Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science - Department of Laser Applications in Medical and Biological

Background : Both pulsed dye laser (PDL) and combined 585/1,064- nm (sequential dual-wave-length PDL and Nd:YAG) laser improves inflammatory skin disorders including acne vulgaris. Objective: To compare the efficacy of 585 nm pulsed dye laser versus its sequential combination with pulsed Nd:YAG laser 1064 nm (sequential dual-wave-length PDL and Nd:YAG) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Patients and method: Thirty patients complaining of moderate or severe acne were treated with a single pass of PDL alone on half of the face and a single pass of combined 585/1064-nm laser on the other half for four treatment sessions at 2 weeks interval. Patients were followed up monthly for 3 months after the final treatment. They were assessed by the count and severity of the acne lesions & digital camera photographs. Results: The study showed that inflammatory acne lesions count was significantly reduced by 82.5% (p0.0001) on PDL-treated sides and by 83.5% (p0.00001) on combined 585/1,064-nm side 8 weeks after treatment start & 88.6% and 88.4%, respectively 12 weeks after treatment start, while reduction of non-inflammatory acne lesions was observed at 8 weeks by 58.4%, 71.5% respectively & after 12 weeks by 65.2%, 77.4% respectively. Although a difference was observed between the two treatment modalities on reduction of acne lesions, but it was not statistically significant. Grade of acne severity also showed significant reduction by both modalities

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