title: Split-face comparison of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and intense pulsed light versus intense pulsed light alone for photodamage.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Gold Skin Care Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, USA. goldskin@goldskin.care.com
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Virginia L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.forename: Molly M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Boring
authors.forename: Tancy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Biron
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid