Isotretinoin plus 420 nm intense pulsed light versus isotretinoin alone for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled study of efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction in Chinese subjects

Either isotretinoin or intense pulsed light (IPL) proved to be effective to alleviate acne lesions, but the combined treatment has rarely been reported. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of isotretinoin and 420 nm IPL combined treatment. Forty-seven patients with facial acne with Global Evaluation Acne (GEA) graded 2–4 were randomized into study group and control group. The patients in the control group received oral isotretinoin for 8 weeks. The patients in the study group were treated with oral isotretinoin for 8 weeks, together with a biweekly 420 nm IPL treatment for 4 weeks. Topical agents included adapalene and fusidic acid. Efficacy was evaluated using digital photographies taken at baseline and week 12 by an independent dermatologist, including GEA grade, lesion count, lesion reduction percentage, and effective rate. All patients completed a questionnaire about dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and satisfaction visual analog scale (VAS) on week 12, and were followed up for another 2 months. Adverse events were recorded. The patients in the study group experienced significant reduction in GEA grade, total lesions, and inflammatory lesions on week 12, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The patients in the study group reported lower DLQI and higher VAS satisfaction (p < 0.05) and experienced lower incidence of relapse (p < 0.05). No severe adverse event was identified in both groups. Compared with isotretinoin alone, isotretinoin and 420 nm IPL combined treatment proved to be more effective within limited treatment duration. It was well-tolerated and the patients’ satisfaction was high.