Optimizing treatment of acne with photodynamic therapy (PDT) to achieve long-term remission and reduce side effects. A prospective randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL-PDT) is an effective treatment of acne vulgaris, but is associated with side effects. We performed a prospective randomized split-face study aimed at optimizing MAL-PDT treatment. Patients (n = 33) were randomized to two or four treatments of PDT with MAL on one cheek and placebo vehicle on the other cheek, 1-2 weeks apart. A 1.5-h pre-treatment with the MAL cream was followed by illumination with red light (20 J/cm 2). Assessments were performed before treatment and 4, 10, and 20 weeks after the last treatment. In comparison to baseline, the number of inflammatory lesions at 20 weeks on cheeks treated with MAL-PDT showed a relative decrease of 74% in the group with two treatments and 85% in the group with four treatments. This new treatment regimen for both MAL-PDT and red-light-only PDT, with shortened pre-treatment and reduced light dose, could be an effective modality.
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Treatment with MAL-PDT has most commonly been associated with treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers and, more recently, acne.
“Treatment with MAL-PDT has most commonly been associated with treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers and, more recently, acne.112,113”
From Effect of skin color on optical properties and the implications for medical optical technologies: a review (2024) · cites this paper as [113]
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Acne Demystified: A Roadmap to Clear and Healthy Skin for Your Patients
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- Authors
- Wojewoda, K., Gillstedt, M., Tovi, J., Salah, L., Wennberg Larkö, A.-M., Sjöholm, A., & Sandberg, C.
- Affiliations
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
- University of Gothenburg (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Wojewoda, Karolina
- Venue
- Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-10
- Volume
- 223
- Pages
- 112299
- ISSN
- 1011-1344 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3193836651
- Cited by
- 23
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4
- FWCI
- 3.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- acne, photodynamic therapy, methyl aminolevulinate, treatment regimen optimization, red light illumination, inflammatory lesions, long-term remission, treatment side effects, split-face study
- MeSH terms
- Acne Vulgaris, Adolescent, Adult, Aminolevulinic Acid, Female, Humans, Light, Male, Pain, Photochemotherapy, Placebo Effect, Treatment Outcome, Photosensitizing Agents, Young Adult
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