Abstract
Background: Despite advances in acne therapy, treatment failure is still common. Isotretinoin is the only drug that affects almost all factors in acne pathogenesis,
however side-effects are common at the doses reported in published studies in the literature. Sun exposure is known to be beneficial for acne. Lasers/light-based
devices may offer an alternative to conventional acne modalities in selected patients, such as non-responder or noncompliant patients or in antibiotic resistant patients.
The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of blue light and low dose isotretinoin in patients with mild to moderate acne.
Subjects and Methods: In this prospective comparative study, 60 consecutive patients with mild to moderate facial acne were recruited. They were randomized into 2
groups. The first group comprised 30 patients who were treated with blue light in two sessions weekly for 6 weeks. The second group comprised 30 patients who were
treated with isotretinoin 0.3 mg/kg/d for 6 months. No topical or other systemic therapy was allowed during the study period. Baseline grading of acne was done with
Investigator‘s Global Assessment scale. Severity was assessed in each visit. Clinical photographs were obtained for evaluation every 4 weeks. Patients were followed
up once every 2 weeks. However patients were asked to come earlier in case of any adverse events. Liver function tests (serum aspartate aminotransferaseAST, serum
alanine transaminase ALT, direct and total bilirubin), and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride) were
evaluated for all patients, before the initiation of treatment and after one month of treatment.
Results: Patients in both groups revealed a reduction in the number of lesions. The first group showed a reduction of approximately 32% at 2 weeks and 76% at 6
weeks after 12 sessions blue light twice weeks for 6 weeks. The second group showed a reduction of approximately 15.3% at 2 weeks and 50% at 6 weeks after receiving
0.3 mg/kg/d isotretinoin for 6 months.
Conclusion: Both blue light and low dose isotretinoin are effective in treating mild to moderate acne but blue light seems to be a more preferable choice being more
safe, less expensive and of short treatment duration.