Acne Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acne, including details on skin problems, diet, treatments, puberty.

Comparison of stacked pulses versus double-pass treatments of facial acne with a 1,450-nm laser.

Uebelhoer NS, Bogle MA, Dover JS, Arndt KA, Rohrer TE

SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA. nsuebelhoer@nmcsd.med.navy.mil

BACKGROUND: Although effective as a monotherapy for the treatment of inflammatory acne, the 1,450-nm diode laser is associated with considerable pain at higher fluences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven subjects were treated with a 1,450-nm diode laser in a split-face bilateral paired acne study. One-half of the face received a single-pass consisting of stacked double pulses. The other side received a double-pass treatment of single pulses. Settings were 11 J/cm(2) or lower as tolerated with appropriate dynamic cooling device (range 25-35). RESULTS: The mean pain rating was 5.33 on a 0 to 10 scale on the stacked-pulse treatment side and 5.12 on the double-pass side. Blinded reduction in mean acne lesion counts were 57.6% and 49.8% reduction, respectively. An overall acne scar improvement was seen in 83% of subjects with acne scarring. Transient hyperpigmentation occurred in two patients on the stacked pulse side and completely resolved without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: The pulsed 1,450-nm diode laser can be used at lower fluences that elicit less discomfort yet effectively improve inflammatory acne. Stacking pulses appears to render a slightly higher efficacy than the multipass technique. Single-pulse, multiple-pass treatments may have a lower risk of cryogen-induced transient hyperpigmentation compared to standard high fluence techniques.

Published 24 April 2007 in Dermatol Surg, 33(5): 552-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Acne Research Today. All Rights Reserved.