Split-face comparison of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and intense pulsed light versus intense pulsed light alone for photodamage.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photosensitizing agent and a variety of lasers and light sources has been shown to enhance the treatment of photodamaged skin and its associated actinic keratoses (AKs). The efficacy of short-contact, full-face ALA by PDT in photorejuvenation has also been demonstrated.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate short-contact (30 to 60 min) ALA-PDT with intense pulsed light (IPL) activation by comparing ALA-PDT-IPL with IPL alone. METHODS Sixteen patients were enrolled in a split-face study. One side of each patient's face received ALA-PDT-IPL and the other side received IPL alone. Three treatments were given at 1-month intervals, and follow-up visits occurred at 1 and 3 months after the final treatment.


RESULTS
Thirteen patients completed the trial. Three months after the final treatment, improvement was greater in the ALA-PDT-IPL side than in IPL-alone side for all facets of photodamage-crow's feet appearance (55 vs 29.5%), tactile skin roughness (55 vs 29.5%), mottled hyperpigmentation (60.3 vs 37.2%), and telangectasias (84.6 vs 53.8%). The clearance rate of AK lesions was also higher (78 vs 53.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-contact ALA-PDT-IPL brings about greater improvement in photodamaged skin and greater clearance of AK lesions than IPL alone, further confirming the usefulness of ALA-PDT in photorejuvenation.
Gold
Michael H
MH
Gold Skin Care Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, USA. goldskin@goldskin.care.com
Bradshaw
Virginia L
VL
Boring
Molly M
MM
Bridges
Tancy M
TM
Biron
Julie A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid