Porphyrins are a substance directly related to the presence of acne. Acne, which is a disorder of multifactorial sources, is characterized by an overproduction of sebum that can clog hair follicles and create lesions called microcomedones and comedones. These lesions will be colonized with a bacteria called P. acnes and promote inflamed acne lesions. The bacteria involved in this process will produce some products, one of them being porphyrins.
Porphyrins are strongly fluorescent and can be seen by orange-red fluorescence in the follicle openings by examining facial skin under appropriate ultraviolet A (UVA) light.
This way, the presence of this substance can be detected through some specialized devices, like the Visiopor® PP 34 N, by the company Courage and Khazaka. It has a camera with a specific UV light to visualize the fluorescing spots in a standard area. The orange-red fluorescence indicates the presence of P. acnes bacteria and consequently, porphyrins.
Another device to study its presence is the VISIA® Skin Analysis System, which has a high-resolution camera attached to an updated software that allows faster image capture with automatic analysis of different parameters, including the porphyrins on the whole face region.
The obtained images can be used to understand the actual situation of the skin and efficacy of the treatments done. Less orange spots mean clearer skin with fewer acne lesions. So, the presence of porphyrins is common in people with acne and enhances the treatment and possible results.
About the Author: MSci Maísa Melo is a Pharmacist and a current PhD student in cosmetic technology, from São Paulo, Brazil. She has earned her master’s degree from the University of São Paulo and has been involved with the development, stability, safety, and efficacy of cosmetics since 2013. She has specialized in the clinical efficacy of cosmetics by biophysical and skin imaging techniques as well as the use of alternative models to animal testing. Her research work has been published in several scientific journals and book chapters from the field.
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