Intense pulsed light may improve inflammatory acne through TNF-α down-regulation.

Background: Despite many studies on the action of yellow light in acne, its efficacy and mechanisms of action are still unclear.

Objectives: To determine if IPL can cause a clinical improvement in acne and whether it modifies TLR2 and TNFα expression.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with mild to moderate acne involving their backs received 530 nm IPL treatments once every 2 weeks.

Pathways to inflammation: acne pathophysiology.

Acne vulgaris affects as much as 80% of the adolescent population and persists in approximately 3% of middle-aged adults. Only a percentage of these persons seek medical help, however, acne can cause levels of anxiety and depression akin to a chronic illness. A recurring question from patients who seek help from various healthcare professionals - their pharmacist, family doctor or dermatologist, is "why?" They also ask questions about a possible familial link, the impact of their diet and the association with their hormones.

Hyperandrogenism does not predispose patients to photoepilatory treatment failure: a single-center review.

Studies have suggested that patients with PCOS tend to be more treatment resistant to light-mediated depilation compared with their non-PCOS counterparts. We conducted a retrospective assessment of 29 hirsute patients treated between January 2006 and February 2007 to assess whether those with unsatisfactory hair clearance after treatment with intense pulsed light (IPL) were predominantly hyperandrogenic. The number of IPL sessions was also recorded for those patients failing to improve on treatment.