Photo Dynamic Therapy

Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT) has the unique ability to minimise pores and reduce oil glands, effectively treating stubborn acne, rosacea, and improving the appearance of some acne scars.

PDT has also proven to be very effective for sun-damaged skin, sunspots and skin cancers.  

What is it?

Photo Dynamic Therapy is a treatment performed with a topical photosensitising agent called ALA (5-aminolevulinic acid), which is activated with a special blue (anti-bacterial) and/or red (healing) light.

The ALA is absorbed selectively by those cells in the skin that produce pigment, the blood vessels that make our skin red and cause rosacea, superficial pre-malignant skin lesions known as actinic keratosis, cancerous cells, and cells infected with acne causing bacteria.

The Treatment

The photosensitising solution is applied to the area to be treated and left on for 30-60 minutes. The treated area is then exposed to a specific wavelength of light for 5-10 minutes. When the light hits the skin, the ALA in the affected cells is converted into a chemical that releases free oxygen radicals, destroying those cells into which it has been taken up.

Photodynamic Therapy for severe cystic acne with three treatments, which included light microdermabrasion followed by ALA application for 30 to 60 minutes, followed by IPL

The reaction of the light and sensitised skin leads to a sunburn-like effect that exfoliates the superficial damaged layers of the skin. During the light treatment you may feel stinging, tingling, prickling or burning, but this should go away after the treatment.

The number of treatments needed varies but a series of 3-6 treatments 2-4 weeks apart is usually required, although some patients are happy with the results from only one treatment. More treatments can be done at periodic intervals in the future to maintain the rejuvenated appearance of the skin. Acne patients improve with 2-4 treatments, performed at three-week intervals.
                                                                                          

Post Treatment

There will be redness and light peeling for up to 7 days after treatment. The intensity of the post treatment redness and swelling depends on how long the ALA is left on, an individual’s sensitivity to ALA and the degree of sun damage, active acne and other underlying skin conditions the patient may have. Temporary swelling may occur for several days after treatment. Darker pigmented patches may become temporarily darker and then peel off leaving normal skin. This usually occurs over 7-10 days.
                                                                                                                           
Your activities are not limited after treatment, as long as you avoid direct light sources, including sunlight and direct reading light, for 48 hours following the treatment. Exposure to sunlight immediately following the treatments can result in a more exaggerated reaction with the most severe cases resulting in blistering.

Results

The results of Photo Dynamic Therapy will begin to be apparent as the post-treatment redness and swelling subside. After this time, active acne resolves, rosacea improves, pigmentation lightens, and chronic redness reduces. Within two weeks after a PDT treatment, your skin will feel noticeably smoother. Any actinic keratosis you may have will largely disappear.  

Please ask your doctor for further information.

See also  Microdermabrasion   IPL   Skin Cancer Treatment