June 5, 2003 – New York, NY. PhotoDynamic
Therapy (or PDT) for treating aging and sun damaged skin is emerging as a powerful
new tool to boost the clinical results of non-ablative laser and/or light therapy,
according to Tina Alster, MD., a dermatologic laser surgeon in Washington, DC.
Speaking today at the Beauty and Medicine: Transforming
the Landscape of Dermatologic Surgery press briefing, Dr. Alster told reporters
here that applying a light-sensitizing solution to skin marred by scaly lesions,
skin blotchiness and enlarged pores prior to delivery of light treatment appears
to enhance cosmetic rejuvenation by improving skin tone, skin texture and pore
size.
“My patients have been thrilled with the clinical
‘boost’ they receive with the addition of PDT to their non-ablative laser or
light treatment because of its no downtime nature, high safety profile and ability
to treat the entire anatomic area,” said Dr. Alster. “In fact, using PDT as
an adjunct to laser/light therapy often means fewer treatment sessions may be
necessary in order to achieve the desired cosmetic results,” she added.
PDT in combination with laser/light treatments
was discovered by dermatologic surgeons who observed its cosmetic effects on
the skin’s appearance while treating patients for actinic keratoses and actinic
cheilitis (chronic chapped lips), two pre-cancerous skin conditions associated
with chronic exposure to sunlight. Cosmetic skin surgery experts are also investigating
the clinical benefits of PDT and light therapy for sebaceous conditions like
inflammatory acne and rosacea.
Various laser and light sources are currently
being used to activate the solution, including pulsed dye lasers and intense
pulsed light platforms. “We select the laser or light source that is best suited
to the patient’s primary indication, skin type and target body site,” explained
Dr. Alster, who is a spokesperson on laser technologies for the American Society
for Dermatologic Surgery. “The beauty of utilizing PhotoDynamic Therapy for
our patients is greater improvement in skin rejuvenation plus the synergistic
benefits of controlling acne, clearing actinic keratoses and possibly preventing
skin cancer all in one procedure.”
Dr. Alster noted that “it is imperative to warn
patients to be extremely careful of sun exposure for at least after treatment
when the PDT drug is active. Also, she cautioned that there can be some mild
redness and peeling for about one or two days following treatment.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery was founded in 1970 to promote
excellence in the subspecialty of dermatologic surgery and to foster the highest
standards of patient care. With more than 3,500 members, the ASDS is the nation’s
primary resource and advocate for education, research and patient safety related
to therapeutic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the skin.
For more information on skin rejuvenation and
nonablative laser treatment, along with referrals to board-certified dermatology
specialists in specific geographic locations, please contact the ASDS consumer
hotline, 1-800-441-ASDS (2737) during weekday business hours, or visit its web
site at www.aboutskinsurgery
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