A Pilot Study of Intense Pulsed Light Treatment for Keratosis Pilaris

Abstract

Background & Objective: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common benign skin disorder characterized by small folliculocentric keratotic papules. Patients with KP are generally asymptomatic but often seek treatment for cosmetic purposes. Current treatments for KP have failed to achieve consistently successful results. The use of intense pulsed light therapy(IPL), a non-ablative laser treatment, has proven effective for diminishing erythema and inflammation in chronic conditions such as rosacea but has not been studied for the treatment of KP. We hypothesized that consistent treatment over several months with the Cutera Xeo IPL intense pulsed light treatment (560-1200 nm) would result in significant clinical improvement of KP.
Materials and methods: Twelve subjects with moderate to severe KP of the bilateral arms were enrolled in a single group experimental research study. Three sessions of IPL therapy over a 12-week period were used to treat an upper arm of each patient. The patient’s contra lateral arm served as a control and was treated with a bland emollient only. The time course included 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks to assess treatment efficacy. The Keratosis Pilaris Severity Index (KPSI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were tabulated at each visit, and photographs were taken before and after each treatment. A linear mixed model was used to estimate the time course of response.
Results: A significant reduction in KPSI from baseline was observed.
Limitations: This single group experimental research pilot study had a small sample size, no concurrent untreated control group, several patients lost to follow-up, and power that did not allow for secondary data analysis.
Conclusion: IPL can be used as a safe, effective treatment option for KP that has failed more conventional therapeutic options.