ATLANTA A new device that combines pulsed light and radiofrequency energy is proving highly effective for the treatment of acne vulgaris, Dr. Neil Sadick reported at the joint annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology.
In 32 patients with moderate acne who were treated twice a week for 4 weeks, the combined use of optical and conducted bipolar radiofrequency energy reduced the average lesion count by 47%. Of patients surveyed, 59% rated overall improvement as good, 32% rated it as very good, and 4.5% rated it as excellent. Another 4.5% had mild or no improvement, said Dr. Sadick, clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell University, New York.
Biopsies were performed on four of the patients prior to treatment, 1 week after the initial treatment, and 1 month after the initial treatment. Compared with the baseline biopsy, the last biopsy showed a lower percentage of follicles with perifolliculitis (58% vs. 33%, respectively) and a reduction in the size of sebaceous glands (0.092 mm
The patients were treated using the Aurora AC device (Syneron Inc., Richmond Hill, Ont.). Those with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV were treated with pulsed light of 810 J/cm
The combined use of optical energy and conducted bipolar radiofrequency current affects Propionibacterium acnes directly by photochemical activation of porphyrins, and by selective hyperthemia of the sebaceous glands. The radiofrequency energy supplements the optical energy and raises the temperature of the sebaceous glands, severely damaging the bacteria, Dr. Sadick explained.
Dr. Sadick is a research consultant for Syneron Inc.
Patient is shown at baseline and after 1 month of twice weekly treatments. Photos courtesy Dr. Neil Sadick
