Photodynamic Therapy Treatments

WHAT IS PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a type of light therapy skin treatment. It’s highly effective for certain types of skin lesions. PDT can also be used as a treatment for active acne and acne scarring.

PDT treatment is currently only available at our Cardiff Charles Street clinic with Dr Harryono Judodihardjo.

The treatment involves a three-step process to treat the affected area. It takes approximately four hours from start to finish

Step 1. Preparing the lesion and skin:
The area of skin being treated will be cleaned thoroughly and any crusting of the skin will be carefully removed.

Step 2. Gel application:
Once your skin has been cleaned, a special gel will be applied to the affected area with a wooden spatula. A clear dressing will then be applied on top of the gel. You must not remove this dressing for at least three hours; it will help the gel to be absorbed by the area of skin being treated. During this time you may leave the clinic, but you must protect your skin from very cold air or direct sunlight.

Step 3. Red light treatment:
After three hours, the doctor or nurse will take off the dressing and clean your skin again. You will then be asked to lie down on the couch ready for the red light treatment. Your eyes will be protected with eye patches and metal goggles. Once you are comfortable, a special lamp will be manoeuvred into position and switched on. Initially the lamp will be set at 100% power and if you can tolerate this setting, the treatment will only last 10 minutes for each area being treated.

If the sensation is too intense for you at 100%, you can ask the doctor or nurse to reduce the power. The machine will then automatically recalculate the amount of time needed to treat your skin with the required dosage of light.

PDT works by using a chemical to sensitise the skin towards light. The sensitised skin is then exposed to a special red light, causing chemical reactions to occur in the skin. This leads to the destruction of abnormal or damaged skin cells.

When treating acne, PDT is used to destroy some of the glands that produce oil, making the skin less oily and helping to reduce further breakouts.

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY PRICES

Prices for Photodynamic Therapy start from £700 but exact costs will be discussed at your consultation

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY FAQs

What happens after treatment?

After the treatment, you need to keep the treated area clean and dry for 24 hours and avoid applying any greasy creams. After 24 hours, gently cleanse your skin daily and apply Cetaphil cream or Vaseline ointment as a moisturiser. In some cases the skin can take up to six weeks to heal properly.

You must also protect the treated skin from sunlight for 48 hours. Your skin may feel more sensitive to light for up to seven days after the treatment.

Is this treatment right for me?

The best way to find out if this treatment is suitable for you is to book a consultation. Our experts will be able to assess your skin and determine whether PDT is the best option, or if something else might be more appropriate. This treatment is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Does the treatment hurt?

Some people find this treatment uncomfortable, but because the light intensity can be adjusted during treatment, you can find a level that is manageable for you. You may experience some soreness of the skin after treatment. If so, take paracetamol or co-codamol to manage the pain and contact your practitioner of you are concerned.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you will need depends on the skin condition being treated, amongst other factors. Your practitioner will be able to give you more detailed information about your particular case during your consultation.

Are there any side effects?

Your skin may be red and sore after treatment, a bit like sunburn. You may also find your skin is more sensitive to light. This can last for up to seven days. Rare adverse effects include eye swelling, eye pain, nausea, fatigue and pigmentation changes in the skin.

ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

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PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY