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. 2008 Jul;1(2):32-7.

Therapeutic and aesthetic uses of photodynamic therapy part one of a five-part series: the use of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of actinic keratoses and in photorejuvenation

Michael H Gold  1
Affiliations

Therapeutic and aesthetic uses of photodynamic therapy part one of a five-part series: the use of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of actinic keratoses and in photorejuvenation

Michael H Gold. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2008 Jul.

Abstract

The utilization of aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy in dermatology has steadily been on the rise since its introduction into our therapeutic armamentarium almost 10 years ago. Clinicians are realizing the continued benefits of this therapy from a therapeutic and cosmetic/aesthetic outcome. This was first seen in the treatment of nonhyperkeratotic actinic keratoses of the face and scalp where resolution of the actinic keratoses was achieved and a cosmetic improvement noted from the therapies. Clinicians are embracing photorejuvenation utilizing aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy, which is reviewed in this article.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Levulan® Kerastick (Dusa Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, Massachusetts)
Figure 2
Figure 2
BluU® (Dusa Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, Massachusetts)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Metvix® (PhotoCure ASA, Norway; Galderma, Fort Worth, Texas)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Red Light Source, Aktilite® (PhotoCure ASA, Norway; Galderma, Fort Worth, Texas)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Protoporphyrin IX absorption spectrum. (Reprinted with permission from Gold, MH. PDT with lasers and IPLs. In: Sclfani AP, ed. Emerging Technologies in Facial Plastic Surgery for Clinics of North America. London, UK: Elsevier; 2007;15(2):145–160. ©Elsevier 2007.)
Figures 6a and 6b
Figures 6a and 6b
Photorejuvenation effect after ALA–PDT treatments.
Figures 6a and 6b
Figures 6a and 6b
Photorejuvenation effect after ALA–PDT treatments.
Figure 7a
Figure 7a
Levulan® PDT for AKs. Patient presented with AKs before treatment.
Figure 7b
Figure 7b
The same patient after three treatments of Levulan® PDT.
Figure 8a
Figure 8a
Levulan® PDT for photorejuvenation. This figure shows a patient before treatment.
Figure 8b
Figure 8b
The same patient after four Levulan® PDT treatments.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Nakaseko H, Kobayashi M, Akita Y, et al. Histological changes and involvement of apoptosis after photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses. Br J Derm. 2003;148:122–127. - PubMed
    1. Fantini F, Greco A, Cesinaro AM, et al. Pathologic Changes after Photodynamic Therapy for Basal Cell Carcinoma and Bowen Disease. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:186–194. - PubMed
    1. Jeffes EW, McCullough JL, Weinstein GD, et al. Photodynamic therapy of actinic keratoses with topical aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride and fluorescent blue light. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;45(1):96–104. - PubMed
    1. Jeffes EW. Levulan: the first approved topical photosensitizer for the treatment of actinic keratosis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2002;13(Suppl 1):S19–23. - PubMed
    1. Gold MH. The evolving role of aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride with photodynamic therapy in photoaging. Cutis. 2002;69(6 Suppl):8–13. - PubMed

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