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COPYRIGHT © 2005 JOURNAL OF DRUGS IN DERMATOLOGY ' OF FACIAL SKIN WITH TOPICAL 20% 5,AMINOLEVULINIC ACID AND TREATMENT: A SPLIT,FACE COMPARISON STUDY Tina S. Alster MD," Elizabeth L. Tanzi MD,b Esperanza C. Welsh, MD,c

a. Director, Washington Institute of Dermatologic b. Co-Director, Washington Institute of Dermatologic c. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine

Abstract Background: Photorejuvenation of facial skin has been reported after intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy alone and in conjunc- tion with topica15-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), but no comparative studies between these regimens have been performed.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combination topica15-ALA and IPL compared to IPL treatment alone.

Methods: Ten patients with mild to moderate photodamage were randomly assigned treatment with 5-ALA + IPL on one facial half and IPL alone on the contralateral side. Two treatments were delivered at 4-week intervals. Clinical improvement scores were determined by masked evaluations of digital photographs obtained at baseline, prior to each treatment session, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the final treatment.

Results: High~r clinical improvement scores were noted on the combination 5-ALA + IPL treated areas. Mild edema, erythe- ma, and desquamation Wereobserved on the facial halves where 5-ALA was applied. No scarring or unwanted pigmentary alter- ation was seen.

Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy with combination topica15-ALA + IPL is safe and more effective for facial rejuvenation than IPL treatment alone.

Introduction PpIX has a large absorption peak in the Soret band (400- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical 5-aminole- 430 nm) and smaller absorption peaks at longer wave- vulinic acid (5-ALA) is an evolving, non-invasive treat- lengths (509,544,584,630,690 nm), therefore, many dif- ment for a variety of dermatologic conditions. Several ferent light sources can be utilized for 5-ALA PDT. reports have documented the successful use of PDT in the Shorter blue light wavelengths are most effectively treatment of vulgaris, non-melanoma skin cancers, absorbed by 5-ALA, but have limited skin penetration. psoriasis, verrucae, sebaceous hyperplasia, and cutaneous On the other hand, the longer yellow and red wavelengths T cell lymphoma.':" can activate 5-ALA deeper in the skin, potentially reduc- ing the number of treatments needed to exert a positive PDT involves the application of a photosensitizing chem- clinical effect. Treatment discomfort reported during PDT ical to a specific cutaneous lesion which, when exposed to using blue light may also be diminished with the use of visible light, results in excitation of the photosensitizer longer wavelengths. and consequent production of a reactive oxygen species that leads to cytotoxicity. Topical application of 20% Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, wherein a light source aminolevulinic acid (ALA) initiates time-dependent accu- emits a broad spectrum (515 -1200 nm) of wavelengths, mulation of the endogenous photosensitizer protoporphyrin has been reported to clinically improve rough texture, dys- IX (PpIX) in dysplastic and neoplastic dermatologic lesions pigmentation, telangiectasia, and the loss of elasticity and epidermal appendages such as sebaceous glands and hair associated with photo damaged skin.":" While its use with follicles. Since hyperproliferative cells are metabolically more topical 5-ALA also is of apparent benefit for actinic ker- active than normal cells, they convert more ALA to PpIX. atoses and photodamage, its relative efficacy to IPL treat- 36

JOURNAL OF DRUGS IN DERMATOLOGY ALA + IPL vs IPL: PHOTOREJUVENATION JANUARy/FEBRUARY 2005 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 1 "I Table 1. Mean Clinical Improvement.

