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Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

PDT is a treatment for multiple actinic keratoses  and superficial BCC on the face, chest or hands.

After years of sun exposure, many New Zealanders develop pre-cancerous skin lesions called solar keratoses (also called actinic keratoses). These appear as thickened, scaley areas on the skin, especially on the backs of hands and face. They are more common on fair skinned people or those who have spent long periods outside. Solar keratoses themselves are not life-threatening, but they can develop into a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, which can be dangerous. People with solar keratoses should visit their doctor regularly for check ups, as they are also at greater risk for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Photodynamic therapy or PDT is a treatment for multiple solar keratoses on the face, chest or hands. A liquid called ALA (aminolaevulinic acid) that binds to rapidly dividing cells is applied to the skin. The solar keratoses take up the ALA which is then activated by light to turn into a toxic substance which kills abnormally growing cells. Even pre-cancerous cells invisible to the naked eye are treated.

At Palm Clinic we use the Intense Pulsed Light or IPL laser to activate the ALA liquid. IPL treatments improve the appearance of sun damaged skin by reducing red veins and age spots while the ALA treats the pre-cancerous cells

Research on PDT shows 68% of lesions resolved after one PDT treatment and 86% after two. It is considered to be as effective and well tolerated as 3 weeks of twice daily topical 5-fluoro-uracil cream and gives a superior cosmetic result to burning lesions off with liquid nitrogen.

PDT treatments take 2 hours. You may feel some prickling or tingling of the skin during treatment. You must stay out of sun and bright light as much as possible for 72 hours after treatment. Your face will look red for up to 24 hours after treatment. The areas of abnormal cells then show up as reddish-brown areas which will scab over and heal over the next 1-2 weeks. Depending on your skin’s natural healing speed, it can take up to 6 weeks for your skin to restore itself completely.

If you would like to discuss PDT treatments call Palm Clinic to make an appointment with one of our doctors.