About Photodynamic Therapy in Victoria.
Photodynamic Therapy, also known and PDT, is a unique non-invasive treatment to address precancerous and cancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses on the skin. For Victoria and Vancouver Island residents who have truly indulged in the sun (protected or not) the sun damage incurred can take years to appear on the skin’s surface. PDT addresses both what is seen and what lurks just below the surface to help prevent the development of cancerous lesions. As a pleasing side effect, PDT is also known to improve the clarity of the skin tone and can be considered to address moderate to severe acne.
Photodynamic Therapy helps with:
- actinic keratoses
- sun damage
- acne
How it works:
A prescription photosensitizing agent such as Metvix® or Levulan® is applied to the skin and left to absorb. After a recommended incubation period, a therapeutic wavelength of light activates the agent which has been selectively absorbed into damaged skin cells or by acne-causing bacteria. Once activated, a form of oxygen is created which selectively targets both visible and invisible damaged cells, leaving surrounding tissues unharmed. In addition to addressing precancerous and cancerous cells, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) kills microbial cells like P. acnes bacteria to clear acne lesions.
Before After *
*DISCLAIMER: Individual outcomes, results and number of treatments recommended may vary based on individual patient needs, medical history, and circumstances. Cosmedica Laser Centre cannot guarantee exact or permanent results or cures.
Cost
- LOW
- MED
- HIGH
Starting from $750 per treatment
Recovery
Number of treatments
1 to 3 treatment sessions
Photodynamic Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
The incubation period of a PDT treatment is relaxing and comfortable. The office-based blue or red light activation, which takes a few minutes, is uncomfortable to painful. A handheld fan is helpful and the painful sensation gradually subsides after the light treatment is complete. There is also a method called Daylight Activated PDT that is less painful but has less predictable results.
Following a recovery period of up to 10 days, your skin will normally appear clearer. Two treatments, 2-4 weeks apart is the recommended treatment. Subsequent treatments will be considered depending on the extent and degree of sun damage.
Acne patients will notice fewer blemishes. Sun damaged patients will experience sloughing as the body’s natural processes eliminate actinic keratoses (and even certain targeted superficial skin cancers) and notice more even skin tone.
For the treatment of precancerous skin damage, you should expect a 5-10 day healing period. Acne patients may experience up to 5-7 days of redness and flaking. In all instances, PDT treatments photosensitize the skin, so we recommend avoiding sunlight exposure for 48 hours after each treatment.
Preventing further sun damage requires avoiding the sun at peak times, wearing protective clothing and applying an antioxidant serum in combination with a broad spectrum sunscreen every day–rain or shine.
