ALA-PDT and pulsed dye laser combined with oral antiandrogen drug in the treatment of cystic acne in a patient with hyperandrogenism

Glycolic acid peel (GAP) is useful and safe for mild acne. Severe complications of 20% GAP are expected to be very rare. We reported a case of cystic acne occurring after 20% GAP in a patient with hyperandrogenism, treated successfully by topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT), pulsed dye laser (PDL) and oral antiandrogen drugs. No such a severe complication of 20% GAP has been reported in EMBASE and MEDLINE.