Facial follicular porphyrin fluorescence: correlation with age and density of Propionibacterium acnes

SUMMARY The incidence and distribution of facial follicular porphyrin fluorescence was studied in a large group of subjects ranging in age from 1 to 90 years. Fluorescence appears first on the nose and chin, increases in incidence through adulthood and declines after the age of 50 possibly reflecting the rate of sebum secretion. We have shown that the intensity of fluorescence is proportional to the P. acnes population and confirmed that coproporphyrin III is produced in vivo.