Uebelhoer Nathan S, Dover Jeffrey S
SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, 1244 Boylston Street, Suite 302, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
Dermatol Ther. 2005 May-Jun;18(3):242-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2005.05023.x.
With the advent of short contact and pulsed light techniques, topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (5-ALA PDT) has become a viable clinical modality. Intense pulsed light, the pulsed dye laser, and blue light-emitting lamps have become the most commonly used devices in inducing a cosmetic PDT effect. More recently, by combining the photothermal effects of pulsed light with the photochemical effects of PDT, an enhanced cosmetic effect has been demonstrated in a variety of dermatologic conditions. In addition, the use of shorter 5-ALA incubation times allows for improved patient tolerance during treatment and subsequently fewer adverse effects in the postoperative period. A review of the current literature on cosmetic uses of PDT as well as our personal techniques are discussed in detail.
