Combination of surgery and photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cystic acne of the scalp

Case report: Acne vulgaris treatment with 5-Aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy and adalimumab: a novel approach

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects a large proportion of teenagers and young adults. Despite the availability of various treatment options, many patients experience inadequate relief or intolerable side effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a growing interest in the treatment of acne vulgaris, with 5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) being one of the most commonly used photosensitizers. Adalimumab is a biologic medication used to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as Psoriasis and Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), which targets TNF-α. Combining different therapies, such as ALA-PDT and adalimumab, can often provide more effective and longer-lasting results. This report presents the case of a patient with severe and refractory acne vulgaris who was treated with a combination of ALA-PDT and adalimumab, resulting in significant improvement in the condition. The literature review highlights the significant comorbidity associated with acne, emphasizing the need for potential of TNF-α inhibitors for its effective treatments that address physical symptoms and ALA-PDT is known to treat scar hyperplasia, and to prevent or minimize the formation of post-acne hypertrophic scars. The combination of TNF inhibitors and ALA-PDT or adalimumab has shown promising results in treating inflammatory skin conditions, including severe and refractory acne vulgaris, as per recent studies.

A case of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy(ALA-PDT)combined with surgery for the treatment of acne conglobata

We report the case of a 20-year-old man with acne conglobata (AC) who was treated with 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) sequentially to deroofing, and finally used fractional carbon dioxide laser for esthetic requirements, achieving satisfying results. AC is a severe form of acne vulgaris that can lead to significant scarring and has serious negative effects on a patient's psychological well-being and quality of life. Some cases are likely resistant to currently available treatments. This report describes a promising, and effective method for the treatment of AC.