Isotretinoin Combined Laser/Light-Based Treatments Versus Isotretinoin Alone for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of oral isotretinoin with and without laser/light-based treatments for acne.

Methods: This study was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines; this meta-analysis utilized data from PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrial.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until December 2023. We evaluated clinical improvement, lesion reduction, adverse events, as well as intraoperative and postoperative discomfort rates. Analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3.

Results: This review included six articles with a total of 285 patients. Isotretinoin combined with laser/light therapy outperformed in clinical improvement rates, significantly reducing acne vulgaris and acne scars lesions compared to isotretinoin alone. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups.

Conclusion: The study suggests that combining isotretinoin with laser/light-based therapy for acne yields superior efficacy and satisfaction without increased complications (e.g., dryness, hyperpigmentation, and scarring). However, patients experience notable treatment-related discomfort.