Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment for sun-damaged skin and for precancerous spots called actinic keratoses. Sage Dermatology offers PDT at our dermatologist-led clinic at Yonge and Wellesley in downtown Toronto.
How photodynamic therapy works
A light-sensitive solution is applied to the skin and left to absorb. It collects in abnormal, sun-damaged cells. The area is then exposed to a specific light, which activates the solution and destroys those cells while leaving most surrounding skin intact. Because a whole area is treated at once, PDT also finds and treats damage that is not yet visible.
What we treat
- Actinic keratoses. Rough, scaly patches caused by years of sun exposure. They are precancerous, and treating them lowers the chance that they progress. PDT is useful when there are many patches across the face, scalp or other sun-exposed areas, where treating them one at a time would be impractical.
- Sun damage. Uneven texture, roughness and sun-related changes in the skin.
- Acne. PDT can be used for selected acne, and the dermatologist decides at consultation whether it suits you.
An assessment comes first. A spot that looks suspicious for skin cancer needs a diagnosis, and sometimes a biopsy, before any treatment is chosen. Our skin cancer page explains how we assess concerning lesions.
What to expect
The solution is applied and left on for a period that depends on the condition and the area. The light treatment follows. Most people feel warmth, tingling or stinging during the light, which is usually tolerable and settles when the light stops. The whole visit takes between about 15 minutes and an hour or more, depending on the area and the preparation.
Recovery
Expect redness, swelling and a sunburn-like feeling, followed by peeling or flaking, over the following days to about two weeks. Treated skin is very sensitive to light afterward, so you need to avoid direct sun and bright light for the period your care team gives you, and wear sun protection after that. Plan the visit around that: it is best done at a time when you can stay mostly indoors for the first few days.
How many treatments
It depends on the condition and how much skin is involved. Some people need one session, and others need a series. The dermatologist explains the plan at your consultation.
Cost
Fees depend on the area treated and the number of sessions, and are confirmed at your consultation before treatment. We provide an itemized receipt for extended health plans and health spending accounts.
Booking
Call 416.792.0159 or email info@sagedermatology.ca. Sage Dermatology is at 591 Yonge Street, Units 202 and 203, steps from Wellesley subway station, with underground parking on Gloucester Street.