Evaluation of efficacy and safety of intense pulse light (IPL) therapy in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a self-limiting, chronic inflammatory disorder of pilosebaceous follicle seen commonly among young adults with significant psychological and social impact. Multiple topical and systemic therapies targeting various pathogenic factors of acne are available, in spite of which patients are unable to achieve adequate and long term control of acne. Therefore, there is a need for newer therapeutic modalities that are more effective, convenient and safe. In this regard, one of the emerging treatment modalities is intense pulse light (IPL) therapy which meet the need for novel acne treatment. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intense pulse light (IPL) therapy in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients in age group of 18- 40 years with facial acne vulgaris meeting the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this study after taking an informed consent and approval of institutional ethical committee. All the patients with facial acne vulgaris grade 1-4 were subjected to monotherapy with IPL. Convention fluence of 10 J and 410 nm cut off filter was used at first sitting. IPL was administered weekly for 6 weeks, and the fluence was increased by 1 J every session. Acne severity assessment was done at initial visit (week 0) and at the end of last treatment session (week 6) based on Michaelssons acne severity index. Also at the initial visit, at each sitting and at the end of final treatment session (6 sessions), lesions count (counting the number of comedones, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules) were undertaken. Percentage reduction in the number of lesions were calculated at each visit and at end of final treatment session (6th session) and graded as mild (0–25%), moderate (26–50%), good (51–75%), and excellent (76–100%) improvement relative to baseline. Results: At the end of 6 treatment sessions (6 weeks), the mean percentage reduction of non-inflammatory, inflammatory and total lesion counts were 60.2%, 80.4%, 74.1% relative to baseline respectively. Mean Michaelssons acne severity index at baseline (0 week) was 50.83 and at the end of six treatment sessions was 10.20. The improvement in acne severity score was found to be statistically significant (p=.000). No significant adverse effects were noticed. Conclusion: The results of this study show that IPL is effective and safe for management of facial acne vulgaris grade 1 – 4 with minimal reversible side effects.