Photodynamic Light Therapy (PDT)

What to expect before and during the procedure:

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• Bring a wide-brimmed hat or umbrella to protect you from the sun. 
   

• Male patients: you may shave before PDT. You may keep your beard as well. 
   

• Stop Vitamin A creams (e.g., tretinoin, adapalene, Retin-A, Atralin, etc.) for 3 days prior to PDT. 
   

• The skin will be cleansed to increase penetration. 
   

• The medicine will be applied and will be absorbed for 1-2 hours, depending on your condition. 
   

• We use either a blue light or intense pulsed light to treat the skin. 
   

• During the treatment, you may feel some burning discomfort during the treatment lessened by fans or cold air.

 

After the Treatment:

• After treatment, the skin will be light sensitive for 48 hrs. 
  
  – Avoid bright light, including exam room examination lights, operating room lamps, tanning bed lights, and household lights at close range. 
   

• Hats, scarves and thick sun block with zinc oxide and light avoidance are required to protect the skin. Sunscreens will not reliably protect against continued photosensitivity. 
   

• Usually, redness and mild peeling occur for 2-3 days. Occasionally, burning discomfort can continue for 24 hours and more prolonged peeling and redness 5-14 days can occur. Rarely, symptoms may last for up to 4 weeks. 
   

• Apply moisturizers as needed.

 

 

TWO (2) TREATMENTS EACH YEAR ACHIEVE MAXIMUM RESULTS.

 

Complications:

• Severe reactions occur usually because: 1) large number of pre-skin cancers (more drug is absorbed); 2) excessive sun exposure during the 48 hour window 
  
  – Driving in the car is NOT “staying inside” 
  
  – The sun’s rays penetrate through window glass & high SPF sun block is not enough. 
  
  – People who have severe reactions often have excellent results. 
   

• Scaling/crusting, hypo/hyper-pigmentation, itching, stinging, and/or burning, erythema and edema. Severe stinging and/or burning was reported by approximately 50% of patients.