Efficacy of Excimer Light (308 nm) in the Treatment of Inflammatory Acne

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disorder that significantly affects quality of life, particularly among adolescents and young adults. While multiple treatment options exist, challenges remain, especially in achieving rapid clearance with minimal side effects. Excimer light (308 nm) has shown promise in treating inflammatory skin conditions, but its efficacy in acne remains underexplored. This study aimed evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of 308 nm excimer light in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Methods: A randomized clinical study was conducted on 42 patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris divided into three equal groups (n=14) based on acne severity (mild: Group A, moderate: Group B, and severe: Group C) and received excimer light therapy twice weekly for 8 weeks (16 sessions). Clinical response was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Patient satisfaction, pain score, and adverse effects were recorded. Results: Significant improvement in acne severity scores was observed across all groups (p=0.001), with the highest reduction in mild (78.7%) and moderate (65.4%) acne, and less response in severe cases (31.7%). Good clinical response was noted in 85.7% of mild, 78.6% of moderate, and 7.1% of severe acne patients (p<0.0001). Pain was minimal overall, and a strong positive correlation was found between satisfaction and clinical improvement (r = 0.893, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Excimer light (308 nm) is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris, providing significant lesion clearance, reduction in post-acne erythema, and high patient satisfaction with minimal pain.