In about 25% of acne products, the therapeutic action involves destroying the so-called ?acne causing? bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). For years, phototherapy for acne was considered effective because it apparently targeted and diminished p. acnes colonies. However, new research quashes that phototherapy theory.
Even so, laser treatments can remedy acneic skin. For example, in the June 2006 issue of the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy presented by David Goldberg and Bruce Russell alternated each acne phototherapy session between 20 minute sessions with 415 nm blue light and 633 nm red light therapy.
Patients received a pre-microdermabrasion treatment and a blue or red laser treatment twice per week, every three days, for up to twelve weeks. At week four, the 22 patients saw a mean reduction in acne lesion counts of 46%. At week 12, acne lesion count dropped by 86%.
But, as many dermatologists and acne patients realize, the blue light laser did not impact comedones. Why?
Edward Seaton, MD, of the Hammersmith Hospital in London produced an answer. He contends that nonablative laser acne treatments do not kill Propionibacterium acnes or decrease sebum production.
Instead, according to Seaton, the lasers cause a rapid and dramatic increase in transforming growth factor beta.
Dr. Seaton explains that transforming growth factor beta, ?is very important anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in decreasing inflammation?? in an E Skin and Allergy News article.
To better understand the exact effect of nonablative lasers on acne, Dr. Seaton used nonablative laser therapy on the foreheads of 19 subjects with mild to moderate acne who had received no previous acne treatments.
He took before and after measurements of P. acnes colony count, sebum production, and several cytokines and receptors including transforming growth factor beta.
Each participant received one session of nonablative laser therapy. Dr. Seaton measured cytokine levels via punch biopsies from the buttocks before the laser treatments and at hour three and 24 hours after the treatment.
After 24 hours, Dr. Seaton noted no decrease in the number of P. acnes colonies on the treated area, moreover there was a non-statistically significant increase in the number of colonies. There was no significant decrease in the oil excretion rate at 2, 4, 8, or 24 weeks post treatment.
Yet, after 24 hours, there was a fivefold increase in transforming growth factor beta, but no significant changes in any other cytokine or receptor levels.
The transforming growth factor beta levels had increased slightly, but not significantly three hours after the nonablative acne treatment.
According to Dr. Seaton this, ?is the first time a biologic explanation of lasers? as an acne treatment has been clinically explained.
So far this Dr. Seaton?s theory works because comedones are not always inflamed. Comedones form as oils, proteins and dead skin cells compact together and block a pore beneath the surface of the skin.
Comedones can evolve into inflamed acne lesions if they get improperly squeezed or irritated. Such squeezing causes the damage to the skin?s tissue, thereby evoking an inflammation response to begin dermal repair.
Still, not everyone endorses acne phototherapy.
Jerome Garden, M.D., of the department of dermatology at Northwestern University in Chicago reported in E Skin and Allergy News that laser treatments, ?are highly expensive cash procedures requiring multiple visits to the office,?
Dr. Spencer explained that, ?light-based therapy for acne represents one more tool in the tool chest, but it's quite unreasonable for it to be the first thing that pops into your head.?
Dr. Seaton?s theory about the therapeutic actions of nonablative lasers on acne does demand more attention and further research.
But, if inflammation reduction does stands at the core of laser therapy for acne, you can take steps now to control inflamed acne lesions. Just eat more antioxidant-rich foods, drink more water, and relax to minimize your stress level to help alleviate inflamed acne lesions.
Naweko San-Joyz founded Noixia- a self-service image makeover company based in San Diego. Noixia creates custom acne scar removal products for the face and body. San-Joyz has authored several books and articles that focus on do-it-yourself beauty makeovers including ?Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne? and ?Skinny Fat Chicks: Why we?re still not getting this dieting thing?. San-Joyz lives and works in San Diego, California. | |
