Light treatment for skin damage in Colac, Waurn Ponds, and St Albans
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive light treatment which is used to treat a range of skin conditions and skin cancer with minimal side effects and down time for the patient. We provide light treatment services for patients with skin damage at our Colac, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, and St Albans locations.
What conditions are treated with PDT?
- Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ or Bowen’s Disease
- Actinic Keratoses (AK) – individual lesions or over an area of abnormal skin
- Actinic cheilitis (precancerous change of lower lip)
- Sun damaged skin for purposes of rejuvenation
- Acne and rosacea
How PDT works
ALA, a natural occurring substance in cream form is applied to the area being treated. This area is covered with a dressing and left to incubate. Once the incubation period is up, the skin is exposed to the LED light source for a period of time, the photosensitive drug ALA starts to react by destroying damaged and cancerous cells leaving normal skin tissue unaffected.
What happens after treatment?
It is essential to stay out of the sun for the remainder of the day of treatment and for the next 48 hours as the area will be particularly sensitive to sun light as well as other bright house lights, shopping centre lights and light coming through windows.
Due to the photosensitivity of the drug used, patients may feel sunburnt and occasionally swollen after the treatment. Depending on the extent of PDT and the severity of the treated condition, this usually subsides within 7-10 days.
Peeling and redness usually occurs for 3-6 days after treatment. Itchiness, scabbing, tenderness and flaking are all normal and common during this time.
After 6-9 days, redness will start to lessen, skin may feel tight but it is returning to normal. You will receive a PDT aftercare sheet with instructions on how to care for your skin after the light therapy.
SLIP on a shirt. SLOP on sunscreen. SLAP on a hat. SEEK shade. SLIDE on sunglasses.
Some forms of skin damage can also be treated and managed with injectables and laser treatment.
