Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a two-step (drug + Blu-light) treatment designed to treat actinic keratoses. Actinics are precancerous lesions that if left untreated, may become skin cancer. The first part of the treatment is the application of Levulan Kerastick solution to individual actinics 15-18 hours later, you will return to the office for the light treatment. Most patients schedule a 4:30 appointment with Dr. Orton for application of this solution and return the next morning at 9:00 for the Blu-light treatment given by one of Dr. Orton’s medical staff.

You should not have this treatment if you have a skin sensitivity to Blu-light, porphyrias, allergies to chemicals called porphrins, or are pregnant or nursing. You should discuss the possibility of increased sensitivity to light while using this therapy if you are on certain medications such as thiazides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, griseofulvin, phenothiazines, sulfonylureas, or sulfonamides.

Between the time of application of the solution and Blu-light treatment, your actinics will become photosensitive for about 40 hours. Care must be taken to keep the areas being treated protected from bright light. Bright light includes but is not limited to outdoor sunlight, bright indoor lights at close range, examination lights and tanning beds. You should wear protective head gear, such as a wide brimmed hat and a lightweight scarf around your face to provide shade to the areas that are being treated. Should you begin to feel burning and/or stinging before the treatment with Blu-light, you must reduce the light intensity or apply additional light-protective head gear. Contact Centennial Cosmetic Surgery Center to learn more about Photodynamic Therapy.