Emerging lasers and light-based therapies in the management of acne: a review

Acne vulgaris, commonly known as acne, is the most prevalent skin disorder affecting mainly adolescents and young adults, though it can affect people of all ages, making it the most common complaint by patients presenting to a dermatologist. The overactivity of sebaceous glands primarily drives this skin condition due to androgen influence and the presence of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria. Although typically not directly harmful to patient health, acne can be a highly debilitating disease for patients, affecting their self-image and psychosocial well-being. Standard treatments include topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics, and, for more severe cases, systemic antibiotics or isotretinoin, which require prolonged periods of compliance. All these pharmacologic treatments have a risk of side effects ranging from mild ones, like skin irritation and dryness, to severe ones, like depression. Thus, there is a demand for exploring other treatment modalities in treating acne, and laser and light-based therapies have garnered significant interest. This review article will comprehensively assess emerging laser and other light-based therapies that have shown efficacy in treating acne, including the recently FDA-approved 1,726 nm laser.