OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the involution changes’ correction in the facial skin in patients with skin cancer history as monotherapy and in combination with topical cream containing a photosensitizer (PS) in the inter-course period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 30 patients with skin neoplasms history stratified into 2 groups. In group I the patients underwent PDT therapy for involution changes in the facial skin with 8 sessions as monotherapy; in group II the patients used additionally a gel with FS in the inter-course period. It was used the PS with trismeglumine salt of chlorine E6 as active ingredient. Before and after the PDT the patients filled out a questionnaire where the condition of skin integuments was subjectively assessed. The assessment of wrinkles depth and the uniformity of face skin color considering the individual shade was carried out using the forehead, nasolabial folds and periorbital zone images; it was processed by Image J program.

RESULTS

A comparative analysis of PDT showed that it was possible to significantly improve the uniformity of the face color. In the group as a whole an even skin color was achieved in almost half (44%) of the group I and in the majority (71%) of group II. In the group where the gel with FS was used the number of patients without pastiness and with an improvement in skin turgor significantly increased. The proportion of patients with rosacea significantly decreased only with PDT in combination with FS gel.

CONCLUSION

PDT with a gel containing chlorine E6 trismeglumine salt reduces involution changes in the facial skin. It seems advisable to supplement the PDT procedures once a week with an outpatient gel application.