Background: Polarized light photography has been used to selectively differentiate surface from subsurface features of photoaged skin.
Objective: Our purpose was to compare acne assessments obtained from clinical evaluations with assessments from photographs obtained with flash photography and with perpendicular polarized light photography.
Methods: Assessments of acne with the Cunliffe scale were made of 32 subjects. Retrospective evaluations of standard and perpendicular polarized light photographs were made in a blinded fashion by a panel of evaluators.
Results: Visualization of inflammatory acne lesions was enhanced with perpendicular polarized light photography, with clear delineation of erythematous borders. Acne assessments with the use of a Cunliffe scale were significantly higher (p = 0.001) from perpendicular polarized light photographs than for clinical evaluations.
Conclusion: Polarized light photography enhances visualization of inflammatory acne lesions in a manner not possible with conventional flash photographs, permitting accurate evaluation of the extent of disease and the effectiveness of therapy.