ALA and Phototherapy for Acne
Title: Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy
with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid and intense pulsed light versus
intense pulsed light alone in the treatment of acne vulgaris:
comparative study.
Authors: Santos MA, Belo VG, Santos G
Publication: Dermatol Surg. 2005 Aug;31(8 Pt
1):910-5.
When applied to the skin, a photosensitizing agent called 5-aminolevulinic
acid or ALA is converted to a chemical that makes the skin very
sensitive to light. In this study, the author applied 20% ALA
solution to half of the faces of 13 patients with varying degrees
of acne and 3 hours later, subjected them to intense pulsed light
device. This procedure was done twice at a 2-week interval.
The authors note that there was no apparent improvement on both
sides of the face after 2 weeks (indeed, in some patients, acute
acne breakouts occur on the ALA-side of their faces). After 4
to 8 weeks, however, significant improvements are found in the
ALA side of the patient’s face. The authors concluded that
ALA application prior to intense pulsed light therapy may have
positive results.
