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Photodynamic Therapy for Acne

Latest update: November 26, 2024
Medically reviewed by: Jennifer Trent MD, FAAD

Request personalized price quotes for Photodynamic Therapy for Acne from local clinics before booking your first consultation

  1. No personal details needed
  2. Takes less than 15 minutes
Acne can be treated using various light therapy treatments. They can target the affected area and help heal and soothe the skin. 

Photodynamic Therapy fuses a photosensitizer solution with light energy to treat severe acne. Photosensitizers are topical creams. These are applied to the affected area and activated when in contact with the light source. They create a chemical reaction that produces oxygen. This oxygen kills acne-causing bacteria and fungi. Many patients with severe acne find it challenging to clear up their skin despite trying several treatments.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an alternative to the medication Accutane, which effectively treats cystic acne but has many side effects. PDT requires no anesthetic. It causes minimal discomfort but requires a downtime of up to one week.

After PDT, the skin becomes more sensitive to sun exposure. It requires diligent sun protection with daily sunscreen application and sun avoidance immediately after treatment. 

After the first session, breakouts will reduce. The total effect of the treatment will be most visible after 2-3 treatments with 4-6 week intervals between each session. LED Light Therapy is another option to treat acne. The LED light targets the skin with different wavelengths focusing on various skin issues. 

This treatment is very gentle. It is suitable for any skin type and doesn’t cause any significant side effects to the skin.

Providers may add many colored lights such as green and yellow in one session. The most common colors in LED Light Therapy for acne treatment are red and blue. These lights are 
effective for treating acne. They promote collagen production for skin rejuvenation, kill bacteria, and calm redness. The treatment is pain-free, with no anesthetic needed.

A session lasts for 30 minutes with no downtime required. Patients need a total of 6-8 sessions for optimal results.
Anesthesia
n/a
Operation Time
1-3
Inpatient Period
n/a
Number of Appointments
1-3
Recovery Period
1 week
Invasiveness
no

Photodynamic Laser treatment

Dr. Davin Lim, from Brisbane, Australia, shows us how the Kleresca device works and explains the benefits of this LED light harnessing technology. He explains the advantages of the treatment over alternatives. He demonstrates the processes on a patient with acne and runs through the steps from beginning to end. Dr. Lim starts by mixing the photoconverter gel and applying it to the areas that are going to be treated. The patient describes his experience of the treatment. Will the before and after pictures prove that the technology works?

Photodynamic Therapy Treatment For Acne

This video from Ringfeil Advanced Dermatology runs through the progress made on Photodynamic Therapy in the treatment of acne. It makes the argument that this therapy can replace long-term use of antibiotics for acne treatment. Before and after pictures show the effectiveness of the treatment. Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil goes through the processes involved with this treatment, including information about aftercare. Will the advantages win you over?