We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Beauty

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Effective is Photodynamic Therapy for Acne?

By Evalyn Broderick
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 5,970
Share

Photodynamic therapy for acne involves using a particular wavelength of light in conjunction with a light-sensitive medicine to try to clear the skin. It often works for patients with treatment-resistant acne, but it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty just how effective it is or to predict the likelihood that photodynamic therapy for acne will work for any particular patient. Various skin conditions improve dramatically in some patients and not in others. Conditions most likely to improve from the treatment include acne vulgaris, sun damage and actinic keratosis.

Photodynamic therapy for acne came about as a result of photodynamic therapy to treat some cancerous and precancerous cells. In the course of the cancer treatment, doctors noticed an improvement in other skin conditions, and the treatment made its way into the cosmetic arena. Scientific studies, however, have been inconclusive about the treatment's effectiveness for acne. Some study results have shown as much as 81 percent improvement in the condition being treated, while others have shown so little improvement as to be statistically irrelevant. Websites that offer patient reviews of the treatment show similarly mixed results, with some swearing by it and others saying they saw little to no improvement.

During a photodynamic therapy session to treat acne, a photosensitizing agent — usually aminolevulinic acid — is applied to the skin. This is followed by an incubation period ranging from minutes to days. The skin is then exposed to light of various wavelengths. The light activates the photosensitizing medication, which results in the creation of excited oxygen molecules that destroy nearby cells.

Another form of photodynamic therapy for acne uses methyl aminolevulinate to sensitize skin. No significant difference in effectiveness has been observed between the two types of treatments. Possible side effects of photodynamic dynamic therapy for acne include pain during illumination, redness, exfoliation, crusting and pustular eruptions. The exfoliation helps clear away dead skin cells and dirt. A fan can be used to help cool skin during the treatment.

Advantages of photodynamic therapy for acne include rapid treatment and the absence of surgical excisions. While oral acne medications often have systemic effects, photodynamic therapy for acne is topical and, thus, has no systemic side effects. The resulting exfoliation can also leave skin looking younger. Treated skin will be red and peeling for several days after the treatment, and a patient must remain indoors the day after the procedure to avoid sun exposure. As an extra precaution, the application of sun screen is recommended.

Photodynamic therapy for acne treatment usually requires a series of treatments to be fully effective. These treatments typically happen from two to four weeks apart. To retain a rejuvenated appearance, additional treatments can be performed periodically. To maximize the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for acne, the physician should tailor the treatment to the individual patient's skin and the body part being treated. While facial skin only needs a short incubation period with photosensitizing agents, the skin of the chest, back and forearms requires a longer incubation period.

Share
BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.beautyanswered.com/how-effective-is-photodynamic-therapy-for-acne.htm
Copy this link
BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.