Evaluation of Topical Photo-Enhancer Assisted Intense Pulsed Light versus Methylene Blue Assisted Intense Pulsed Light for Treatment of Seborrheic Keratosis

Abstract

eborrheic keratosis (SK) is one of the most common benign epidermal tumors that affects both sexes equally, and usually arises in individuals older than 50 years. It presents as sharply demarcated, slightly raised brownish patches or plaques, usually on sun-exposed surfaces of the skin. The clinical presentation can be quite variable and includes clinical variants, such as stucco keratosis and dermatosis papulosa nigra. It can be divided into six major histopathological variants: acanthotic, hyperkeratotic, adenoid, irritated, clonal, and melanoacanthoma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique that utilizes reactive oxygen species produced by a nontoxic dye or photosensitizer molecule in the presence of low intensity visible light to kill mammalian or microbial cells. The advantages of PDT are numerous; it is a safe, noninvasive technique which yields effective therapeutic results. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a broadband visible light emitted from a non-coherent, filtered flash lamp. IPL sources emit light in the 500-1200 nm range and allows treatment of melanocytic lesions.