Photodynamic Therapy (cont.)
In this Article
How much improvement can I expect?
No two individuals are the same, and
results may vary. Some conditions can improve dramatically in some patients and
not respond in others.
Overall, patients with severely sun-damaged skin with
actinic keratosis, texture, and tone changes including mottled pigmentation,
dull or sallow skin, and skin laxity may see good to excellent improvement with
PDT. There can be improvement of large pores, non-pitted acne scars, and active
acne.
Depending on the area being treated and the recommended incubation time,
different numbers of treatment sessions spaced four to six weeks apart may be required
to achieve the desired improvement and reduction in lesions. On average, a
series of two to three treatments are performed. It is not always possible to predict
ahead of time how many treatments your specific condition may take or how you
will respond to PDT.
Photodynamic therapy requires staying out of the sun for 24-48 hours
depending on the area treated.
Where can I have photodynamic therapy, and who performs the procedure?
Photodynamic therapy for skin therapy is usually comfortably performed in an
outpatient setting like a doctor's office and without any sedation or
anesthesia. You may check the www.AAD.org for board-certified dermatologist
members of the American Board of Dermatology in your area or www.ASPDT.org for
members of the American Society of Photodynamic Therapy. Additionally,
oncologists and other physicians may be trained in this area.
Most skin PDT is performed only by
specially trained dermatologists and their medical staff. Other physicians,
including oncologists, family physicians, internal medicine doctors, plastic
surgeons, or ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons and their medical staff who are
trained, may also perform photodynamic therapy. While it is generally
advisable to undergo this or any medical treatment in an established
board-certified physician's office, there are medical spa-type environments that
may also offer these skin services with or without physician supervision.
Next: What are the advantages with photodynamic therapy for treating skin
precancers? »
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