PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) is a medical treatment procedure that is used to treat a number of skin conditions. It incorporates the usage of a light source along with a photosentisizing drug. PDT is used to treat roscea these days. The redness, pustules and papules can be reduced with the help of blue or red light therapy.

Mechanism of PDT treatment

A photosensitizer is a chemical composite that can be influenced with the help of light that has a specific wavelength. This is usually done with the help of a visible or a near-infrared light. In PDT, a patient is treated with either a metabolic precursor or a photosensitizer. The tissues around the area to be treated must be exposed to light in order to excite the photosensitizer. An oxygen molecule and the photosensitizer being in proximity, there is a chance of energy transfer. This transfer can result in the relaxation of the photosensitizer. A few similar chemical reactions can kill cells through necrosis or apoptosis.

PDT is widely used for treating various types of skin diseases like precancerous lesions, photorejuvenation, discoloration, visible veins, wrinkles and acne. Depending on the case, a physician may use red light, blue light, or intense pulse light.

Advantages

PDT has several noted advantages. They have been explained as follows:

1. With PDT, there is no need for a patient to undergo a systematic treatment. The process takes place only where light is delivered.

2. PDT treatment follows a selective procedure. The photosensitizing agent works on only the cancer cells and not the surrounding tissues.

3. PDT does not cause damage to collagenous tissue structures. Normal cells can healthily repopulate on the damaged surfaces after a PDT is done.

4. PDT treatment is economical.

5. Treatment therapies like radiation therapy can only be done once. PDT can be performed again and again, depending on a specific case.

People who have a fair skin are ideal candidates for PDT. Darker skin has a tendency of getting discolored with certain light treatments. Also, people who have light-sensitive skin are not good candidates for PDT. The decisive factors of undergoing a PDT are the area where lesions are located, past treatments, overall health conditions, etc. It is better to consult a professional doctor to understand the complexities of such a procedure.

If you are suffering skin disorders like roscea, you must consider undergoing PDT treatment. St. Paul, MN has some of the best skin treatment centers.