Cryomodulation was associated with significant inflammation reduction in patients with acne vulgaris, based on data from a new pilot study presented at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery 43^rd Annual Conference on Energy-based Medicine and Science in Baltimore.

Previous research has shown the role of inflammation at all stages of acne lesion development. Cryomodulation has been associated with reduced skin inflammation, but its effect on acne vulgaris has not been well studied. To this end, Bruce E. Katz, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and colleagues, conducted a study to assess the efficacy of the technique in patients with acne vulgaris.  in an abstract presented at the annual conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. The researchers conducted a pilot study of 14 adults with acne vulgaris. The participants ranged in age from range 19 to 62 years, and included Fitzpatrick skin types I to V. 

All participants underwent five treatment sessions at 2-week intervals; each session consisted of 20 minutes of controlled cooling for facial acne, the researchers wrote. Efficacy was assessed using standardized grading scales; digital photography and acne lesion counts were performed at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months after the final session.

Based on physician ratings, 91.7%, 90.9%, and 100% of patients had a reduction in acne severity at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively, after their final treatment. Acne lesion counts decreased in 100%, 91.7%, and 90.9% of the patients at 1-, 2-, and 3-months’ follow-up, respectively.

“Subjective feedback collected from study patients included reports of reduced redness, reduced papules and pustules, and less frequent acne break outs,” the researchers wrote.

The study team also assess patient pain, adverse events, and treatment satisfaction. None of the participants reported any treatment-related adverse events or side effects at follow-up, and patients rated their pain with scores of 0 on a scale of 0 to 10. Most (91%) said they would undergo the procedure again and would recommend it to others.

"These findings support the use of cryomodulation for the reduction of inflammation in patients with acne vulgaris," the authors wrote. "Cosmetic benefits and reductions in acne severity were achieved in a simple, comfortable procedure with no treatment side effects. Further clinical research is necessary to clarify optimal patient selection and treatment parameters, and to establish treatment durability."

Katz BE et al., PILOT CLINICAL EVALUATION OF THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF CRYOMODULATION FOR TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ACNE. Presented at: American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery 43^rd Annual Conference on Energy-based Medicine and Science. April 11-14, 2024; Baltimore.