A new study published in Dermatologic Therapy aimed to confirm the effect of gold photothermal therapy for acne.

This study enrolled 12 Asian patients who presented with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris – regardless of their age or sex. All patients received three successive treatments at 1 to 2-week intervals with a photo-pneumatic device after applying the contents of a gold nanoparticle sample to the skin. Changes in the number of papules, pustules and come dones before and after treatment, and the overall improvement were assessed. In four patients, a biopsy was taken before and one month after the last treatment.

The findings revealed significant reductions in acne lesions after the use of gold photothermal therapy. Patients exhibited an average improvement of more than 50% in their condition, according to the Physician Global Assessment. Histopathologically, a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrotic changes of the dermis were noted after gold photothermal therapy.

Thus, gold photothermal therapy showed significant clinical and histological improvements in acne vulgaris in Asians without serious adverse effects. 

Source: Dermatologic Therapy. 2021Feb 25;e14918. doi: 10.1111/dth.14918.