MONDAY, March 3 (HealthDay News) -- A novel device using a vacuum and a broadband light source can safely and effectively treat mild to severe acne vulgaris, according to a report published in the February issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
Ava T. Shamban, M.D., of the Laser Institute for Dermatology and European Skin Care in Santa Monica, Calif., and colleagues conducted a study of 56 patients with mild to severe acne, who were treated between two and four times with 400 to 1,200 nm of broadband light delivered using a portable photopneumatic device, the Aesthera PPx, manufactured by Aesthera Corporation of Pleasanton, Calif.
Physicians rated the clearance from 50 percent after the first treatment to 90 percent after the fourth treatment, while patients themselves rated clearance at 50 percent after the first treatment to 78 percent after the fourth. Photographs taken before and after treatment in 11 patients were evaluated by three independent physicians who noted median papule and pustule lesion counts before treatment of eight and three, respectively, reduced to two and zero, respectively, after treatment.
"Satisfaction levels of both physicians and patients were high and increased with additional treatment sessions. Anesthesia was not required because the treatment was painless, a major advantage over conventional devices," the authors conclude.
Three of the co-authors declare financial interests in Aesthera or receipt of discounted equipment from the company.
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