A chlorin e6 derivative-mediated photodynamic therapy for mild to moderate acne: A prospective, single-blind,...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Photomedicine
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit.
• Current treatments aim to reduce inflammation and bacterial load, but novel therapeutic approaches are continually sought.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of chlorine e6 derivative-mediated photodynamic therapy (STBF-PDT) for mild to moderate acne.
• To compare STBF-PDT with red-light therapy alone in a split-face controlled study.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, single-blind, randomized, split-face controlled study was conducted on 26 patients with mild to moderate acne.
• Four sessions of STBF-PDT were applied to one half of the face, while the other half received red-light treatment without a photosensitizer.
• Efficacy was assessed by lesion clearance rates, VISIA Porphyrins mode fluorescence, and skin physiological parameters at multiple time points.

Main Results:

• STBF-PDT demonstrated significant improvement in acne lesions compared to the control group, with a total lesion clearance rate of 67.42% versus 41.05% four weeks post-treatment (P < 0.001).
• Inflammatory lesion clearance was markedly higher in the STBF-PDT group (84.41%) than the control group (50.10%) (P < 0.0001).
• STBF-PDT significantly reduced skin sebum levels and was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse reactions reported.

Conclusions:

• STBF-PDT presents a safe and effective therapeutic option for managing mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
• The treatment effectively inhibits sebum secretion, contributing to its overall efficacy in acne management.