Photodynamic Photorejuvenation

Abstract

This study describes a new application of IPL technology. Patients who are candidates for photorejuvenation procedures presenting with AKs can now have AKs treated as part of the photorejuvenation process rather than necessitating separate topical therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or cryotherapy. In addition, many patients with AKs may benefit from the combination treatment with 5-ALA and IPL.

Clinical and echographic analysis of photodynamic therapy using methylaminolevulinate as sensitizer in the treatment of photodamaged facial skin

“…After pulsed visible light has been mathematically theorized to be as effective as continuous wave light in the excitation of porphyrins [13] and intense pulsed light (IPL) sources [14] and pulsed dye lasers (PDL) [15] had proved effective for ALA-PDT of AKs, their use in photochemorejuvenation was investigated with the aim of improving the cosmetic effect of such therapy.…”

Do pulsed lasers produce an effective photodynamic therapy response?

“…These devices are widely available and have recently been used in conjunction with ALA for photodamage. IPL was first described in 2002 with a series of patients who had more improvement in photodamage with combination therapy of ALA-IPL than with IPL alone [3]. This was followed-up by additional research [4].…”

Skin fluorescence controlled photodynamic photorejuvenation (wrinkle reduction)

“…The objective of this study was to investigate if the clinical efficacy of photorejuvenation type II (wrinkle reduction) could be further improved by optimizing the PDT effect by using either standard 30-to 60-minute pretreatment with 20% 5-ALA prior to IPL irradiation [23,24,25,[27][28][29] or a new 1-1 1 2 hour repeated spraying regime with 0.5% liposome encapsulated 5-ALA followed by IPL irradiation. Also, the incidences of phototoxic side effects for these two modalities were compared.…”

“…In 2002, both Ruiz-Rodriguez et al [23], Gold [24], and Morton et al [25] found increased clinical efficacy in treatment of signs of ageing skin following IPL treatment of actinic keratosis with a 615 nm cut off filter and pretreatment with 20% 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) for 3-4 hours prior to the IPL treatment.…”

“…Importantly, reduction of the 5-ALA application time from 3-4 hours to 30-60 minutes did not result in inferior clinical outcome. Side effects such as erythema, edema, and crusting are often seen as adverse effects after photorejuvenation with a pre-treatment of 2-3 hours of 20% 5-ALA [23], and many patients report down-time of up to 1 week after treatment [30]. Unfortunately, even with reduced 5-ALA application time, the frequency and severity of adverse effects such as erythema and edema are significant.…”