Clinical comparison of salicylic acid peel and LED-Laser phototherapy for the treatment of Acne vulgaris in teenagers

J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2017 Feb;19(1):49-53. doi: 10.1080/14764172.2016.1247961. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Abstract

Acne vulgaris treatments usually cause sensitivity, teratogenicity and bacterial resistance. Investigations of other therapeutic techniques, such as phototherapy, are highly relevant. Thus, we compared the effectiveness of two Acne vulgaris treatments in adolescents: peeling with salicylic acid (SA) and phototherapy. Teens were randomly divided into: group I, treatment with SA peels (10%) and group II, treatment with phototherapy (blue LED and red laser lights). Photographs were taken before and after ten sessions of each treatment, carried out weekly, and compared. To compare the differences between the treatments, the Student t-test was used. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Both techniques are effective therapies for the treatment of acne in teenagers since the number of comedones, papules and pustules decreased significantly at the end of the session. However, when the two treatments were compared, phototherapy showed a significant difference in reducing the number of pustules. The combined use of red and blue lights due to their anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties is a more efficient alternative for treating Acne vulgaris in relation to SA and proves more reliable and without side effects, improving the adolescents' skin health.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; phototherapy; salicylic acid; teenagers.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris / therapy*
  • Adolescent
  • Chemexfoliation* / adverse effects
  • Color
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratolytic Agents / adverse effects
  • Keratolytic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Lasers, Semiconductor / adverse effects
  • Lasers, Semiconductor / therapeutic use*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Low-Level Light Therapy* / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Salicylic Acid / adverse effects
  • Salicylic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Keratolytic Agents
  • Salicylic Acid