Photodynamic Therapy

Integrating biochemistry, chemistry, physics, biomedical science and clinical medicine, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cutting-edge technology combining light and light sensitive agents. First employed to destroy bacteria and other dangerous organisms, PDT can destroy unwanted tissue while sparing the normal tissue.

What Types of Conditions Can be Treated with PDT?
Photodynamic therapy has been effective in the treatment of actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous spots), sun damaged skin, acne, rosacea, non-cancerous skin growths, warts, and many other conditions.

How Does PDT work?
In PDT therapy a drug called a photo sensitizer (Levulan) is applied to the skin. The Levulan is absorbed preferentially by certain structures in the skin, such as hair follicles, oil glands, bacteria, or rapidly growing cells. The Levulan is harmless and has no effect on either healthy or abnormal tissue. However, when we direct the proper wavelength of light onto tissue containing the Levulan; the drug becomes activated in the skin, resulting in destruction of the targeted tissue.

How Does PDT Treat Acne?
Levulan is able to shrink sebaceous glands, which results in long-term reduction of acne. Recent studies have shown that weekly treatments using topically applied Levulan followed by light activation have resulted in remarkable improvement in the severity of patients' acne. The treatment is done every 1-4 weeks with a customized skin care regimen in between PDT treatments.

For acne and other skin problems, there is a course of treatments each week for 4-7 weeks depending on the severity of the problem. Week one is a PDT treatment with Levulan. The following weeks are either a mild peel or repeat PDT treatments. An individual program is developed for each patient based on his or her needs.

How long does a PDT procedure take?
The time span required to complete a procedure will vary depending on which area and outcome is desired. Most can be completed in 60 minutes.