Photopneumatic Technology for the Treatment of Mild-to-moderate Acne Vulgaris-A Review

Acne vulgaris, despite being one of the most common dermatological diseases, remains challenging to treat. Acne lesion location and type, skin tone, genetics, and environmental factors influence mono- or multimodal therapeutic decisions. Combination topical and oral treatments may successfully reduce lesion count; however, these agents take time to work, and side effects are not uncommon. The long-term therapeutic engagement required to treat acne may be too costly or burdensome for many patients, which may impact treatment adherence, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. There is increased interest in noninvasive acne treatments to reduce side effects, provide rapid results, and foster treatment adherence. TheraClearX® X Acne System combines broadband pulsed light and vacuum suction technology. The combination of these two treatment modalities mechanically clears congested follicles and targets endogenous porphyrins produced by Cutibacterium acnes and other acnegenic bacteria. This article describes the proposed mechanism of action, treatment advantages, examples of treatment protocols, and anecdotal results using this combination device in the treatment of acne.