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Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2007 August;142(4):311-26

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for cosmetic uses on the skin

Gold M. H. ^{1, 2}

¹ Gold Skin Care Center Tennessee Clinical Research Center, Nashville, TN, USA 2 Department of Dermatology Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN USA

The utilization of aminolevulinic acid - photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in the United States has reached an all-time high with many clinicians utilizing this form of therapy for a myriad of dermatologic disorders. Worldwide, ALA-PDT is now being introduced to a wider audience, now available in Latin and South America and soon to be introduced into Asia. Europe still does not have access to the ALA-PDT drug available to other countries but time will tell before it is available for all to use. The purpose of this manuscript is to review ALA-PDT, from its history to it current uses and indications, and to expand upon its proper use and after care, to minimize any potential adverse events, and to make ALA-PDT treatments useful and effective for all of our patients. In addition, the dermatologic surgery world is primed for its 29th Annual Meeting, in Venice, Italy from October 24-26, 2007. We invite all of our Italian colleagues and dermatologists from all over the world reading this journal to entertain coming to this outstanding clinical and social meeting.