{
  "abstract": "Post-acne erythema (PAE) is a persistent acne sequela without an established standard treatment. This systematic review evaluated the comparative efficacy and safety of interventions tested in randomized trials. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception through August 1, 2026. Randomized parallel-group and split-face trials reporting erythema outcomes were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis, and available findings were synthesized narratively. Nine trials involving 301 participants contributed 11 pairwise comparisons. Against untreated or blank controls, favorable effects were reported for picosecond alexandrite laser, narrow-spectrum vascular intense pulsed light (IPL), and non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid mesotherapy. A 577-nm semiconductor laser showed interim instrumental benefit, but blinded assessors found no final between-side difference. In active-treatment and add-on comparisons, narrow-spectrum IPL was favored over broad-spectrum IPL, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd) laser added to low-dose isotretinoin was favored over isotretinoin alone, and 577-nm pro-yellow laser was favored over topical brimonidine. Botulinum toxin type A was favored over broadband light at the earliest assessment only. Fractional laser and pulsed dye laser did not differ significantly, while delicate pulsed light and Q-switched 1064-nm Nd laser showed no sustained difference at the final assessment. Adverse events were mild and transient, although pigmentation and blistering occurred with one broad-spectrum IPL protocol. Five trials had some concerns, and four had high overall risk of bias. Trials suggested potential benefits, but small samples, heterogeneity, short follow-up, and reporting limitations precluded identification of a preferred treatment. Larger, prospectively registered trials using blinded assessment and standardized outcomes are needed.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Medicine, Almaarefa University, Riyadh, SAU.",
    "Neonatology, Riyadh Second Health Cluster, Riyadh, SAU.",
    "Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, SAU.",
    "Family Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, SAU.",
    "Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.",
    "Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, SAU.",
    "Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAU.",
    "Clinical Research, Independent Researcher, Riyadh, SAU."
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 14,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ahmed Alhussain"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Mohammad Majrashi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Khalid Omar AlMubarak"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Rayan Faleh Alqahtani"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Nasir Abdullah Al Melhem"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shahad Saad S AlShammari"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Thamer M Mubarah"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ghadeer A Alameer"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Fatima Mohammed Al-Sawad"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Hadeel Hesham Buali"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Raghad Khalid Alenezi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Mohammed A Ababtain"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Bader Ahmed Sabei"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        7
      ],
      "name": "Abdulelah F Alshehri"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ecrbz9g1n79cj.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.7759/cureus.116495",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13677114",
  "id": "ecrbz9g1n79cj",
  "issns": [
    "2168-8184"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894818",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2708|Dermatologic Treatments and Research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7213533064",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13677114?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13677114",
  "pmid": "42894818",
  "published": "2026-09-18",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ecrbz9g1n79cj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:41Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42894818",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894818"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2708|Dermatologic Treatments and Research",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Post-acne Erythema: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on the Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Interventions Across Clinical, Instrumental, and Patient-Reported Outcomes.",
  "title_text": "Post-acne Erythema: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on the Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Interventions Across Clinical, Instrumental, and Patient-Reported Outcomes.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:41Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ecrbz9g1n79cj",
  "venue": "Cureus",
  "versions": []
}