Photodynamic Therapy in Osage Beach, MO

The first step in Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a microdermabraision treatment to prepare the skin to absorb the photosensitizer (aminolerulnic acid or ALA). Second, the ALA is applied and left on the skin, usually for 30 minutes. One of the benefits of ALA is that it only needs to be applied to the problem areas of the skin. Finally a light source, or laser is used on the skin to activate the ALA.

The light source damages or destroys the tissues that have absorbed the ALA. In some cases, AKs can be treated by a single application. Since ALA concentrates in rapidly growing and malignant cells, ALA-PDT is being studied for the treatment of superficial basal and squamous cell skin cancer.

When topical ALA-PDT was used to treat large areas of sun-damaged skin, the treatment produced cosmetic benefits. ALA-PDT helped decrease redness, reduce sun spots and freckles and it improved the overall appearance of skin including fine lines and rough skin.

When acne is treated with ALA-PDT, the ALA is absorded into the oil glands and hair follicles. When activated by the light or laser, the ALA damages the oil glands and reduces the acne bacteria. This treatment helps diminish, and in some cases completely remove, acne.