What is Photodynamic Therapy?

By Nasrin Mani, M.D.

One of the best acne treatments available right now is called photodynamic therapy, or PDT. For patients with severe, resistant or cystic acne, PDT can literally be a life-changing solution, leaving them with healthy, clear skin.

Basically, PDT is a treatment that focuses only on skin cells damaged by acne and disintegrates them. It also kills the under-skin bacteria that causes acne and disables the glands that secrete acne-producing oils.

In short, PDT allows for the destruction of selective skin tissue, while leaving the skin cells around the targeted area untouched.

There are two key steps to the photodynamic therapy process:

1. A topical solution is placed on the skin. The acne-damaged cells then absorb the solution.
2. An IPL (a blue-light source) targets the affected areas, activating the solution and destroying the damaged cells and underlying bacteria.

Other uses of PDT include:

• Rosacea treatment
• General skin rejuvenation
• Actinic Keratosis
• Pore reduction
• Removal of pre-cancer cells (and some early-stage cancer cells)

If you suffer from acne that topical solutions just won’t help, you may want to discuss PDT with our experienced medical team at La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic. Please contact is at 800-515-7753. We are located in La Jolla in southern California.