A new study published in Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy evaluated the long-term improvement effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) – the first-line treatment for actinic keratosis (AK), on photoaging.

This was a retrospective review that included data of 10 patients with AK who received field-directed ALA-PDT on one side of the face and lesion-directed ALA-PDT on the other side. Clinical photographs of patients were evaluated with Global scores of photoaging (GSP) assessment at baseline and 1 month, 6 months and 24 months after ALA-PDT.

It was noted that there were improvements in the fine lines and mottled pigmentation. All the 10 patients achieved complete response of AK lesions and had no relapse during the 24-month follow-up period.

Therefore, it was concluded that photoaging can be effectively alleviated in the long-term follow-up after ALA-PDT treatment for AK.

Source: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy. 2021 Jan 8;102181. doi:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102181.