Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) London

PDT (photodynamic therapy), or photochemotherapy, involves light that selectively destroys the damaged cells while spurring the formation of healthy cell imprint musk. It is a procedure that involves continually exposing the treatment area to high-intensity light of a specific wavelength. Any cells that this light touches will be oxygen-starved and, thus, will not survive and fall away. PDT may destroy blood vessels in the tumour and trigger the immune system to attack the tumour cells. If you have a severe condition, you may need to use an ALA cream, and a longer incubation time is needed.

An example of this is ‘ALA’, which stands for 5-aminolevulinic acid. To be applied topically, ALA cream causes the target area to become hypersensitive to light and is essentially an activation ointment for the light-induced chemical reaction. After 24 to 72 hours, the chemicals will leave the normal cells but stay in the damaged cells to continuously treat them.

Your doctor will need to cleanse the treatment area with alcohol to remove all the natural oils before starting the therapy. They will apply a sensitising solution to the treatment area. 30 minutes or more is needed for incubation. Your doctor will start to use the light energy for 15 minutes or more to activate the sensitising drugs after the incubation period. You will feel a burning and stinging sensation for the first 5 minutes. It will just go away after the treatment. After your light energy treatment, the area will be cleansed to remove all the solutions, and your doctor will apply sunscreen immediately.

After your PDT, you will be more sensitive to light for the next 48 hours. This is the effect of the combination of photosensitizing agents and light energy. You need to apply sunscreen right after the therapy as well as every day.

PDT is safe when done by a well-trained professional. There may be temporary side effects after the treatment, but it can be easily managed. So there is no need to worry. Follow your doctor’s advice to heal properly.

The kind of PDT and the level of your sensitivity will determine the pain you will feel. Some of our clients experience intense burning and stinging sensations. Others just feel slightly warm.

The number of sessions you need depends on your concerns and how severe the damage is. Different problems require different numbers of sessions. It is best to consult your doctor to know your requirements and to give you a treatment plan. Book an appointment here.

Photodynamic therapy can improve the quality of your results when combined with other treatments. Topical medicines such as hydroquinone and retinoids can be added to your daily routine. Combining cosmetic procedures like dermal fillers, IPL, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, Botox, LED light therapy, and microneedling is great as well. Ask your dermatologist for proper advice.

Extreme pain, swelling, blistering, and irritations are all symptoms of infections. If you feel or experience any one of them, or if there are also changes in colour or allergies, and if you notice high photosensitivity and delays in your healing, call your doctor or go to your clinic immediately.

The treated area is a little bit red even after PDT, but it will not stop you from going back to work unless you work outside under the sun. Patients should avoid any overexposure to harmful rays while their skin is at its most sensitive. For the rest of your healing, it is a good idea to still use an excellent-quality, high-aspect SPF at all times.