Randomized Split Face Controlled Study to Evaluate Low Level Laser Therapy for Treatment of Acne Vulgaris in Adolescents

Background: Acne vulgaris as a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaeous unit, and is the most common skin disorder regardless of gender, skin colour or ethinity. No mortality but significant physical and psychological morbidity. Acne therapies, associated with acne,topical or systemic, targeting one of its pathogenic factors, have many drawbacks and poor compliance. Laser and light therapy greatly enhance acne management. Promising results with infrared laser had been reported. Also, photobiostimulation of acne vulgaris was more effective than many pharmacological products. Objective: : To evaluate the effectiveness of low level laser therapy for treatment of acne vulgaris in adolescents . Methods: Half-face of twenty cases, four males and sixteen females between eleven and eighteen years treated with 905- nm Giotto diode laser for thirty minutes. The other half is control. Two sessions per week for eight weeks and three month follow up after treatment was done. Results: Reduction in acne lesion count 32.78% after two weeks of treatment,46.4% after four weeks. Significant reduction (63.35%) at the end of eight weeks treatment(p=0.002) and 59.87% (p=0.002) after three months follow up as regards the control side. Scoring of relation to the control side acne lesion severity using GAGS showed significant decrease inafter four weeks of treatment(p=0.002),high significance after eight weeks (p-value<0.001) and persistent high significance after three months follow up (p-value<0.001).No detectable side effects and high significant patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Treatment of acne vulgaris in adolescents with low level diode laser is safe and effective.