Pulsed dye laser-mediated photodynamic therapy for acne inversa is not successful: a pilot study on four cases.

The relapses and the chronicity of acne inversa cause a significant impact on the quality of life of the affected patients and urge for a search of more effective treatments. We report the treatment of four consecutive acne inversa patients with pulse dye laser-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDL-PDT). Three months after the end of the treatment there was no improvement in comparison with opposite control sites. Intense pain during treatment was reported by all the patients. These cases do not support the use of PDL-PDT for treating acne inversa.