308-nm Excimer Light for Inflammatory Acne in Pregnancy: A Prospective Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Phototherapy
• Pregnancy-related conditions

Background:

• Acne treatments during pregnancy are limited by fetal safety concerns.
• 308-nm excimer light provides targeted UVB, minimizing impact on surrounding skin compared to broad-band UVB.
• Novel therapeutic options are needed for inflammatory acne in pregnant individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of lesion-directed 308-nm excimer light for inflammatory acne in pregnant women.
• To evaluate the safety profile, including serum folate levels and obstetric outcomes.
• To determine if excimer light is a viable pregnancy-compatible acne treatment.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving 13 pregnant women in their second trimester with inflammatory acne.
• Treatment consisted of lesion-directed 308-nm excimer light twice weekly for 8 weeks.
• Efficacy assessed by Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI); safety monitored via serum folate and obstetric outcomes.

Main Results:

• Significant mean reduction of 48.3% in inflammatory acne lesions by Week 8.
• 5 out of 13 participants achieved a ≥2-grade improvement in IGA.
• Mean DLQI score improved by 5.9 points, indicating enhanced quality of life. Serum folate remained within normal ranges, and obstetric outcomes were favorable.

Conclusions:

• Lesion-directed 308-nm excimer light demonstrated clinical efficacy in reducing inflammatory acne during pregnancy.
• The treatment showed a reassuring safety profile, with normal folate levels and positive obstetric outcomes.
• Excimer light therapy presents a promising, pregnancy-compatible option for managing acne when other treatments are restricted.