TheraClearX improves mild to moderate acne in all skin types
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Key takeaways:
- The photopneumatic device improved acne in 66.7% of patients in this 7-week trial.
- Improvements were seen across Fitzpatrick skin types I to VI.
The TheraClearX Acne device was efficacious in reducing mild to moderate acne in all skin types, according to a study.
“There are over 50 million acne patients domestically. Clinical solutions for acne include topical and systemic medication, as well as treatment by energy-based devices,” Glynis Ablon, MD, associate clinical professor at University of California, Los Angeles, director of Ablon Skin Institute & Research Center and the study’s author, told Healio.
The TheraClearX (Strata Skin Sciences) is an FDA-cleared photopneumatic device that combines gentle vacuum with pulsed broadband light.
Ablon enrolled 30 subjects (age range, 12-40 years; mean age, 22.2 years; 63.3% female) with facial acne and a baseline IGA score of 2 (mild) or 3 (moderate), between 10 and 50 inflammatory lesions, between 10 and 100 noninflammatory lesions and no more than one facial nodule.
Fitzpatrick skin types I to VI were represented, with 86% having skin types II to IV.
Patients received weekly treatments with the TheraClearX system and were evaluated at each visit, as well as on day 49 for a full assessment. If IGA 0 was reached at day 7, there were no additional treatments.
At day 49, 20 (66.7%) patients achieved at least a one-grade improvement in IGA score (P < .001), with visible improvements seen in as early as three treatments.
Statistically significant lesion count improvement was recorded at each video, whereas baseline nodule counts did not change.
All skin types experienced reductions in lesion count.
“The results of this study confirm the efficacy of the TheraClearX photopneumatic therapy for mild to moderate therapy,” Ablon said. “The procedure offers a safe and effective alternative or complement to existing acne treatments.”
Patients were asked to complete the Acne Self-Assessment Questionnaire and the Acne Quality of Life Questionnaire on days 0 and 49.
Improvements in facial acne was reported by 31.3% of patients, whereas improvements in skin texture were reported in 34.7%, overall skin appearance in 31.4%, facial oiliness in 27.5%, pore size in 23.5% and facial redness in 22.6%.
Quality of life improvement ranged from 28.6% to 53.8%. Most patients said they were satisfied with the time reduction in cleaning and treating acne (53.8%) and the lessened concern for facial scarring (49.4%).
Investigator’s tolerability assessment found mild erythema and hyperpigmentation at similar levels from day 0 to 49, with slightly more dryness at day 49.
Patient-reported safety found one patient with mild itching at day 49 and one patient with mild stinging at day 7.
“The procedure is particularly relevant for patients seeking nonpharmacological treatment options. The study demonstrated significant reductions in acne lesions, with visible improvements as early as after three treatments,” Ablon said. “Moreover, the therapy was well tolerated, with no severe adverse events reported. And importantly we studied all skin types and it was safe, well tolerated and successful for skin types I through VI.”
Reference:
- Strata Skin Sciences’ TheraClearX acne therapy system found to be safe and effective for acne lesions across all Fitzpatrick skin types with favorable tolerability and patient satisfaction as published in peer reviewed journal. https://strataskinsciencesinc.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/strata-skin-sciences-theraclearrx-acne-therapy-system-found-be. Published June 7, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024.
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