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups‐ one group received alternating blue (470 nm) and red (640 nm) light in two visits per week for 4 consecutive weeks, while the other group got blue and red light treatments consecutively on the same visit for 4 consecutive weeks. During the study period, conventional treatments were prohibited. Clinical assessments were performed by lesion counts and blinded comparative photographs before treatment and at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after the final treatment. Results There was no statistically significant difference between once‐ and alternating twice‐weekly regimens. Both regimens provided marked improvement only for inflammatory lesions. The median percentage of acne reduction was significantly demonstrated for 1 week after finishing the course of treatment and was sustained until the end of the study. There were no side effects noted throughout the study period. Conclusion LED therapy is safe and effective for treatment of inflammatory acne. The treatment outcomes of once and alternating twice‐weekly regimens were comparable, hence, once‐weekly treatment could be considered as an alternative choice for patient's convenience. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea Clinical Trials From 2011 to 2021

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Multiple-wavelength radiation promotes hair growth by enhancing the early stages of hair follicle development in human dermal papilla cells and C57BL/6 mice

“…In particular, blue light, which forms a large percentage of ultraviolet A light (380-400 nm) and frequently has a wide variety of wavelengths, has been used in light treatment more frequently in recent years. Furthermore, many blue light-emitting lamps are advertised as improving well-being, emitting blue light at a maximum of 400-440 nm [14]. We conducted a thorough investigation using LED arrays to assess the impact of various wavelengths (412-940 nm) on skin cells.…”

The Effect of Intense Pulsed Light on the Skin Microbiota and Epidermal Barrier in Patients with Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris

“…Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases with major social and psychological impacts, of which 80%–85% of cases were mild to moderate [18]. Owing to the drawbacks due to the topical use of antibiotics, BPO and isotretinoin, many dermatologists find non‐pharmacological treatments with infrequent adverse effects, such as different kinds of phototherapy, to alleviate inflammatory acne and its sequelae [19–21]. Among them, IPL devices use flashlamps and bandpass filters to emit polychromatic incoherent high‐intensity pulsed light of determined wavelength spectrum, fluence, and pulse duration [19].…”