Efficacy and Safety of a Dual-Wavelength 589/1319 nm Laser for the Treatment of Acne Erythema: A Split-Face Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: The 589/1319 nm solid-state dual-wavelength (SSDW) laser, which targets cutaneous vasculature, may be an effective treatment for acne erythema (AE). Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of the 589/1319 nm SSDW laser with topical soothing Aloe vera (AV) gel for the treatment of AE. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with bilateral AE were enrolled. One facial side received 6 sessions of 589/1319 nm SSDW laser treatment, while the contralateral side was treated with twice-daily AV gel for 18 weeks. Patients were followed for 8 weeks after the final laser session. AE severity, acne severity, and adverse events were assessed. Results: Twenty-nine patients completed the study. Both treatment modalities significantly reduced AE. The laser-treated side demonstrated a faster clinical response, with a significant reduction compared to baseline at 2 weeks, whereas AV gel required 4 weeks to achieve a comparable effect (within-group p < 0.05; no between-group difference). At the 8-week follow-up, the response rate was 72% for the laser-treated sides and 69% for the AV-treated sides. AE improvement correlated with reductions in acne severity in the laser-treated sides (r<inf>s</inf> = 0.47, p = 0.03). Patients reported higher satisfaction with laser treatment up to 4 weeks after the final laser session. Average pain score for the laser treatment was 1.52 out of 10. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The 589/1319 nm SSDW laser may be an effective early adjunctive treatment for acne erythema, offering minimal discomfort with no downtime and may additionally improve acne severity.