Novel 1726 nm laser demonstrates durable therapeutic outcomes and tolerability for moderate-to-severe acne across skin types.

BACKGROUND: Traditional acne management with topical therapy, systemic antibiotics, hormonal agents, or oral isotretinoin requires compliance and may produce significant side effects. However, alternative treatments with lasers had failed to demonstrate durable clearance.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the tolerability and therapeutic outcomes of a novel 1726 nm laser treatment of moderate-to-severe acne across skin types.

METHODS: A prospective, open-label, single-arm, Investigational Device Exemption-approved, institutional review board-approved study of 104 subjects with moderate-to-severe facial acne and Fitzpatrick Skin Types ranging from II-to-VI was conducted. Subjects received 3 laser treatments at 3 (-1/+2)-week intervals.

RESULTS: Following final treatment, ≥50% reduction in active acne inflammatory lesions was 32.6% at 4-weeks follow-up, increasing further to 79.8% and 87.3% at 12 and 26-weeks, respectively. The percentage of subjects clear or almost clear increased from 0% at baseline to 9%, 36.0%, and 41.8% at 4-, 12-, and 26-weeks follow-up. No serious adverse events were observed related to device or protocol; treatments were well tolerated, requiring no anesthetic. Therapeutic outcomes and discomfort were similar across all skin types.

LIMITATIONS: Lack of control group.

CONCLUSIONS: The study findings demonstrate the novel 1726 nm laser is well tolerated with durable progressive posttreatment improvement to at least 26 weeks for moderate-to-severe acne across skin types.