Efficacy of phototherapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine on acne vulgaris.

Abstract

Objective To assess the efficacy of high intensive narrow band blue light and red light combined with Cuochuangling granule,a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),in acne vulgaris(AV).Methods Forty-two patients with mild to moderate AV were randomly divided into two groups.combination group(n=25)receiving photothempy with blue light and red light plus oral Cuochuangling granule,TCM group(n=17)treated with oral Cuochuangling granule alone.Cuochuangling granule was given thrice daily,and phototherapy was performed at a dose of 48 J/cm2 with a least interval of 48 hours.All patients were treated for 4 weeks.Before and after the treatment,sebum secretion level and water content in stratum corneum were measured by photometry and capacitance method,respectively,skin pH value was examined,and the number of lesions was counted.Results The total effective rate was 84%in the combination group,and 71%in TCM group.A significant increase was observed in the clearance rates of total lesions and inflammatory lesions in the combination group compared with the TCM group(both P＜0.01).The water content in stratum corneum increased from 210.47 to 294.70(P＜0.01)in the combination group,and the increase was greater than in the TCM group.No significant changes were noticed in the sebum secretion level or skin pH value alter the treatment in either group.Conclusions Phototherapy combined with Cuochuangling granule is highly effective in the treatment of mild to moderate acne,with an increase in the water content in stratum corneum after treatment. Key words: Ache vulgaris; Phototherapy; Drug Chinese herbel