Photodynamic therapy using chlorophyll-a in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, single-blind, split-face study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chlorophyll-a is a novel photosensitizer recently tested for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy used for acne treatment.

METHODS:

Subjects with acne on both sides of the face were included. Eight treatment sessions were performed over a 4-week duration. Half of the face was irradiated using a blue and red light-emitting diode after topical application of chlorophyll-lipoid complex. The other half underwent only light-emitting diode phototherapy. The lesion counts and acne severity were assessed by a blinded examiner. Sebum secretion, safety, and histologic changes were also evaluated.

RESULTS:

In total, 24 subjects completed the study. Facial acne improved on both treated sides. On the chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy-treated side, there were significant reductions in acne lesion counts, acne severity grades, and sebum levels compared with the side treated with light-emitting diode phototherapy alone. The side effects were tolerable in all the cases.

LIMITATIONS:

All the subjects were of Asian descent with darker skin types, which may limit the generalizability of the study. A chlorophyll-a arm alone is absent, as is a no-treatment arm.

CONCLUSIONS:

We suggest that chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris can be effective and safe with minimal side effects.

• Authors: Byong Han Song, Dong Hun Lee, Byung Chul Kim, Sang Hyeon Ku, Eun Joo Park, In Ho Kwon, Kwang Ho Kim, Kwang Joong Kim
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 71 Issue 4 Pg. 764-71 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24930587 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Chlorophyll
• Chlorophyll A

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (drug therapy, pathology)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Biopsy, Needle
• Chlorophyll (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Chlorophyll A
• Esthetics
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Patient Selection
• Photochemotherapy (adverse effects, methods)
• Reference Values
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Single-Blind Method
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult