Serum level changes of inflammatory cytokines in patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris treated with dual-wavelength laser

Background

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common inflammatory skin disease. Although various mechanisms have been indicated in the etiopathogenesis of AV, the exact pathophysiology remains unknown. Various lasers have been used to treat AV; however, the serum level changes of inflammatory cytokines after laser therapy have not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate the relationship between inflammatory changes and remission on the opposite side in patients with moderate to severe AV after treating half of the face with 595- and 1 064-nm dual-wavelength laser.

Methods

In total, 18 patients (9 male and 9 female) between 16 and 35 years of age with moderate to severe AV were evaluated in the study. Disease severity was classified according to the Pillsbury grading system of acne. Patients were randomized to receive a series of two treatment sessions at intervals of 2 weeks and followed up at 2 weeks after the final treatment. A 3 ​mL blood sample was drawn from every subject each time, and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-22 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and 2 weeks after each treatment. Improvement was determined by a blinded assessment of photographs taken before and after the final evaluation.

Results

Inflammation was significantly reduced on both the treated and untreated sides, and symptoms of AV lesions were alleviated. All patients showed a significant increase in serum IL-22 levels after the first laser therapy, with no significant difference in serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels. After the second laser therapy, serum IL-6, IL-8, and IL-22 levels were significantly decreased. No significant side effects such as bruising, edema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or scarring were reported.

Conclusion

Half-face treatment with 595- and 1 064-nm dual-wavelength laser for moderate and severe AV showed a significant effect of full-face remission, which was associated with a gradual decrease in IL-6, IL-8, and IL-22 levels after half-face topical treatment. This suggests that reducing inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum can relieve inflammation in non-therapeutic sites. This laser treatment is effective, economical, and painless.