Patent ID: 6897238

Claim:
A method for treating at least one of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, and sebaceous gland hyperplasia comprising the steps of: a) topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) at a low dose in a range between about 0.10 and 1.0 percent by weight to a section of skin afflicted with at least one of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, and sebaceous gland hyperplasia, wherein the ALA is compounded for delivery, to sebaceous glands and is converted into a photosensitizing agent actuable by energy that penetrates outer layers of epidermis; and b) exposing the infiltrated section of skin to energy to cause the photosensitizing agent to become photodynamically activated to kill bacteria and thereby treat at least one of acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, and sebaceous gland hyperplasia without modifying the sebaceous gland.