From the Provider's Desk

Photodynamic Therapy for Skin Treatments

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an exciting new procedure being used by dermatologists in a wide variety of conditions for their patients – with hopefully many new uses on the horizon. While the current devices used by PDT were fully developed and refined for patients in the late 1990’s, the technology’s roots were first described at the very beginning of the 19th century. Over this period of time, PDT’s capabilities have been studied and improved and are now widely available in many dermatologists’ practices.

Briefly PDT incorporates a laser light at certain specific frequencies to activate a chemical placed on the skin called aminolevulinic acid (ALA). ALA penetrates into the deeper skin layers, yet, it only is taken up in skin cells which have disease or suffered damage. This selectivity of ALA allows dermatologists to treat only the affected areas of skin while sparing the healthy tissue.

 For now, PDT is approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of actinic keratosis, Bowen’s disease, and superficial basal cell carcinoma. As dermatologists become more comfortable with the technology they have begun to expand the “off-label” uses of PDT. Various skin conditions such as acne, photorejuvenation, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, and hidradenitis have undergone study in clinical study.  Fortunately even more uses have been proposed by physician-researchers including the treatment of psoriasis, hair loss or unwanted hair, and various types of skin cancers including malignant melanoma. While these conditions have not yet been approved for PDT research is ongoing as dermatologists further explore its uses. 

 One of the greatest draws of PDT is the scientific principles it draws from.  When compared to traditional medications, the use of light for therapy offers in principle a much better safety profile as well as potential versatility.  One example of a specific disease PDT offers an advantage is in the treatment of acne. Patient with serious acne usually have been offered antibiotics or isotretinoin in the past. Long term antibiotics use is associated with many serious side effects including the development of resistance and isotretinoin is associated with many side effects including serious birth defects in pregnant women. PDT offers both a treatment alternative for the prevention of acne and also has shown benefit in the improvement of scarring from previous disease. 

In addition to the new uses for PDT, the procedure itself is developing as improvements are suggested. New lasers, including long-pulsed dye lasers and intense-pulsed light sources, may deliver more effective therapy to the diseased areas of skin. Also, new alternatives to ALA are being tested in order to determine which activating chemical works best for each specific condition. 

PDT, especially for photorejuvenation procedures, is associated with very little down time and only occasional mild side effects. These side effects include minor swelling and redness usually resolving within three to five days.  These inconveniences can usually be overcome with the use of ice packs.

Overall, PDT offers a safe and effective treatment method for an ever expanding list of skin conditions. The procedure is easy for the doctor to administer and even easier for the patient to tolerate.  As dermatologists continue to introduce this treatment to their patients more and more will benefit from this exciting technology.

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot, Inc. - www.iHealthSpot.com