Photodynamic Therapy, also known as the Photo Peel, is a gentle, non-invasive treatment directed at improving skin appearance.

It’s major applications are:

• Aged, mature skin with fine and deeper lines, enlarged pores, pigmentation and motility.
• Rosacea, by itself or in combination with aged/mature skin.
• Acne, moderate to severe, partially controlled or non-responsive to topical therapies.
• Actinic Keratosis.

Treatment consists of a precise protocol that includes incubation of a photosensitizing agent, aminolevulinic acid (ALA), for about one hour followed by activation with intense pulse light (IPL). Treatment results can be augmented with micro-dermabasion and laser treatments done at each session.

Immediately post procedure, the area may show some redness and swelling and patient may feel burning and tingling, which can be relieved by application of ice packs and moisturizing, repairing creams. Post procedure pain is minimal, but flushing of the skin and peeling are expected and can last up to one week. Also, sun-spots and freckles will become temporarily darker, which will resolve in 2 weeks with mild peeling or flaking, revealing a lighter skin. Occasionally, some patients may have an exuberant response to treatment with marked redness, temporary swelling of the lips and around the eyes, which will resolve in a few days.

Treatment Results.
After each session, the patient will experience some improvement in skin tone and texture, decrease in overall redness and flushing in rosacea patients, fading of sunspots, shrinking of pores, gradual decrease of fine lines and wrinkles as new collagen forms within the dermis. Acne patients will experience fewer lesions, dryer skin and scars will be smoother, lighter and less visible with each treatment.

Number of Treatments
The number of treatments varies from patient to patient and with the severity and type of condition. Generally, we have seen that 3-4 treatments are required by most patients, at 3-5 weeks interval. Re-evaluation is key at each clinical visit, and will determine necessity of additional treatments. Maintenance therapy may be required on a yearly basis.

Post Treatment Restrictions
Normal activities can be resumed immediately after treatment.
Very important – patient must avoid direct or reflected daylight for 48 hours after peels as the therapy has rendered them photo-sensitive (not just ultra-violet sensitive). If not strictly followed, hyper-pigmentation and burning is likely to occur. Direct sunlight should be avoided for up to 2 weeks and an SPF of minimum 30 should be used daily for 4 months.

Skin may feel dry and tight as of day 2-3 post procedure and a good moisturizer should be applied daily.

Post procedure maintenance
Topical products are required to maintain and prolong the results.

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