The efficacy of IPL and ammonium lactate 14% versus ammonium lactate alone in the treatment of keratosis pilaris

Keratosis rubra pilaris is a common condition with an estimated percentage of 40% involvement in the population. This condition is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and more commonly involves patients with dry skin. In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) plus ammonium lactate versus ammonium lactate alone in the treatment of keratosis pilaris.

A total of 50 patches were selected in 10 patients. If there were two similar patches with the same color and same location, each of them was randomized to receive ammonium lactate (Kerapil cream®) or ammonium lactate (Kerapil cream®) +IPL. Treatment was performed for 3 months, and improvement was rated by physicians and patients one month and two months after the intervention.

The grade of improvement in the IPL + ammonium lactate was not significantly higher than ammonium lactate alone group as rated by blinded physicians at week 4 (P > 0.05). However, the score of improvement was also higher, as rated by the patients, in the IPL + ammonium lactate versus ammonium lactate alone (P < 0.05) at week 8.

Our results demonstrated that addition of IPL to ammonium lactate could improve the clinical response of keratosis pilaris lesions.