Background: Acne vulgaris (acne) is one of the most common skin diseases with complex pathogenesis. Numerous studies have shown that the microecosystem of sebaceous glands and Cutibacterium acnes play key roles in its pathogenesis. Antibiotics targeting C. acnes have been widely used in acne treatment, but the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance has become alarming. Further research into the microecosystem of sebaceous glands and the role of specific C. acnes phylotypes in acne pathogenesis has led to a paradigm shift in acne treatment. Currently, non-antibiotic therapies such as light therapy and laser therapy are becoming increasingly popular, opening up new opportunities in acne management.
Methods: Studies on the microecosystem of sebaceous glands associated with acne and the effects of light and laser therapies on the microecosystem in acne treatment were retrieved from the PubMed database.
Results: Dysbiosis of the microecosystem of the pilosebaceous unit is closely related to the pathogenesis of acne. Light and laser therapies have an impact on the microecosystem of the pilosebaceous unit in acne treatment.
Conclusions: Light and laser therapies are the popular alternative options in acne treatment. The mechanisms of their effect on the microecosystem of sebaceous glands are not completely clear and require further research, especially for laser therapy.
Keywords: Cutibacterium acnes; acne treatment; acne vulgaris; laser therapy; light therapy; microecosystem.
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