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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
Photodynamic therapy using chlorophyll-a in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, single-blind, split-face
Byong Han Song1, Dong Hun Lee2, Byung Chul Kim1
1Department of Dermatology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
Background:
Chlorophyll-a is a novel photosensitizer recently tested for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Objective:
We sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy used for acne treatment.
Methods:
Subjects with acne on both sides of the face were included. Eight treatment sessions were performed over a 4-week duration. Half of the face was irradiated using a blue and red light-emitting diode after topical application of chlorophyll-lipoid complex. The other half underwent only light-emitting diode phototherapy. The lesion counts and acne severity were assessed by a blinded examiner. Sebum secretion, safety, and histologic changes were also evaluated.
Results:
In total, 24 subjects completed the study. Facial acne improved on both treated sides. On the chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy-treated side, there were significant reductions in acne lesion counts, acne severity grades, and sebum levels compared with the side treated with light-emitting diode phototherapy alone. The side effects were tolerable in all the cases.
Limitations:
All the subjects were of Asian descent with darker skin types, which may limit the generalizability of the study. A chlorophyll-a arm alone is absent, as is a no-treatment arm.
Conclusions:
We suggest that chlorophyll-a photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris can be effective and safe with minimal side effects.
