Photodynamic Therapy for Acne Scars
Living with acne scars is never easy. It can knock a dent in your self-confidence and make you feel unattractive. But you don't have to live with them forever. Numerous cosmetic procedures are available to reduce the look of acne scars and improve your skin's texture and appearance, one of which is photodynamic therapy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Definition
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Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, is a type of cosmetic treatment used to burn off the top layer of skin to reveal the healthier, smoother skin beneath. It's used for all different types of skin conditions including acne, acne scars, wrinkles, sun damage and skin cancer and pre-cancer. It can also reduce the size of the oil glands, reducing the number of new acne blemishes you will encounter.
Before The Procedure
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Most photodynamic therapy sessions start with a mild microdermabrasion to make the skin more pliable and receptive to the treatment. Then your doctor or technician will apply a cream that contains aminolevulinic acid to your face. This cream will set for up to an hour to make the skin much more sensitive to light, thus more receptive to the laser treatment.
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What To Expect
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Once the cream as been allowed to set for a sufficient period of time, your doctor will apply a light to your face--usually just a small area at a time. The light is typically red or blue and focuses on the treatment area. The light may pulse or be a laser, depending on the type of therapy used.
Following The Procedure
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After undergoing photodynamic therapy, it's normal to experience slight tenderness in the treatment area. Any acne you have in the area will likely worsen for a day or two before clearing up. Since your skin will be abnormally sensitive to light, you'll need to stay out of the sun and away from the glow of TVs and computer monitors to be on the safe side. You usually need several PDT treatments to improve the appearance of acne scars.
Precautions
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Though most people experience little or no negative effects with photodynamic therapy, there are a few things you need to be aware of. For instance, since your skin is made especially sensitive to light following treatment, you'll need to make it a habit to wear sunscreen whenever you go outside. If skin irritation, like redness, tightness or peeling develops, notify your dermatologist immediately. Likewise, in some cases, photodynamic therapy can make your skin tone uneven.
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