The Efficacy Treatment of Topical Aiminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic on Cystic Acne Therapy

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of topical 3% 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) cream mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of cystic acne. Methods Twenty-two cases received a series of ALA-PDT sessions (1-3 courses) in the treatment group. And 17 cases received oral Isotretinoin in the control group.The observation would be stop when the lesions withdrew more than 90% or 6 weeks later. Results The numbers of cysts significantly reduced in treatment group much more than that in control(P0.01). The complete recovery rate after 2,4 and 6 weeks later were 9.09%,40.91%,100% in group of ALA-PDT vs. 0,11.76%,58.82% in group of Isotrenion,respectively (P0.05). The results of ultrasonic examination revealed that the cysts were disappeared or significantly reduced after ALA-PDT. Patients in the treatment group felt more satisfied than that in control at the end (P0.05). More prolonged relapse was found after ALA-PDT (P0.05). The recurrence rate were much lower in treatment group than that in control (P0.05). Conclusion 3% ALA cream mediated PDT provides a safe and fast effect alternative for cysts acne. It also could delay relapse.