According to the US researchers, sun-damaged skin can be improved by laser treatment. In this treatment a topical solution increases the skin’s sensitivity to light, and can improve the sun burnt skin.

Researchers at the University Of Michigan Health System Department Of Dermatology said that the worst damaged skin may also respond very well in this treatment.

For treatment, the patients were treated with a topical photosensitizer called 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and then with a pulsed dye laser. This treatment is also called as a photodynamic therapy. Treatment produces skin changes to improve its appearance.

Lead author Jeffrey S. Orringer said, “This is new scientific evidence that photodynamic therapy may in fact be a useful tool to improve the appearance of the skin. This type of therapy has been performed in clinical practice for the past few years, but we''ve never had detailed molecular evidence for why it may work.”

Researchers performed the treatment on 25 adults with sun-damaged skin, who were between 54 to 83 years old. They received 5-ALA and pulsed dye laser therapy for 3-4 times. This procedure improves the appearance of skin by increased production of collagen- a protein that provides skin its texture and elasticity.  

Scientists have noticed that after treatment the protein procollagen 1and procollgen 3 increased and there were molecular changes in participant’s skin.

Orringer said, “It lends molecular or scientific credibility to a procedure that's being done out there, and it's also the first step in understanding how to make this treatment more effective.” This treatment is less painful than laser tattoo removal, he added.