WHAT IS PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used to treat actinic keratosis, a skin condition that can become cancer. A medicated gel is applied to the affected area. The gel interacts with abnormal skin cells. A panel of red light will then be shined on the affected area for 13 minutes. The light activates the gel which selectively kills the abnormal cells. PDT is an excellent option for treating several actinic keratosis at one time and finding less obvious actinic keratosis. You will need to avoid bright lights for 48 hours after treatment.
PREPARING FOR MY TREATMENT
• Schedule your appointment at a time when you can stay indoors for 48 hours after the treatment session
• Bring protective clothing to cover the treatment area after treatment or if you leave during the incubation period (hat, scarf, mask, long sleeves etc)
• Bring headphones to listen to your favorite music or book during the treatment session
• If you will be staying in the office during the incubation period, bring a book or device. You may be sitting in the exam room for up to 2 hours.
• If you are doing "rapid" PDT (no incubation period) your provider may prescribe vitamin D to be taken for the 2 weeks prior to your treatment date.
DURING THE TREATMENT
• You will be taken back to the exam room. You will wash your face. Your skin will then be cleansed with Acetone to remove excess oil. The provider will then remove the scale of any thick skin lesions.
• A gel called Ameluz will be applied to the area. This may cause a mild burning sensation.
• If you are doing regular PDT, you will wait the appropriate time for the gel to absorb into the area, this is called the incubation time. It is important that you do not expose the area to any sunlight or bright lights during the incubation time. The incubation period will be determined by your provider and can range from 1.5 to 2 hours. Sometimes an occlusion like plastic wrap is applied to the treatment area to increase the absorption of the gel.
• After your incubation time you will be seated in an exam chair with eye protection
• A panel of red light will be placed about 10 centimeters from the treatment areas. The light will be illuminated for 13 minutes.
• You may experience a tingling, stinging, and/or burning sensation during your treatment. Patient response varies greatly from mild tingling to significant burning sensation during treatment. A fan will be directed towards the treatment area to reduce discomfort.
AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
• REMEMBER: Avoid sunlight or bright lights for the first 48 hours after treatment
• The gel will continue to interact with any bright lights for 48 hours after treatment.
• Any exposure to bright lights will delay your recovery time and increase redness and swelling.
• Stay inside for 48 hours and avoid bright windows. Try and keep lights low in the house.
• It is ok to use screens in the first 48 hours (computers, phones and ipads)
• You may experience the following side effects after your treatment:
• Burning, stinging, which could last up to 24 hours after treatment.
• Redness and swelling, which may last up to 1 week
• Scaling , crusting and peeling, which may last up to 1-2 weeks.
• You can apply a cool emollient for the first 48 hours after treatment. We recommend putting Aquaphor, Vaseline or CeraVe Healing Ointment in the refrigerator and apply to the skin as needed. Ointments are more soothing to the skin than creams for the first 48 hours.
• After the first 48 hours you can return to your normal daily activity. Apply a good sunscreen to the affected area.
FOLLOW UP
• Schedule a follow-up with your medical provider 6 weeks after treatment. PDT is highly effective but unresponsive spots may need to be treated with liquid nitrogen or biopsied.
• Some patients will need to repeat photodynamic therapy annually or treat different body locations. Although PDT is highly effective, it only treats active lesions. Generally, the treatment is more comfortable when done routinely and is a great method to prevent future skin cancers.
WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND WANT YOUR SKIN TO BE HEALTHY! PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM FUTURE SUN DAMAGE.