X-ray therapy

Although superficial X-ray therapy (SXT) may have the potential temporarily to reduce the size of sebaceous glands and sebum output; such a study has not been performed. SXT is seldom used to treat acne today, for several reasons: the  most important of which  is the availability of therapies that are so much more effective and the lack of proof of its efficacy. In addition, while the reports of thyroid carcinoma developing in patients with a history of previous X-ray therapy for acne are controversial,  they remain a concern to some  physicians. Nevertheless,  superficial X-ray therapy is still given by some dermatologists.

No longterm harm  is likely to result provided that the total life dose is limited to less than 9.0G. It is also preferable to  reserve this form of therapy for patients over the age of 17 years.  A typical dose schedule is 0.9 G at three-weekly intervals on three occasions. It is essential that trained personnel are employed in this potentially dangerous therapeutic field. Deep X-ray therapy, which does markedly reduce sebaceous gland size, is no longer used because of its unquestionable carcinogenic effects.