The use of photodynamic therapy for treatment of acne vulgaris

Current topical and most oral therapies for acne vulgaris have limited efficacy, especially in moderate to severe cases. Photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and recently methyl aminolevulinate has been shown to be a safe and effective modality for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Consensus guidelines suggest that 30 to 60 minutes is sufficient 5-aminolevulinic acid contact time before photoactivation with blue light, red light, yellow light, broadband light, halogen, or pulsed dye laser devices. An average of three treatments can yield significant long-term improvement.