A split-face clinical trial to compare efficacy of topical tretinoin 0.025% with and without intense pulsed light 530 nm filter in young adult patients of grades 2 and 3 facial acne vulgaris with Fitzpatrick phototype IV-VI

Objectives: To compare percentage difference in global acne grading scale and absolute lesion count of inflammatory papules and pustules after treatment with topical Tretinoin 0.025% on whole face and one side receiving additional IPL 530 nm once a month for three sessions. Material and Methods: A split-face controlled clinical trial was conducted on young adults over 18 years old with grade 2 or 3 acne vulgaris. The study involved treating the entire face with Tretinoin 0.025% cream while administering IPL therapy on one side of the face. The trial spanned 18 months, with three IPL sessions conducted at four-week intervals. A total of 32 patients were selected through convenience sampling. The primary outcome measures were changes in the Global Acne Grading Scale (GAGS) and absolute lesion count (ALC) for inflammatory papules and pustules. Statistical analysis involved paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Fisher’s exact tests to evaluate the treatment outcomes. Results: The study population had a mean age of 22.66 years, with a female predominance (71.88%). Significant reductions in GAGS and ALC were observed in both treatment groups over the three-month period, with the combination therapy group showing more substantial improvement. The Tretinoin plus IPL group exhibited a higher percentage reduction in both GAGS scores and lesion counts compared to the Tretinoin monotherapy group. Conclusion: The combination of Tretinoin 0.025% cream and IPL therapy is more effective in reducing acne lesions than Tretinoin alone. This combination therapy could serve as a viable alternative to more aggressive systemic treatments, offering a safer and more tolerable option for managing acne vulgaris.