Acne problems can be troubling, especially when the treatment results do not meet expectations, leaving many individuals feeling helpless. For those with severe acne, oral isotretinoin may not be the best option, particularly for pregnant women or patients with concerns about its use. Generally, the effects of oral isotretinoin take about three months to manifest. However, if the treatment outcomes are unsatisfactory and there is a desire not to wait long, photodynamic therapy may be a good alternative.
First, let’s understand what photodynamic therapy is. This treatment primarily relies on three key elements: light, photosensitizers, and oxygen in the air. Whether using red light, blue light, or near-infrared light, each type of light source has its specific therapeutic effects.
In photodynamic therapy, photosensitizers are essential components, with ALA (aminolevulinic acid) and MA (methyl aminolevulinic acid) being the main substances currently used. Once applied to the skin, these substances can penetrate deeply into inflamed areas. When the light source interacts with these photosensitizers and combines with oxygen, a photodynamic reaction occurs, producing free radicals that effectively inhibit the development of severe acne.
A metaphor to illustrate this is that we can think of the photosensitizers as explosives placed inside the sebaceous glands, while the light source acts as a fuse, triggering a chain reaction that thoroughly eliminates inflammation and acne bacteria within the sebaceous glands, thereby achieving rapid treatment results.
However, photodynamic therapy is not entirely without side effects. Common side effects include mild redness, swelling, and a stinging sensation; a small number of individuals may experience crusting, which typically falls off within five to ten days and usually does not leave pigmentation marks. For patients concerned about pigmentation changes, the crusting caused by the photosensitizer does not have a long-term impact on skin color.
It is important to note that during the treatment, patients need to remain in a completely dark environment for one to two hours to ensure the photosensitizers react sufficiently.
Photodynamic therapy is a fast and effective acne treatment option, particularly worth considering for those who cannot tolerate oral isotretinoin.