If you have ever wanted to amplify the results of a cosmetic skin treatment, you may be a good candidate for photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT was originally developed as a medical treatment to destroy abnormal or pre-cancerous skin cells. While it is still used for this purpose, doctors and patients quickly recognized that it also improved the appearance of the skin. Now, leading cosmetic centers like Facial Aesthetic Concepts in Orange County offer this special treatment to our appreciative patients. 

The Benefits of Photodynamic Therapy

PDT makes aesthetic improvements to skin that has been damaged by the sun or is prone to acne. It is especially useful at creating an even pigmentation by minimizing brown (or other colored) sunspots. Many patients also see improvements to the texture of their skin thanks to a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines.

Furthermore, even if you are not actively concerned about pre-cancerous cells on your damaged skin, this treatment may help to kill problematic cells that you may be unaware of.

How PDT Works

To begin, the professionals at Facial Aesthetic Concepts apply Levulan, an FDA-approved prescription medicine, directly to the skin on the treatment areas. Levulan makes the skin more sensitive to light and laser energy so that it produces even better results than you could expect otherwise.

Patients will have red, peeling and/or irritated skin for a week or two following PDT treatment. It is important to wear sunscreen and avoid the sun during recovery to avoid complications while the skin is healing.

Combining PDT with Other Cosmetic Treatments

When used for aesthetic purposes, PDT is usually combined with other skin rejuvenation treatments. One of our more popular pairings is PDT with IPL (intense pulsed light), which is sometimes known as a photofacial. The addition of PDT can help some patients to achieve great results in a single session rather than three or more sessions (as is usually recommended). Patients like IPL for correcting hyperpigmentation, fine lines, rosacea and visible veins.

Another common combination is PDT with BLU-U. BLU-U is blue light treatment that attacks bacteria inside the pores to reduce the likelihood of acne breakouts. Although BLU-U is safe for use every week, many patients save time and see better results when they combine it with photodynamic therapy.

Schedule a Consultation

PDT may be able to help you attain acne-free skin with an even texture or tone, especially if you want to see more advanced results from a single session. To find out if photodynamic therapy is a good choice for your skin, please schedule a free consultation with the expert aestheticians at Facial Aesthetic Concepts by calling (949) 564-4558.