title: Liposome-encapsulated 0.5% 5-aminolevulinic acid with intense pulsed light for the treatment of inflammatory facial acne: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liposome used in spray form to encapsulate and deliver 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) into the pilosebaceous unit lowers the concentration of 5-ALA to 0.5% in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for acne, with low post-treatment photosensitivity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical outcome and side effects of PDT using intense pulsed light (IPL) and 0.5% 5-ALA spray for inflammatory facial acne in Asian skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve subjects (skin types IV-V) with facial acne received full-face treatment at 3-week intervals with IPL 1 hour after being sprayed with 5-ALA. Lesion counts were assessed using serial standardized photographs taken up to 6 months after treatment. Serial sebum measurement and subjective assessment was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were mean reductions in inflammatory lesions of 52% at 1 month (p=.02) and 65% at 6 months (p=.04) after treatment. Mean subjective acne score decreased from 6.6 to 4.5 (on a scale from 1 to 10) 1 month after treatment. Significant reduction in sebum production was noted only on the forehead. No significant side effects, including postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and phototoxicity, were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of 0.5% liposome-encapsulated 5-ALA spray with IPL reduced inflammatory facial acne in Asians, with a low risk of persistent phototoxic effects after PDT in this pilot study.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Chi K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Samantha Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Henry H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044466:Asian People; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid