ALA-PDT is a popular winter skin treatment that combines photodynamic therapy (PDT) and vascular laser to effectively treat redness and aged, sun damaged skin. It's the go-to treatment for pre-cancerous skin lesions, so if you have sunspots (solar keratosis) this is the treatment for you. It requires very good sun protection after treatment, which is why it’s the perfect winter treatment for anyone who would like to reduce redness and improve the appearance and texture of sun damaged skin.
Should I worry about sunspots?
Sunspots, or ‘Solar Keratosis’, are extremely common in Australia and are also known as ‘actinic keratosis’ lesions, which may appear as rough red, scaly or crusty patches on the skin and are caused by excessive, long term exposure to UV radiation. People with fair skin are most commonly affected but lesions can also appear in people with darker skin. Solar Keratosis lesions are pre-cancerous, which means they have the potential to progress to a skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma. If you notice changes in the appearance of a lesion, have it checked carefully by a doctor as soon as possible.
How ALA-PDT works
ALA-PDT uses photodynamic therapy (PDT) to destroy pre-cancerous or cancerous cells and prevent them from growing or multiplying.
What does ALA-PDT it involve?
Skin is prepared for ALA-PDT with the application of a cream to the area being treated. This cream remains on the skin for three hours, which allows the affected skin to absorb the active ingredient. After three hours the cream is removed and the skin is treated with laser.
What happens after treatment? Are there any side effects?
It is common to experience a burning sensation during, or soon after, the laser treatment. This discomfort usually resolves on the day of treatment. Over the next few days the skin may become swollen and flakey. The best results are seen a few weeks after the treatment when the sun sports have come off and the skin is rejuvenated. Some patients have reported “it’s taken 10 years off my face!”
If you are interested in improving the appearance and texture of your skin and would like more information on whether ALA-PDT is the right treatment for you please contact us on 9527 4209
