Adults with persistent acne should not choose a winning laser from the 36-patient pilot. All three light and laser groups improved over time, but none beat the others. A pilot is a small early trial meant to test methods, not to crown a best treatment.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine PubMed record, the July 10, 2026 trial enrolled 36 patients with moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne PubMed record. It compared intense pulsed light, pulsed dye laser, and Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What the pilot tested
- Why no device won
- Did daily life with acne improve?
- How to discuss lasers with your dermatologist
What the pilot tested
The trial assigned adults with active, inflamed breakouts to three treatment arms. Each arm used a different light or laser device. Lesion counts mean the number of tender red bumps and pus-filled spots.
Severity scores grade how widespread and inflamed those breakouts are. The researchers tracked both measures at each treatment session. That design can show change over time within each group.
Why no device won
According to the same PubMed record, lesion counts and severity scores showed no significant differences between groups at any session. P-values ranged from 0.06 to 0.92, while counts fell significantly within each group over time. In plain terms, everyone tended to improve, but the devices looked similar.
With about 12 patients per arm, the study was too small to prove superiority. Small pilots also cannot detect modest differences or rule out uncommon harms. A "best laser" headline overreads that design.
Did daily life with acne improve?
Disability scores measured by the Cardiff Acne Disability Index fell from baseline to two weeks after treatment. That index asks how acne affects daily activities, feelings, and social life. Short follow-up and no untreated control limit claims about lasting benefit.
Persistent adult acne is common, affecting up to 50% of acne patients into adulthood and about one-third of women in their 30s, according to an MDedge Dermatology review from the American Acne and Rosacea Society society status report. Adults should maintain proven topical, systemic, or hormonal care. Stopping that care to chase a device result risks a flare.
How to discuss lasers with your dermatologist
The American Academy of Dermatology's 2024 acne guideline found evidence insufficient to recommend light and laser devices for routine care guideline summary. It did not endorse them as replacements for proven therapy.
FDA clearance of two 1726-nm sebum-targeting lasers, AviClear and Accure, involves different devices than this comparison, according to Medscape dermatology reporting dermatology report. Bring your prescriptions, treatment history, photos of flares, and budget limits to that visit.
- List current topicals, antibiotics, retinoids, hormonal treatments, and past side effects
- Ask about total cost, number of sessions, pain, downtime, and recurrence risk
- Ask how a device would fit with continued guideline-supported care
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