Light-Emitting Diode-Based Photodynamic Therapy for Photoaging, Scars, and Dyspigmentation: A Systematic Review.

5 Repeated evidence

What this means for you: this is established.

Type of study: meta-analysis or systematic review
Studied in: people
Participants: not stated in the abstract
Published: 2021 in Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]
Cited: 5 times by other research
Who paid: Not declared. PubMed carries no conflict-of-interest statement for most articles; that is not the same as independent.
Source: PubMed 32091415 · doi 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002351

The plain-language write-up of this study is still being written. Below is the abstract exactly as the researchers published it.

Abstract by the researchers — original text

BACKGROUND: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may be used as an activating light source for photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT), a form of noninvasive phototherapy. Photodynamic therapy for aesthetic dermatologic conditions has demonstrated skin rejuvenating effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of PDT using LEDs to treat aesthetic dermatologic conditions including photoaged skin, scarring, and dyspigmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted through May 31, 2019, to identify studies that used LEDs as a light source for PDT and evaluated cosmetic improvements as the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: A total of 24 original articles were included in the authors' systematic review. The available evidence supports methyl aminolevulinate or 5-aminolevulinic acid incubation followed by LED treatment for global improvement of skin quality, including smoother texture, reduction of rhytides, and improvement of scars. Histologic analysis for global skin improvement demonstrated increased collagen fibers and decreased elastin fibers after LED-mediated PDT. CONCLUSION: Light-emitting diode-based PDT seems to have beneficial effects for photoaging, scars and dyspigmentation. A paucity of high-quality studies using LED-based PDT for aesthetic outcomes was found, highlighting the need for well-designed randomized control trials on this topic.