Topical aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris

Abstract

Light treatments of sebaceous gland disorders with 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy are disclosed. A preferred treatment includes topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid to the skin followed by light exposures with repeated treatment at various intervals. At low doses of ALA and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in single or multiple treatments, improvement in the sebaceous gland disorder, e.g., acne, provides the discovery that diminishment in sebum secretion and the eradication of bacteria occurs. At high doses of ALA and a single high energy PDT treatment, permanent changes to the sebaceous gland and sebum secretion have been discovered.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A method for modifying pilosebaceous units, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) topically applying ALA to a section of a subject's skin, wherein the ALA is compounded to enter the subject's skin and be converted into a photosensitizing agent localized at a pilosebaceous unit and photo-actuable by energy which penetrates outer layers of epidermis; and    b) exposing the section of skin to about 10 J/cm 2  of energy or greater to cause the photosensitizing agent to become photodynamically activated and modify the pilosebaceous unit.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the steps of applying and exposing are carried out to durably modify openings to the infundibulum of pilosebaceous units.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the photosensitizing agent is PpIX.  
     
     
         25 - 29 . (canceled)