Acne and PDT: new techniques with lasers and light sources

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatologic disorders encountered in everyday practice. Treatment options for this often psychologically scarring disease are numerous and, for many individuals, provide relief from the disorder. However, factors such as antibiotic resistance and slow onset of action from many topical therapies have led researchers to seek out alternative therapies, especially for those suffering from moderate to severe inflammatory acne vulgaris. Lasers and light sources are finding increased usage in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Light sources including blue lights and intense pulsed lights are becoming regular additions to routine medical management to enhance the therapeutic response. Finally, photodynamic therapy may change many of the acne vulgaris paradigms, as its place is being defined in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne vulgaris. More and more clinical trials are showing the effectiveness of 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne vulgaris.