| Objective To investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of photodynamic therapy,employing low concentration of photosensitizer,short incubation time,and red light source,in the treatment of acne vulgaris.Methods Thirty patients with facial ache were randomized into two groups.In the one group, patients were applied with 5%5-aminolevulinic acid(ALA) on the facial lesions of the right side and with placebo agent on left side as control.In the other group,5%ALA were applied on the facial lesions of the left side and with placebo agent on right side as control.All patients were irradiated with red light once a week for four sessions.The lesions count,adverse effects,sebum secreting level,and pigmentation index were recorded at each visit.Results Two weeks after the last treatment,the ALA- treated side 25.9%of the patient showed that 60%or more of the lesion were improved,while the control side did not.The efficacy analysis of the ALA-treated side was superior to the control side(p＜0.05).Compared to the baseline which denoting acne lesions before treatment,it showed a reduction in all kinds of lesions on the ALA-treated side(p＜0.05),however,there was only a reduction of pustules and total lesion counts on the control side(P＜0.05).Conclusions Both 5% ALA-PDT and red light alone can be effective in the treatment of acne.The effective rate and efficacy analysis of 5%ALA-PDT was superior to using red light alone.The adverse effects of 5%ALA-PDT were mild or moderate. |
