Photodynamic Therapy

Phototherapy
Compare To Other Treatments

The following side effects are expected during the photodynamic therapy course. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe and/or do not go away:

How Common (based on clinical studies)

PainUp to 100% of all users
Redness in the areaUp to 100% of all users
PeelingUp to 83% of all users
Mild transient acneUp to 78 % of all users
SwellingUp to 71.4% of all users
Severe painUp to 68.4% of all users
ItchingUp to 65% of all users
Temporary pigmentary changeUp to 65% of all users
Stinging sensationUp to 55% of all users
Severe redness Up to 35% of all users
CrustingUp to 33.3% of all users
Burning sensationUp to 15% of all users
BlistersUp to 2.3% of all users
RashUp to 2% of all users
ScabUp to 2% of all users

Photodynamic therapy may also cause other side effects that are not mentioned here. Contact your doctor if you experience any other troublesome symptoms after photodynamic therapy.

References
  1. Akaraphanth R, Kanjanawanitchkul W, Gritiyarangsan P. Efficacy of ALA-PDT vs blue light in the treatment of acne. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 23(5), 186-90 (2007).
  2. Hörfelt C, Funk J, Frohm-Nilsson M, Wiegleb Edström D, Wennberg AM. Topical methyl aminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy for treatment of facial acne vulgaris: results of a randomized, controlled study. Br J Dermatol. 155(3), 608-13 (2006). 
  3. Jang MS, Doh KS, Kang JS, Jeon YS, Suh KS, Kim ST. A comparative split-face study of photodynamic therapy with indocyanine green and indole-3-acetic acid for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol. 165(5), 1095-100 (2011).
  4. Lee WJ, Jung HJ, Kim JY, Lee SJ, Kim DW. Effect of photodynamic therapy on inflammatory acne using 3% liposomal 5-aminolevulinic acidemulsion and intense-pulsed light: A pilot study.  J Dermatol. 39(8), 728-9 (2012)
  5. Ma Y, Liu Y, Wang Q, Ren J, Xiang L. Prospective study of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for the treatment of severe adolescent acne in Chinese patients. J Dermatol. 42(5), 504-7 (2015).
  6. Ma L, Xiang LH, Yu B, Yin R, Chen L, Wu Y, Tan ZJ, Liu YB, Tian HQ, Li HZ, Lin T, Wang XL, Li YH, Wang WZ, Yang HL, Lai W. Low-dose topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of different severity of acne vulgaris. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 10(4), 583-90 (2013).
  7. Mei X, Shi W, Piao Y. Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy with topical 5-aminolevulinic acid and intense pulsed light in Chinese acne vulgaris patients. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 29(2), 90-6 (2013).
  8. Nicklas C, Rubio R, Cárdenas C, Hasson A. Comparison of efficacy of aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy vs. adapalene gel plus oral doxycycline for treatment of moderate acne vulgaris- A simple, blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 35(1), 3-10 (2019).
  9. Orringer JS, Sachs DL, Bailey E, Kang S, Hamilton T, Voorhees JJ. Photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled, split-face clinical trial of topical aminolevulinic acid and pulsed dye laser therapy. J Cosmet Dermatol. 9(1), 28-34 (2010).