Some of the first signs of aging are when fine lines begin to form around the eyes and lips. As the collagen and elastin continue to diminish, deeper lines and grooves form in our brow, next to the nose and down to the corners of our mouths. Surface irregularities such as rough lesions, pre-cancers, or pigment discoloration may also occur.

At AboutSkin Dermatology located in Metropolitan Denver (Englewood), Colorado, with a South office located in Lone Tree, Colorado, our advanced technologies enable us to treat red complexions, fine wrinkles, acne and acne scarring, irregular pigmentation, large pores and other skin imperfections safely, easily and effectively with very little down time.

 

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
PDT is performed in conjunction with a topical application of an acid solution called ALA (aminolevulinic acid), a product that makes cells more sensitive to light in order to treat the signs of skin damage, including pre-cancers.

 

How does PDT work?
With PDT specific wavelengths of light are delivered to the skin. Once delivered, the targeted tissue absorbs the light's energy. We use our advanced light systems and topical applications of ALA to restore a more youthful appearance to your skin by efficiently treating redness, flushing, pigmentary problems, acne, scars, and wrinkles. This provides you with smoother, healthier, younger-looking skin with less blemishes.

PDT for Pre-cancers
PDT has been most extensively studied on the treatment of actinic keratoses, a pre-cancer that tends to be a red and scaly lesion on sun damaged skin. Many patients with actinic keratoses find this in-office procedure preferable to, and more time-efficient than, the home-applied topical creams. A few treatment sessions can usually significantly reduce or clear a large area of pre-cancers, without going through the often month long process of applying these creams.

 

Can PDT treat acne?
Light therapy can be administered alone or in conjunction with a topical application of ALA for the treatment of acne. PDT has been shown to shrink and destroy oil glands as well as to kill bacteria in your skin that causes acne. Combination treatment with light and topical ALA may offer a synergistic effect with additional reduction of acne lesions. Studies show certain wavelengths (including blue light) provide treatment for both active lesions and acne-prone sebaceous or oil-secreting glands. In addition, patients with certain types of rosacea will usually see a reduction in facial redness and sometimes some improvement is small papules and cysts as well.

 

What are the benefits of PDT?

 

What are the treatments and recovery like?
PDT is usually spaced at two to four week intervals. Treatment regimens vary from patient to patient depending on the condition being tested. You will receive a topical application of ALA solution prior to your treatment session. PDT can cause mild to moderate pain during treatments. After the treatment, it is expected that mild to severe redness, blistering and scabbing can often occur. These effects depend on how long the ALA solution is left on, how much light is used, and which light source is used to activate the ALA. The worst cases heal like a severe sunburn over several days.

It is important for patients to avoid all bright light sources (including going outdoors at all during daytime even on cloudy days, proximity to windows or sky lights, or even exposure to bright indoor lights) for 48 hours after treatment. Otherwise, you may resume normal activities immediately understanding you will have some redness and peeling for several days. After treatment, there may also be some discomfort. The skin may appear flushed, brown spots may be darker and tiny veins may be more visible. These changes are in reaction to the treatment, and will usually diminish over the next few to several days.

 

What results can I expect?
After each PDT session, you will experience some improvement in skin tone and texture. There will be a decrease in the overall redness and flushing. Pre-cancers and sunspots will usually fade; pore sizes will usually shrink. Fine lines and wrinkles can gradually decrease in size as new collagen can form beneath the skin. These improvements often continue to take place with each treatment session.

 

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