Dr. Jane Yoo explains photodynamic therapy, a treatment where a light-sensitive agent is applied to skin, left for 2-4 hours, then activated with blue or red light. It treats actinic keratosis, acne, and sun damage. Most patients need 1-2 sessions for keratosis, 2-4 for acne, with 48 hours of light sensitivity afterward.
I'm Dr. Jane Yoo, board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. Today, let's talk about photodynamic therapy, or PDT, a versatile treatment that can address various skin conditions, including sun damage and acne. So how does PDT work? It starts with applying a photosensitizing agent to the skin. These agents are absorbed by abnormal or overactive cells, like precancerous cells or overactive oil glands. This solution remains inactive until it's exposed to a specific wavelength of light, which activates it. Once activated, a chemical reaction occurs that selectively targets and destroys these problematic cells while leaving healthy tissue unaffected. For example, in cases of actinic keratosis, the photosensitizing agent penetrates the precancerous cells. Once the light activates it, these cells are destroyed, reducing the risk of skin cancer progression. The precision of this treatment makes it especially effective for sun-damaged areas. PDT is also a powerful option for treating acne. By targeting the overactive oil glands responsible for breakouts, the treatment helps shrink these glands, reducing future acne flare-ups. So here's what to expect. After the photosensitizing agent is applied, there's an incubation period of 2 to 4 hours to allow the solution to fully absorb into the targeted cells. Once the incubation is complete, a specific light, either blue or red, is applied for around 10 to 30 minutes to activate the solution. Post-treatment, your skin will be highly sensitive to light for about 48 hours, so it's important to avoid direct sunlight and even indoor light exposure. Be sure to wear protective clothing and diligently apply sunscreen. Some redness or peeling similar to a sunburn may occur, but typically subsides in a few days. For treating actinic keratosis, 1 to 2 sessions are usually enough, while acne may require 2 to 4 treatments. In addition to treating these conditions, PDT also improves skin texture and reduces pore size, leaving your skin feeling refreshed as well as rejuvenated. If you're looking for treatment that can tackle sun damage, acne, improve overall skin health, photodynamic therapy might be the right solution for you.
