A Critical Narrative Review and Expert Consensus on the Clinical Positioning of Non‐Ablative Laser‐Based Therapy in Acne Treatment
Fabienne Ballanger, Marie‐Thérèse Leccia, Nicole Auffret, Jean‐Paul Claudel, Brigitte DrénoABSTRACT
Introduction
Acne is characterized by inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesions. Traditional therapies include topical and systemic agents, which often face limitations such as resistance and side effects. Non‐ablative laser‐based therapy (LBT) has emerged as a promising modality, offering targeted effects on sebaceous glands and Cutibacterium acnes .
Objectives
This work discusses the mechanisms, clinical applications, efficacy, limitations, and future directions of laser therapy in active acne lesion management, excluding scars and post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Material and Methods
Five experts in acne analyzed the content of 15 published sources between 2004 and 2025 and propose an acne treatment approach that includes the use of non‐ablative LBT.
Results
Limited clinical evidence suggests that non‐ablative LBT provides safe and effective reduction of lesions. However, variability in protocols, limited clinical evidence, and accessibility do not allow confirmation of non‐ablative LBT as a valuable treatment alternative to conventional treatment. Non‐ablative LBT may be safe and effective as an alternative to first‐line intention medication in mild acne and as an adjuvant second‐line treatment to conventional treatment or if conventional second‐line acne treatment fails. Efficacy remains to be confirmed through well‐designed and sufficiently powered clinical studies.
Conclusion
Non‐ablative LBT may be a useful and effective future option for acne management, offering both lesion clearance and cosmetic improvement. Proper protocol selection and validated clinical investigations in large cohorts that allow for a critical assessment of the different available non‐ablative LBT approaches remain mandatory to objectively confirm its clinical benefit in the treatment of active acne lesions.