A RECENT comparative study has highlighted the potential of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy as a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris (AV), outperforming topical nicotinamide 4% cream in both clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Acne vulgaris, a common dermatological condition, is typically managed with a variety of treatments, though some come with concerns over side effects or bacterial resistance. Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, offers anti-inflammatory benefits and is widely used for its favourable safety profile. IPL, meanwhile, is an FDA-approved non-invasive therapy already in use for several skin conditions, including acne.
In this study, 20 participants aged between 18 and 40 years, representing both sexes and a range of acne types, received two different treatments, one on each side of the face. The right side was treated with four sessions of IPL at two-week intervals, while the left side was treated with nicotinamide cream applied twice daily for two months. Acne severity was assessed before treatment began, and again at one and three months after the final IPL session.
Both treatments resulted in significant improvement in inflammatory acne lesions. However, IPL yielded better overall outcomes, showing a more marked reduction in lesion count and severity. Patients also reported higher levels of satisfaction with IPL treatment compared to the nicotinamide cream. Importantly, no major adverse effects were reported with either approach.
These findings suggest that IPL may offer a valuable alternative for patients with inflammatory acne, particularly those who cannot tolerate systemic treatments. While nicotinamide remains a viable and safe option, IPL appears to provide superior clinical results. Further studies with larger sample sizes would be useful to confirm these outcomes, but this study supports the use of IPL as an effective, non-systemic acne treatment option.
Reference
Al-Sharnoby HA et al. The efficacy of intense pulsed light versus topical nicotinamide 4% in treatment of acne vulgaris. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2025;41(4):e70025.
