Photodynamic therapy
Advanced treatment for skin lesions
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines a light-sensitive substance with targeted light to selectively eliminate damaged skin cells. The treatment is particularly suited to extensive, sun-damaged skin areas (actinic keratoses) and certain superficial skin cancers, while sparing the healthy tissue.
Unlike cryotherapy (freezing of individual lesions) or treatment with therapeutic creams, photodynamic therapy offers the advantage of being able to treat the entire affected skin surface in a single session. During the treatment, a light-sensitive substance is applied to the skin, where it accumulates in the damaged cells. The area is then exposed to a specific light source, which selectively destroys only the abnormal cells while sparing the healthy tissue.
Regular maintenance (e.g. once a year) helps to reduce new sun damage and to lower the risk of skin cancer. In addition, photodynamic therapy is also used in various countries, particularly in Asia, to improve skin quality and counteract the signs of skin ageing, thanks to its regenerative effect on the skin.