Treatment 1 Month 3 months 6 Months 1PL 1.25 1.21 . 1.28

. 1PL + 5-ALA 1.83 1.77 1.65

Quartile grading scale: 1: <25%,2: 25%-50%, 3: 51%-75%, 4: >75% improvement

ment alone has not been studied.":" The purpose of this Digital photographs (Mirror Image, Canfield) were study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of IPL obtained using identical camera settings, patient position- treatment alone compared to IPL in combination with top- ing, and room lighting prior to each IPL treatment session ical 5-ALA in the treatment of facial cutaneous photo- and at 1,3, and 6 months after the final treatment. The damage. degree of clinical improvement of facial photo damage was rated by two independent observers using a quartile clini- Materials and Methods cal grading scale (1: <25% = minimal improvement; 2: Ten patients (2 male, 8 female, age range 38-63, mean 54.6 25%-50% = moderate improvement; 3: 51%-75% = years; SPT I and II) with mild to moderate facial photo- marked improvement; 4: >75% = excellent improvement) damage were included for study. No patient received any using comparative photographs to baseline at each treat- dermatologic facial treatments for 6 months prior to study ment and follow-upsession. entry. Study exclusion criteria included pregnancy or lac- tation, use of photosensitizing drugs, active infectious dis- Results ease, or history of photosensitivity. Greater clinical improvement was noted in the combina- tion topical 5-ALA + Il'Lrreated facial halves at all post- Facial halves were randomly assigned to receive treatment operative study points (mean clinical grades: 1.82 at 1 with the IPL alone or in combination with topicaI5-ALA. month, 1.77 at 3 months, 1.65 at 6 months) than in the Topical 20% 5-ALA (Levulan" Kerastick", DUSA facial halves receiving IPL treatment alone (mean clinical Pharmaceuticals Inc., Wilmington, MA) was uniformly grades: 1.25, 1.22, and 1.28 at 1,3, and 6 months, respec- applied to one facial half 60 minutes prior to IPL irradia- tively; Table 1, Figures 1A/B, 2A/B). tion. All patients were treated with an IPL source (IPL Quantum SR, Lumenis Corp., Yokneam, Israel) using a 560 nm Side effects were limited to transient erythema, mild cut-off filter at energies ranging from 27 to 30 J/cm2 (mean: edema, and occasional desquamation, particularly after 2 29.2 J/cm ) with a double pulse of 2.4 msec and 4.0 msec (10 combination 5-ALA + 1PL therapy (Table 2). No scarring msec delay). All IPL treatments were performed by a single or unwanted pigmentary alteration was seen. operator using identical technique and protocol. Patients were instructed to use a mild hypo allergenic cleanser and moisturiz- Discussion er, followed by a broad-spectrum sunscreen and strict avoid- As public demand grows for less invasive, yet highly effec- ance ofUVA and UVB light for 36 hours after each treatment. tive modalities to address common cosmetic skin concerns, Table 2. Side Effects (20 treatments) derma surgeons must continue to explore and develop new treatment options and combi- nations. Intense pulsed light photorej uvenation has been used successfully to improve o 30% 48 ours skin dyspigmentation, texture, and telangiectasia; however, a 65% 3-4 ays o series of treatments (3 to 6 in o 5% NA succession) are often required to affect significant clinical Scarrin yspigmentation o o NA change. 37

JOURNAL OF DRUGS IN DERMATOLOGY ALA +IPL vs IPL: PHOTOREJUVENATION JANUARy/FEBRUARY 2005 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 1 '0,1

Figure 1. A 33-year-old woman with facial dyschromia on the left cheek, chin, and lip before (A) and after (B) two IPL treatments (improvement score= 1).

Figure 2. The same woman (as in Figure 1) with facial dyschromia on the contralateral face before (A) and after (B) two combination ALA + IPL treatments (improvement score= 2).

PDT has been used in the treatment of numerous cuta- studies have also demonstrated increased fibrosis and new neous conditions and, more recently, for enhanced pho- formation in the dermis several months after 5- torejuvenation.":" This study represents the first split-face ALA-PDT for the treatment of basal-cell and squamous comparison to demonstrate short-incubation, topical 20% cell carcinomas." The reason for enhanced treatment of 5-ALA PDT using an intense pulsed light source as an telangiectasia using combined IPL and 5-ALA treatment is effective, well-tolerated method of photorejuvenation that unclear. For intravenous or systemic administration of photo- results in greater clinical improvement than IPL treatment sensitizers, the highest drug concentrations tend to occur near alone. More substantive improvement of skin color, tone, dermal microvasculature." Topical photosensitizers such as 5- and texture was evident within 2 treatment sessions. The ALA, on the other hand, accumulate predominantly in increase in side effects (erythema, edema, desquamation) appendageal structures and hyperproliferative cells. observed on the 5-ALA + IPL treated areas may render the combination procedure less acceptable by some individu- Conclusion als; therefore, it is essential that the risk of a mild photo- The use of short-incubation topical 5-ALA appears to toxic reaction be discussed with patients preoperatively. enhance the effectiveness of IPL treatment for facial pho- todamage, reducing the number of treatments required for The exact mechanism by which the addition of 5-ALA significant clinical improvement. Further study is warrant- enhances photorejuvenation with IPL has not been fully ed to optimize treatment protocols through a better under- elucidated. It is likely that surface texture and pigmenta- standing of the mechanisms of actions. tion improved through mild desquamation. Histological 38 JOURNALOFDRUGSIN DERMATOLOGY ALA +IPL vs IPL: PHOTOREJUVENATION JANUARy/FEBRUAR2005Y • VOLUME4 • ISSUE1

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