Photorejuvenation using topical 5-methyl aminolevulinate and red light.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy has been proved to be effective in skin rejuvenation.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical efficacy and side effects of photodynamic therapy using topical 5-methyl aminolevulinate and red light for photorejuvenation.


METHODS
A randomized, prospective, split-face comparison study of 10 white, adult patients with moderate photodamage, Fitzpatrick skin types 2 or 3, and no occurrence of actinic keratosis was performed. Three treatments using topical methyl aminolevulinate cream, applied for 1 hour on one half of the face and 3 hours on the other half before illumination with red light. A blinded investigator prior to treatment and 2 months after the third treatment evaluated each side of the subject's faces.


RESULTS
A moderate improvement in fine lines, tactile roughness, and skin tightness was observed in most of the patients, mostly on the 3-hour time side. There were no changes in mottled pigmentation or telangiectasias. Side effects were observed in all subjects (erythema, edema, scaling) mainly in the 3-hour incubation time side.


CONCLUSIONS
The small number of patients and the lack of placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
Methyl aminolevulinic-photodynamic therapy with red light can improve fine lines, tactile roughness and skin tightness in patients with moderate photoaging and no occurrence of actinic keratosis.
Ruiz-Rodríguez
Ricardo
R
Unidad de Dermatología, Clínica Ruber, Madrid, Spain.
López
Laura
L
Candelas
Daniel
D
Pedraz
Javier
J
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012060:Rejuvenation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid