Photodynamic Therapy

PDT or Photodynamic therapy is a skin treatment for precancerous lesions like Actinic Keratosis and certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers such as Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell in situ (Bowen’s Disease) of the face, scalp or body.

PDT has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing non - melanoma skin cancers in the region of treatment for those who have a previous history of BCC or SCC. It also provides excellent cosmetic results for photo – danged and photo – aged skin. Usually one or two treatments are needed to achieve adequate results.

Patients are required to have regular visits to a skin doctor after treatment, so any residual sun damage can be treated.

PDT involves the application of a cream to the area being treated in combination with an LED light source.

The cream is selectively absorbed by the precancerous or cancerous cells, and converted into a light activated molecule. The cream is left on for three hours and then removed. The treated areas are exposed to the red LED light which triggers a reaction to destroy the precancerous and cancerous cells.

Healthy, normal tissue surrounding the lesion is not affected.