Effects of a 1,450 nm diode laser on facial sebum excretion

Abstract

Background and Objective Laser therapy with a 1,450 nm diode laser is a clinically effective treatment for acne vulgaris, although the mechanism of action is unknown. To investigate this, we conducted a small, prospective, controlled clinical trial to assess this laser's effects on the facial sebum excretion rate (SER). Materials and Methods Fourteen healthy volunteers without active acne were enrolled in this study and received three laser treatments on test areas of the nose and forehead. Nine subjects completed the treatment regimen and were available for follow‐up. SER was measured with Sebumeter® prior to the first treatment, and at 1 week and 1 month after the third treatment. Photographs were taken and subjective assessment of skin oiliness and pore size determined by questionnaires at 1 month follow‐up. Results No significant reduction in SER was observed comparing treated with control on all treatment sites (P>0.05) on the nose. Reduction in the absolute SER was observed for both test and control sites on the forehead, reaching significance on the treatment site (P = 0.04) and marginal significance on the control site (P = 0.08). Conclusion While our study was designed to detect only large changes in SER, we conclude that three 1,450 nm laser treatment sessions did not cause marked changes in SER compared to the control (i.e., >44%). Thus, major destruction of sebaceous glands as a result of this treatment is unlikely. However, reduced sebum production was observed on both treatment and control sides at 1 month. Therefore alternative mechanisms should also be considered to explain the clinical efficacy of this treatment for acne vulgaris. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:110–115, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Liposome-Encapsulated 0.5% 5-Aminolevulinic Acid with Intense Pulsed Light for the Treatment of Inflammatory Facial Acne: A Pilot Study

“…An objective improvement was noted in sebum production, with a reduction of 20% to 27% on the forehead as measured using the Sebumeter as early as 3 weeks after the first treatment, although the positive effect on sebum reduction did not last for more than 1 month after treatment. No reduction in sebum production was observed on the nasolabial fold, which might be because of the difficulty in applying the IPL handpiece around the nasolabial fold and in performing Sebumeter measurement around the nose 20 …”

“…No reduction in sebum production was observed on the nasolabial fold, which might be because of the difficulty in applying the IPL handpiece around the nasolabial fold and in performing Sebumeter measurement around the nose. 20 Santo used a 3-hour incubation period in a comparative split-face study of topical ALA plus IPL versus IPL alone performed twice, 2 weeks apart, for the treatment of acne. 21 Thirteen of 15 patients completed the study, and all showed apparent improvement on both sides of the face.…”

Combination of Q-switched and quasi long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser, non-ablative 1450-nm diode laser, and ablative 10 600-nm carbon dioxide fractional laser for enlarged pores

“…First, we performed two sessions of a nonablative 1450-nm diode laser to decrease sebum output, in order to eliminate a variable which has proven to be associated with enlarged pores. Although Laubach et al (6) recently reported that three 1450-nm laser treatment sessions did not cause marked changes in the sebum excretion rate compared to that of the control, non-ablative infrared lasers, such as 1450-nm diode lasers, have been suggested to cause thermal damage to sebaceous glands and reduce sebum production (7,8).…”

Xanthelasma Palpebrarum Treatment with a 1,450-nm-Diode Laser

“…Recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a commercially available laser with this wavelength (Smoothbeam, Candela, Wayland, MA) for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne by significantly reducing lesion counts; the device received FDA approval for this use in 2003 14 …”