What is photodynamic therapy?
Photodynamic therapy is a method indicated for the treatment of certain skin lesions. It is a minimally invasive technique based on the application of light on the skin, on top of a specific photosensitive cream to attack only the affected cells without altering the healthy ones.
The advantage of this technique is its ability to improve the patient’s quality of life with minimal invasion, avoiding surgery and hospitalization. In addition, there have been no complications or side effects.
Why is it performed?
Photodynamic therapy is indicated for the treatment of various dermatological pathologies:
- Rosacea and certain types of acne.
- Some types of skin cancer, such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma.
- Fine wrinkles and aging skin
- Sun lesions such as nevi
- Scars; among others.
Thus, in addition to repairing skin lesions, this treatment increases oxygenation, luminosity and smoothness of the skin, eliminating toxins.
What does it consist of?
The procedure consists of applying a photosensitizing cream on the area of the skin to be treated, and then irradiating the area with a luminous dose of red light. This technique provokes a photochemical reaction that destroys the atypical or altered cells without damaging the healthy ones.
The patient can remain with the face covered and the photosensitizing cream applied for up to 3 hours, ensuring its absorption. After this step, the light exposure usually lasts about 10 minutes, varying depending on each case, and after the session the patient can immediately return to normal life.
The dermatologist may indicate the application of photoprotective creams for at least 48 hours after the treatment.
Red light acts on the skin and improves aspects such as aging,
acne lesions and even some types of cancer.
Preparation for photodynamic therapy
The patient should ask for the specific cream in the pharmacy, as well as keep it cold (between 2 to 8 ºC), it can be kept in the refrigerator. Apart from taking the cream to the session, it is not necessary for the patient to take any other preparation beforehand.
Even so, the patient should inform the dermatologist about his or her state of health and medication, since photodynamic therapy is contraindicated in pregnant women and patients with lupus or porphyrias.
Alternatives to photodynamic therapy
Depending on the pathology to be treated, there are various alternatives to photodynamic therapy.
For example, to treat nevi and sun lesions, laser or surgery can be used to remove them. For wrinkles and expression lines, multiple techniques can be used, such as lifting or the implantation of substances such as hyaluronic acid or botulinum toxin. finally, lesions suspected of causing skin cancer are usually treated with oncological treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.