Efficacy of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a kind of chronic inflammatory dermal disorder that occurs in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles on face, neck, back, and chest, which has affected almost every adult and adolescent during their lifetime at a certain time. 1,2 Studies have shown that the incidence of acne is as high as 85%, which has greatly affected the psychology and quality of life of patients even though it is not life-threatening. 3 The clinical features of acne include seborrhea, noninflammatory lesion (including closed or open comedone), inflammatory lesion (pustule and papule), and scarring to different extents. Acne has complex pathogenesis. Currently, the occurrence and development of acne are found to be related to factors such as massive secretion of sebum under the action of androgen, the change in sebum composition, the abnormal keratosis of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, the

A split‐face clinical trial of conventional red‐light photodynamic therapy versus daylight photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris

“…This assumption was confirmed in our current study, where DL-PDT was shown to be as effective as C-PDT. These results are in line with a recent meta-analysis and systemic review of trials using PDT for acne 23 that concluded that a specific wavelength within the visible light spectrum made little difference to PDT efficacy.…”

“…While some groups reported that C-PDT was an effective treatment for both open and closed comedones, 22,24 several others reported not having shown that effect. 4,19,20,23,25 When asked to elaborate, they stated that their response was influenced by the study protocol, which included both treatments for all of the patients, therefore making it difficult to arrive at a clear-cut decision.…”

An overview of treatment options for mild‐to‐moderate acne based on American Academy of Dermatology, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, and Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology guidelines

“…Its efficacy in the treatment of acne has been shown by several studies. 28,29 A two-center, prospective assessor-blinded, proof-of-concept study assessed the effectiveness of PDT with red light in combination with 5% gel aminolevulinic acid in the treatment of the inflammatory component of mild-to-moderate acne. 30 Thirty-five patients with moderate acne were enrolled and clinical status was assessed considering Global Acne Grade System (GAG) at baseline and after three sessions of PDT (each of 15 minutes) with a statistically significant reduction of GAG score (P = .0001).…”

“…Again, in the context of phototherapies, the option of photodynamic therapy (PDT) should be mentioned. Its efficacy in the treatment of acne has been shown by several studies 28,29 . A two‐center, prospective assessor‐blinded, proof‐of‐concept study assessed the effectiveness of PDT with red light in combination with 5% gel aminolevulinic acid in the treatment of the inflammatory component of mild‐to‐moderate acne 30 .…”

Efficacy of IPL therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A meta‐analysis

“…Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been recognized as a favorable alternative treatment for mild to severe acne, especially for lesions insensitive to topical therapy and oral antibacterials, or those inapplicable for isotretinoin 10 . Nonetheless, the obvious adverse events (like severe pain, burning sensation, erythema, and edema 11 ) and the high cost may greatly restrict the further application of PDT. Intense pulse light (IPL) has been applied for more than 20 years 9 .…”