When light of a certain wavelength (usually red light) shines on to the skin to which the photosensitiser was applied before, the photosensitiser is activated. The oxygen that is released by this activation kills the abnormal cells in the area that is being treated. Only the area of skin exposed to the light source will be affected and inflamed. After the inflammation settles over a few weeks, the area will clear and the lesion will have been treated.
What are the benefits of photodynamic therapy?
It is used where surgery or other forms of treatment may not be appropriate. For example, if the basal cell carcinomas are very large where surgery would be difficult or on the lower leg where skin healing is often delayed. It is also a good option where there are multiple lesions over a larger patch of skin.
Who is photodynamic therapy suitable for?
PDT can be used to treat various skin conditions including:
- Some types of basal cell carcinomas.
- Bowen’s disease (in situ squamous cell carcinoma), a pre-cancer.
- Actinic (solar) keratoses – early sun damage, a pre-cancer.
The below reasons might prevent you from having photodynamic therapy:
- PDT is not recommended if you are pregnant.
- The PDT cream may contain peanut oil, so tell your doctor and nurse if you are allergic to peanuts.
- PDT is not recommended if you have porphyria (a light-sensitive disorder, where the patient is producing the same photosensitiser used in PDT and is present in the blood, skin and other tissues of the body).
What is the process of photodynamic therapy?
The cream is then wiped off on your return 3 hours later and the area cleaned. A bright coloured light is then shone onto the treatment area for approximately 10 to 45 minutes (the precise time will be determined by your doctor or nurse depending on the light source).
Photodynamic Therapy
What are the risks and complications of PDT?
The short-term side effects of phototherapy include:
- Pain. When the red light is shone onto the skin, the treated area may hurt. If it is too uncomfortable, your doctor or nurse may suggest pausing treatment for a while, or a local anaesthetic injection may be recommended. After completion of treatment, discomfort and itching may last for a few days and may require painkillers.
- Inflammation. The treated area may initially become pink and puffy, and may ooze a little: this is a normal reaction. It settles within a few days.
- Blistering and ulceration. The treated area may occasionally blister or ulcerate.
- Infection. If the treated area becomes red, swollen and painful, an infection may have developed, and you should contact your doctor.
Potential long-term side effects of phototherapy include:
- Scarring. There may be some scarring after PDT.
- Colour change. The skin may become darker or paler after PDT.
- Treatment may not be effective, or the condition may come back again. If this happens, you may be offered further PDT or an alternative type of treatment may be recommended.
What is the recovery time and outcome for PDT?
Further reading: Patient leaflet from the British Association of Dermatologists
Related Specialists at Derma
Your consultation
Your consultation is with a consultant dermatologist, who will diagnose your condition and plan your treatment.
Dr Charles Archer
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Special interests in skin cancer, lasers and complex medical dermatology.
Dr Sanju Arianayagam
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Leads the specialist photosensitivity clinic in Oxford.
Dr Rima Clayton
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologyPaediatric dermatologySkin surgery
Founder of Derma Reading, seeing adults and children, with a particular interest in skin cancer and skin surgery.
Dr Rachel Fisher
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interests in skin cancer and vulval dermatology, and clinical lead for dermatology in Reading and West Berkshire.
Dr Sabrina Khan
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interest in vulval dermatology, and lead for the Oxford NHS vulval service.
Dr Inge Kreuser-Genis
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologyPaediatric dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interests in paediatric and vulval dermatology.
Dr Antonia Lloyd-Lavery
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatology
Specialist interests in severe eczema and psoriasis, autoimmune blistering diseases and connective tissue diseases.
Professor Rubeta Matin
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatology
Specialist interests in skin cancer and moles, skin disease in transplant and immunosuppressed patients, and cutaneous lymphoma.
Dr John Reed
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Specialist interest in urticaria, angioedema and allergy.
Dr Isabelle Vandormael
Consultant Dermatologist
General dermatologySkin surgery
Particular interest in lasers and cosmetic dermatology.
Your treatment
Your treatment sessions are carried out by our nursing team.
Diane Murphy
Nurse Team Leader
Leads our nursing team, making sure every patient receives safe, high-quality care.
Sarah Peett
Senior Dermatology Nurse
Specialist dermatology nurse with a background in surgical, medical and midwifery care.
Aleesa Dela Vega
Dermatology Nurse
Dermatology nurse with experience in respiratory and intensive care, known for her caring approach.
Roberta Cattolico
Dermatology Nurse
Works alongside our consultants in clinic, with a focus on patch testing and phototherapy.
Sandra Marcikic
Healthcare Assistant
Supports our patients and clinicians in clinic, drawing on her medical background.