Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy
Dermatology & Aesthetics
≈ ¥800-2500
(≈ $115-360)
30 min
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Description
Estimated cost for Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy at general public hospitals in China is about ¥560-2000, and at Grade 3A hospitals about ¥800-2500, varying by hospital tier and region.
Main Uses
Primary clinical use is the treatment of moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne vulgaris (especially recalcitrant to conventional therapy). Also used off-label for acne scarring improvement, sebaceous gland modulation, and adjunctive management of rosacea-associated papulopustules and actinic keratosis. Indicated when patients desire non-antibiotic, non-hormonal options or have contraindications to isotretinoin.
Normal Range
ALA-PDT is not a diagnostic laboratory test with numerical 'normal ranges'; it is a therapeutic photodynamic procedure. No quantitative biomarkers or reference values (e.g., mg/dL, IU/mL) are measured before or during treatment. Clinical efficacy is assessed qualitatively via lesion count reduction (>50% decrease in inflammatory acne lesions after 3–4 sessions), physician global assessment (PGA), and patient-reported outcomes.
Low Values - Possible Causes
N/A — ALA-PDT does not yield 'low values' as it is not a quantitative assay. Suboptimal clinical response (e.g., <30% lesion reduction) may result from inadequate ALA penetration, insufficient light dose (J/cm²), poor patient compliance with pre-treatment sun avoidance, epidermal barrier dysfunction limiting protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) accumulation, or use of topical antioxidants that quench reactive oxygen species.
High Values - Possible Causes
N/A — ALA-PDT does not produce 'high values'. Excessive treatment intensity (e.g., high ALA concentration, prolonged incubation >3 hours, or excessive light fluence >120 J/cm²) may cause adverse effects including severe erythema, edema, crusting, blistering, or dyspigmentation—but these are not 'high values' of a measurable parameter.