What is Photodynamic Therapy?

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a special treatment with a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan (5-aminolevulinic acid or ALA) activated with the correct wavelength of light. This is also known as ALA/PDT treatment. These treatments remove sun damaged pre-cancerous zones and spots called actinic keratosis. Sun damage, fine lines and blotchy skin pigmentation are also improved because of the positive effects of levulan and the light treatment. ALA/PDT treatment also has the unique ability to minimize pores and reduce oil glands, effectively treating stubborn acne vulgaris, acne rosacea and acne scars. Overall, improve the texture and appearance of the skin resulting in skin rejuvenation.

How much improvement can I expect?

Patients with severe sun damaged skin manifested by actinic keratosis, texture and tone changes including mottled pigmentation and skin laxity may see excellent results. You may also see improvement of large pores and pitted acne scars. Active acne can improve dramatically.

How may treatments will it take to see the "best results"?

To achieve maximum improvement of pre-cancerous (actinic keratosis) sun damage, skin tone, and texture a series three treatments 2-4 weeks apart is most effective. Some patients with only actinic keratoses are happy with just one treatment. More treatments can be done at periodic intervals in the future to maintain the rejuvenated appearance of the skin.

What are the disadvantages?

Following PDT, the treated area can appear red with some peeling for 2-7 days. Some patients have an exuberant response to PDT and experience marked redness of their skin. Darker pigmented patches called liver spots can become temporarily darker and then peel off leaving normal skin (this usually occurs over 7-10 days). Repeat treatments may be necessary as PDT medicine is not an exact science.