TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF MILD TO MODERATE ACNE VULGARIS USING TOPICAL AGENTS COMBINED WITH BLUE LIGHT THERAPY AND FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER IN CAN THO, VIETNAM (2024–2025)
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Abstract
Background: Early, appropriate, and adequate treatment of acne vulgaris helps reduce disease severity, prevent progression, and minimize acne scarring. Topical and systemic therapies, however, are often limited by skin irritation, antibiotic resistance, and various adverse effects. As a result, several physical modalities - such as light-based therapy, laser treatment, chemical peeling, and photocoagulation - have emerged as valuable adjunctive options. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of mild to moderate acne vulgaris treated with a combination regimen including topical agents, blue light therapy, and fractional CO2 laser at Can Tho during 2024-2025. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with analytical components was conducted on 92 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. All participants were treated with topical medications in combination with blue light therapy and fractional CO2 laser from May 2024 to October 2025. Disease severity was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Results: Females accounted for 67.4% of the cohort, and the age group 20-24 years represented the highest proportion (43.5%). At baseline, most patients had mild acne according to GAGS (65.2%). After 8 weeks of combined therapy, the proportion of patients with good clinical response increased markedly from 27.2% to 81.5%, while moderate and poor responses declined substantially. Post-treatment, the percentage of patients classified as having mild acne rose to 89.1%. Mean GAGS score significantly decreased from 14.45 to 7.39 (p < 0.001). Adverse effects were mainly mild to moderate pain and erythema, both of which diminished over subsequent laser sessions, and no severe complications were reported. Conclusion: The therapeutic protocol combining topical agents (PHA, nicotinamide, aloe vera, zinc oxide), blue light therapy, and fractional CO2 laser demonstrated significant efficacy in improving mild to moderate acne vulgaris, with good tolerability and minimal adverse effects.
Keywords
Acne vulgaris, Topical therapy, Blue light therapy, Fractional CO2 laser
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References
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