Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment performed with a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan (5-aminolevulinic acid or ALA) activated with the correct wavelength of light. These treatments remove sun damaged pre-cancerous zones and spots called actinic keratoses.
To achieve maximum improvement of pre-cancerous (actinic keratoses) sun damage, a series of 2-3 treatments 8 weeks apart is most effective.
Following PDT, the treated areas can appear red and swollen with some peeling for 2-7 days. Some patients have an exuberant response to PDT, and experience marked redness of their skin. Temporary swelling of the lips and tissue around your eyes can occur for a few days. Darker pigmented patches called liver spots can become temporarily darker and then peel off leaving normal skin. (This usually occurs over seven to ten days).
ALA (Levulan) is active for 48 hours so you must stay inside for two days following treatment. This is an important consideration in scheduling your treatment.
