Laser and Light-Based Treatment for Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is the most common disease of the skin. Numerous medical therapies exist but have limitations. Laser and light-based procedures provide physicians and patients with options for treating active acne lesions as well as cosmetic improvement of hyperpigmentation and scarring. Various light-based therapies exist and target various factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. In general, light-based treatments target Propionibacterium acnes or the pilosebaceous unit. Treatment options that are currently available include blue light and red light therapies, pulsed dye lasers (PDLs), intense pulsed light (IPL), photodynamic therapy (PDT), photopneumatic therapy (PPX), and fractional photothermolysis (FP). These light-based treatment options can be effective as monotherapy or in combination with traditional medical therapies for the treatment of most patients with acne vulgaris.