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PDT is thought to work by shrinking the skin's oil glands. This can drastically reduce the amount of oil within the pores, thereby reducing comedones. For those with moderate to severe acne that doesn't respond well to traditional topical treatments, this is good news.
ALA-PDT may also kill
bacteria that cause acne breakoutsand normalize the shedding of dead skin cells within the follicle. It also seems to improve the skin's overall texture, and holds promise in the repair of
acne scarring.
Treatment Method
While many patients participating in early photodynamic therapy trials reported moderate to severe pain, the treatments administered today are virtually painless, due to "short contact" therapy.
Most short contact photodynamic therapy treatments start with
microdermabrasion,to remove excess dead cells on the skin's surface and enhance ALA penetration. The photosensitizing agent (ALA) is applied to the skin and allowed to set for a period of 15 to 60 minutes. The agent is then removed and the skin is treated, most commonly, with blue light.
A series of three to five treatments are usually performed at a period of two to four week intervals. The number of treatments recommended depends on the severity of acne. Some patients may notice results after the first treatment.
Photodynamic therapy can be used in conjunction with other acne treatments, such as topical retinoids or
salicylic acid.
allowed to set
Sources: "Photodynamic therapy is lighting the way for medical and cosmetic treatments." 2007. American Academy of Dermatology. 20 Jun 2007.
www.aad.org
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