Treatment of inflammatory facial acne vulgaris with intense pulsed light and short contact of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid: a pilot study.

Author: Rojanamatin J, Choawawanich P

Author affiliation: Department of Dermatosurgery and Laser, Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand. jinda_r@inderm.go.th

Publication date & source: 2006.08, Dermatol Surg., 32(8):991-6

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and red light (550-700 nm) has been introduced for effective treatment of facial acne. Untoward side effects are common, however. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the short contact of topical ALA and intense pulsed light (IPL) in treatment of inflammatory facial acne. METHODS: Fourteen patients with inflammatory facial acne were treated with IPL on the left side and combination of IPL and topical ALA on the right side at 3- to 4-week intervals for three sessions. Clinical photographs and lesion counts were obtained for evaluation. RESULTS: All patients revealed a reduction in number of acne lesions on both sides. On the ALA-pretreated side, lesion counts decreased 87.7% at 12 weeks after the last treatment (p < .01). Meanwhile, lesion counts on the nonpretreated side decreased 66.8% (p < .01). In addition, a number of lesion counts on the ALA-pretreated side decreased. Mild edema and minimal crust developed on the combined-treatment side. CONCLUSION: Short contact of topical ALA and IPL or IPL alone showed some beneficial effect in treatment of inflammatory facial acne; however, degree of improvement was better and remained longer with the combined regimen. Side effects were mild and reversible.

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