A child with acne.
Photodynamic therapy for acne involves the use of a particular wavelength of light in conjunction with a light-sensitive medication to try to lighten the skin. It often works for patients with refractory acne, but it’s impossible to say with any degree of certainty how effective it is or predict the likelihood that photodynamic therapy for acne will work for any particular patient. Various skin conditions improve dramatically in some patients and not in others. Conditions that are most likely to improve with treatment include acne vulgaris, sun damage, and actinic keratosis.
Photodynamic therapy often works for people with acne that is resistant to treatment.
Photodynamic therapy for acne emerged as a result of photodynamic therapy to treat some cancerous and precancerous cells. In the course of cancer treatment, doctors noted an improvement in other skin conditions, and the treatment entered the cosmetic field. Scientific studies, however, have been inconclusive about the efficacy of acne treatment. The results of some studies showed an improvement of up to 81% in the treated condition, while others showed an improvement so small that it became statistically irrelevant. Sites offering patient reviews of the treatment show similar mixed results, with some cursing and others saying they saw little or no improvement.
Photodynamic therapy sessions to treat acne are usually done two to four weeks apart.
During a photodynamic therapy session to treat acne, a photosensitizing agent, usually aminolevulinic acid, is applied to the skin. This is followed by an incubation period ranging from minutes to days. The skin is then exposed to light of various wavelengths. The light activates the photosensitizing drug, resulting in the creation of excited oxygen molecules that destroy nearby cells.
Another form of photodynamic therapy for acne uses methyl aminolevulinate to sensitize the skin. No significant differences in efficacy were observed between the two types of treatment. Possible side effects of dynamic photodynamic therapy for acne include pain during illumination, redness, peeling, crusting, and pustular eruptions. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and dirt. A fan may be used to help cool the skin during treatment.
The advantages of photodynamic therapy for acne include rapid treatment and the absence of surgical excisions. While oral acne medications generally have systemic effects, PDT for acne is topical and therefore has no systemic side effects. The resulting exfoliation can also leave your skin looking younger. Treated skin will be red and scaly for several days after treatment, and the patient should stay indoors the day after the procedure to avoid sun exposure. As an additional precaution, the application of sunscreen is recommended.
Photodynamic therapy for acne treatment usually requires a series of treatments to be fully effective. These treatments are usually done two to four weeks apart. To maintain a rejuvenated appearance, additional treatments may be performed periodically. To maximize the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for acne, the doctor must tailor the treatment to the individual patient’s skin and the part of the body being treated. While facial skin requires only a short incubation period with photosensitizing agents, skin on the chest, back, and forearms requires a longer incubation period.