AMINOLEVULINIC ACID

Aminolevulinic Acid

Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) is a photosensitizer found within the human body naturally, from the formation of hemoglobulin, during heme synthesis. It is added to the skin topically as Levulin Kerastick (5-ALA) and Metvix (met-ALA). It is converted to light absorbable PplX which concentrates in damaged and diseased cells of the skin, because it is absorbed preferentially by rapidly dividing cells or inflammatory regions of the skin. Peak conversion levels take 6 hours approximately and are photobleached in about 2 days.

The thinner and more damaged the skin, the easier for the Aminolevulinic Acidto penetrate. Moreover, the longer you leave the Aminolevulinic Acid, the more that diffuse into the skin.