It may sound counterintuitive, but exposing sun-damaged skin to more light can help it to look younger.
Specifically, a recent study has shown that a two-part laser procedure called photodynamic therapy increases collagen and provides other molecular improvements.
With photodynamic therapy, a topical photosensitizer called 5-aminolevulinic acid, or 5-ALA, is applied for three hours. Then the skin is treated with a pulsed dye laser.
Researchers in the Department of Dermatology of the University of Michigan Health System examined skin biopsies of 24 adults and found that photodynamic therapy increased two types of collagen associated with improved appearance.
This study focused on participants’ forearm skin.
The researchers therefore hope to reproduce the results on the skin of the face in the near future.
