Intense pulsed light-photodynamic therapy for skin photoaging: an update

The mechanism and treatment of skin photoaging have become a hot spot in dermatology recently.To study how to slow down or reverse the photoaging process is of great value to skin-rejuvenation.As a non-ablative method for skin photorejuvenation,intense pulsed light-photodynamic therapy (IPL-PDT) shows a broad prospect.The authors compare the characteristic and efficacy of several photosensitizers,and propose several strategies to optimize treatment regimen and achieve satisfactory outcomes with minimized side effects.The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of IPL-PDT on skin photoaging are not very clear.Studies have shown that IPL-PDT can significantly improve skin uhrastructure,possibly through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in dermal fibroblasts.Further study is needed to clarify whether there are other pathways affected by IPL-PDT. Key words: Light;  Cell aging;  Intense pulsed light-photodynamic therapy;  Treatment outcome