Photodynamic Therapy (cont.)
In this Article
What is a typical skin PDT session like?
You may be given a written procedure-consent form to read and sign before your first treatment. The medical staff may
take some pretreatment photography prior to applying the photosensitizer
medication.
In the treatment room, you may be sitting or comfortably lying back
on a table. Often a thorough cleansing of the face is done using alcohol and or
acetone to degrease the skin. The less oil on the skin, the more readily the
skin will absorb the applied topical medication. In some patients, microdermabrasion may additionally be performed prior to the application of the
medication to further prepare the skin to optimally absorb the photosensitizer.
The photosensitizer liquid or cream is applied topically to the whole area being
treated (such as the entire face, scalp, back of the hands, back part of the
forearms, legs, feet, scalp, chest, or back).
The medication is allowed to air
dry for a few minutes, and then you will wait anywhere from 30-60 minutes for the
incubation time. Some areas such as chest, back, and particularly forearms and
legs require longer incubation times of two to 18 hours for better results. No two
people or skin on different areas of the body are exactly alike. PDT requires
physician adjustments for specific individualized incubation times and treatment
durations.
After the proper incubation time, you are brought back into the light-source room where the medication is activated with a specific wavelength light
source. There may be sensations of warmth, tingling, heat, or burning in some
patients. A fan can be used to help cool off during the treatment. The treatment
area is then washed off and sunscreen applied. Instructions are given on how to
care for the skin at home.
 |
| Preparing for blue-light activation |
 |
| Using a fan to cool off during blue-light activation |
 |
| Blue-light activation |
Next: How much improvement can I expect? »
- imiquimod-topical, Aldara - Consumer information about the medication IMIQUIMOD - TOPICAL (Aldara), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug IMIQUIMOD - TOPICAL.
- Lung Cancer - Get the facts on lung cancer treatment, diagnosis, staging, causes (smoking), types (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell), prevention, symptoms, warning signs and survival rates.
- fluorouracil topical, Carac, Efudex, Fluoroplex -
Latest Medical News
Cancer RSS