What is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a newer procedure done to treat skin conditions, such as age spots, rosacea and acne. This is a non-invasive treatment that uses a photosensitizing solution called Levulan® Kerastick® and a light source to precisely target damaged areas of skin tissue while leaving surrounding healthy tissue intact.
What are the benefits of Photodynamic Therapy?
These treatments remove sun damaged pre-cancerous zones, and help reverse sun damage, fine lines, and blotchy pigmentation. Patients also often experience minimized pores, reduced oil glands, bacteria reduction and improvement in the appearance of some acne scars.
Photodynamic therapy is much less damaging to the skin because of its ability to target specific areas of skin. It also provides the following benefits:
- No downtime
- FDA approved to treat certain skin conditions, such as keratosis
- Effective treatment for skin cancer
Is Photodynamic Therapy Right for Me?
If you are dealing with skin conditions such as skin cancers, rosacea, more severe acne or other similar issues, photodynamic therapy may be right for you. We recommend you schedule a consultation with Dr. Schwartz to evaluate your skin and determine if photodynamic therapy or another MedSpa treatment is the best option to treat your condition.
How is Photodynamic Therapy Performed?
With photodynamic therapy, the skin is cleansed to remove any dirt and bacteria and to prepare it for the treatment. The solution is then applied to the skin and allowed to be absorbed by the skin which typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Following that, a light source, such as IPL® or laser is applied.
What is the recovery with Photodynamic Therapy?
The recovery is similar to other facial treatments where the damaged skin flakes away. With photodynamic therapy, it is very important to stay out of the sun for the first 48 hours as the skin is extremely sensitive and may have a severe reaction. Most patients return to their normal activities within a couple of days. The number of treatments necessary depends on the condition being treated and are scheduled several weeks apart.
How Much Does Photodynamic Therapy Cost in Pasadena, CA?
The cost of photodynamic therapy varies with each patient depending on the condition being treated, type of solution used and how many treatments are necessary for the condition. We can go over the costs, as well as our payment and financing options through Alphaeon Credit, Prosper® Healthcare Lending and CareCredit® to make more procedures available to more patients.
What Do I Do Next?
The first step in receiving photodynamic therapy treatments is to schedule a consultation with Skin Deep Laser Med Spa so that we can evaluate your skin and its condition, as well as your medical history and current health. During this appointment, we can answer any questions or concerns you have regarding your condition and desired treatment.
