Photorejuvenation Using Topical 5-Methyl Aminolevulinate and Red Light

Background: Photodynamic therapy has been proved to be effective in skin rejuvenation.

Objective: To evaluate clinical efficacy and side effects of photodynamic therapy using topical 5-methyl aminolevulinate and red light for photorejuvenation.

Methods: A randomized, prospective, split-face comparison study of 10 white, adult patients with moderate photodamage, Fitzpatrick skin types 2 or 3, and no occurrence of actinic keratosis was performed. Three treatments using topical methyl aminolevulinate cream, applied for 1 hour on one half of the face and 3 hours on the other half before illumination with red light. A blinded investigator prior to treatment and 2 months after the third treatment evaluated each side of the subject’s faces.

Results: A moderate improvement in fine lines, tactile roughness, and skin tightness was observed in most of the patients, mostly on the 3-hour time side. There were no changes in mottled pigmentation or telangiectasias. Side effects were observed in all subjects (erythema, edema, scaling) mainly in the 3-hour incubation time side.

Limitations: The small number of patients and the lack of placebo group. Conclusion: Methyl aminolevulinic-photodynamic therapy with red light can improve fine lines, tactile roughness and skin tightness in patients with moderate photoaging and no occurrence of actinic keratosis.