Dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., demonstrated how photodynamic therapy combined with a long-pulse, pulsed-dye laser and topical 5-aminolevulinic acid provides long-lasting clearance of acne lesions.
"Laser technology has made great inroads in the treatment of acne, which until recently has been treated almost exclusively, and with varying degrees of success, with topical, systemic and hormonal medications," said Alexiades-Armenakas.
She added: "Now, we have solid evidence-based medicine supporting the effectiveness of certain laser therapies as a long-term solution for treating active acne. The key is to distinguish the benefits and limitations of these available technologies and select the most effective treatments for each acne patient."
In a preliminary study, Alexiades-Armenakas examined whether a combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a photosensitizer known as topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and activated by long-pulse, pulsed dye laser could safely and effectively clear mild to severe cases of acne.
PDT works by using laser or light energy, in this case a pulsed dye laser was used, to activate the ALA, which is a solution that penetrates into the oil glands and is applied to the skin one hour prior to treatment.
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