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.