Possibilities of intense pulsed light therapy in correcting the post-acne symptom complex (review)

The article addresses the important issue of effective treatment for the post-acne symptom complex, which is relevant in dermatology. It is noted that although post-acne is not a life-threatening condition, its manifestations significantly impact the social and psychological well-being of patients, leading to self-esteem issues, as well as depressive and anxiety disorders. Research shows that even minor skin defects can lead to serious mental health problems and suicidal thoughts. The main factors contributing to the development of the post-acne symptom complex include inadequate or ineffective treatment, as well as persistent and prolonged acne. Key manifestations of post-acne include post-inflammatory pigmentation, scars, and changes in skin texture. The pathogenic mechanisms of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are explained by the action of inflammatory mediators that affect the activity of melanocytes and immune cells. IPL therapy (intense pulsed light) is one of the most modern and effective methods for treating post-acne, especially in correcting hyperpigmentation and spots. The authors present an analysis of the current literature on the application of IPL therapy for the correction of post-acne symptoms. Available treatment strategies based on clinical research and the practice of using intense pulsed light are reviewed. It is shown that IPL effectively acts on pigmentation and skin texture, significantly reducing the severity of post-inflammatory spots. Further research in this area is needed to optimize approaches to post-acne therapy, with the primary goal of achieving more sustainable results, shortening recovery times, and improving patients' quality of life.