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Fotona Laser for Acne Vulgaris
Updated: Apr 13, 2022
Introduction
Acne is the most common skin disease worldwide and the most common dermatological reason for medical consultation. Around 70 to 95% of all adolescents have acne lesions. The majority of patients have a spontaneous regression after puberty, and 2 to 7% have significant scarring.
What is Acne Vulgaris?
Acne vulgaris is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units. There are classical key factors of acne lesions development:
An increased activity of the sebaceous glands leading to seborrhea, abnormal follicular differentiation and increased cornification
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) colonization with inflammatory reaction and the subsequent immunological processes.
Causes of Acne Vulgaris
Genetic predisposition. In addition, other aggravating factors are recognized.
Cosmetic agents and hair pomades may worsen acne.
Medications that can promote acne development include steroids, lithium, some antiepileptics, and iodides.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other endocrine disorders associated with excess androgens may trigger the development of acne vulgaris. Even pregnancy may cause a flare-up.
Mechanical occlusion with headbands, shoulder pads, back packs, or under-wire bras can be aggravating factors.
Excessive sunlight may either improve or flare acne. In any case, the ultraviolet exposure ages the skin.
Treatment for Acne Vulgaris
Conventional treatments with combined topical/oral medications can be prolonged and are often associated with poor compliance, lack of durable remission, and potential side effects.
Fotona Acne Laser therapy may offer an alternative to conventional acne treatments, in particular for non-responders or non-compliant patients or in patients with antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
Fotona Acne Laser indirectly target the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, through photo-excitation of porphyrins, inducing a bactericidal effect on P. acnes by release of reactive free radicals, or cause phototoxic and/or photothermal damage to the sebaceous gland, resulting in reduced gland size and sebum production
