An Experience of Photodynamic Therapy with ALA in Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is most common dermatological condition which is treated by a wide spectrum of therapeutic armamentarium. Moderate to severe forms are usually managed by topical and/or oral medications, but at times; either they are contraindicated or patients don't show the optimal response. Topical Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) isan emerging modality for the treatment of acne vulgaris. PDT employs photo sensitizer, oxygen and activating light. There is no consensus so far regarding its light dosimetry and incubation period with photosensitizer however a number of clinical trials are helpful guidance. PDT with Aminolevulininc Acid (ALA) is indeed very promising, from the point of view that this is the only modality other than oral retinoid that have been proved to inhibit sebaceous gland function and to maintain prolonged remission of acne vulgaris. We present accessories of twelve patients who were successfully treated for acne with PDT after photosensitization with topical 5ALA. At the end of follow-up (after 10 weeks) ten patients were not having any new lesion and two were having only few inflammatory lesions. We therefore recommend topical PDT as an important treatment modality for intractable and resistant cases of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.