Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

In photodynamic therapy, 2 individually non-toxic components are brought together to cause harmful effects on cells and tissues.
1) Photosensitizing agent
2) Light of specific wavelength

The photosensitizer is binding to specific dysplastic cells and is activated by the laser light (activation of the photosensitizers is dependent on special wavelengths). This causes the photosensitizer to damage and kill the tissues exposed to the light.

Actually there is a lot of research done in this field because of the very promising results.

The most important sensitizer in dermatology is 5-ALA (5-Aminolaevulinic Acid):

• It is accumulated specifically in tumor cells
• Penetration depth only 2 mm
• It is used in treatment of actinic keratosis, basalioma, severe acne, warts, herpes, ucers (diabetes), psoriasis and newly also in cosmetics  (photoablation for skin regeneration)

Pic 1: Ulcerated basal cell carcinoma before treatment

Pic 2: Result after 3 treatments