Efficacy of a New Non-drug Acne Therapy: Aloe Vera Gel Combined With Ultrasound and Soft Mask for the Treatment of Mild to Severe Facial Acne

Abstract

Background: Acne is a chronic disorder that affects almost 80% of adolescents and young adults, causing psychological and emotional distress. However, the current treatments for acne are either ineffective or have many side effects. This study was designed to confirm and objectively quantify the effect of a new non-drug combined therapy on acne. Methods: This study innovatively utilized ultrasound, which enhanced the absorption of aloe vera gel, and soft mask to make a purely physical method without any drugs. In both the treatment group and control group, the number of papules/pustules and the area of hyperpigmented lesions were counted, and a smart mirror intelligent face system was used before and after the combined therapy. Alterations in the skin functional index were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results: In the treatment group, the combined therapy significantly reduced the number of papules and the area of hyperpigmented lesions and improved skin roughness and local blood circulation. In the control group, there was no obvious improvement over 2 months. Conclusion: This study suggests that the new non-drug combined therapy significantly improved acne, which provided experimental evidence and treatment guidance for patients with mild to severe acne, especially patients with moderate acne. This new therapy may possibly be an appropriate method for patients who seek topical treatments with mild side effects and low antibiotic resistance rates.

Keywords: acne (acne vulgaris); aloe vera gel; hyperpigmentation; non-drug therapy; soft mask; ultrasound.

Figure 1

The combined therapy reduced the number of papules and facial hyperpigmented area in the treatment group. (A) Average total number of papules/pustules before and after treatment in the treatment group and control group. (B) Average facial hyperpigmented area (%) before and after treatment in the treatment group and control group. The results are expressed as the mean ± SD. ***p < 0.001.

Figure 2

The combined therapy improved the acne condition in patients with mild to severe acne. (A,D) Representative photographs of mild acne patients before and after 2 months of the combined treatment. (B,E) Representative photographs of moderate acne patients before and after 2 months of the combined treatment. (C,F) Representative photographs of severe acne patients before and after 2 months of the combined treatment.

Figure 3

The combined therapy decreased the red area in the treatment group. (A) The proportion of red area before and after treatment in the treatment group and control group. (B) Representative pictures of a 27-year-old female taken by intelligent facial detection in the treatment group, which shows the comparison between the red area values before and after treatment. The results are expressed as the mean ± SD. *p < 0.05.

Figure 4

The combined therapy rescued the skin roughness in the treatment group. (A) The average value of facial skin roughness (%) before and after treatment in the treatment group and control group. (B) Representative pictures of a 32-year-old female taken by intelligent facial detection in the treatment group, which shows the comparison between the values of facial skin roughness before and after treatment. The results are expressed as the mean ± SD. *p < 0.05.

Figure 5

The combined therapy significantly promoted the skin condition in the treatment group. (A) The proportion distribution of the total efficacy in two groups. (B) The proportion distribution of the efficacy in the treatment group.

Figure 6

Side effects occurred during the course of treatment in the treatment group.