How to Treat Sun Damage With Photodynamic Therapy

Sun damage is inevitable to most adults, whether it occurred as a child, via tanning beds as a young adult, or through relaxed sun protection as an adult. The downside is that sun damage is cumulative, with 47% of sun damage occurring by the age of 40. On top of that, an estimated 80% of skin aging is caused by sun damage.

The upside is that there is treatment to help with sun damage, and that is photodynamic therapy (PDT) offered here in Pittsburgh at Prizant Dermatology.

What Is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)?

Generally speaking, PDT is a two-stage treatment that uses a specific light energy combined with a medicine called a photosensitizer. The photosensitizer is harmless until it is combined with the light and can then kill cancerous and precancerous cells. Think of it as a type of laser.

PDT is currently used to treat multiple types of cancer, bacterial, fungal and viral infections, as well as certain skin diseases. One of those skin diseases is called actinic keratosis (AK), a precancerous skin change.

What Is Actinic Keratosis (AK)?

AK is a common precancerous skin condition that results from long-term indoor tanning or exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Approximately 58 million Americans have one or more actinic keratoses (the plural name), which shows how much our country enjoys the sun.

AK have a scaly texture, can be raised, and can be red, light or dark tan, white, pink or flesh-toned in color, so it is easier sometimes to feel it than to see it. Lesions will appear in areas that are the most sun exposed, such as the face, lips, ears, shoulders, neck, back of hands and forearms. If you have one AK, the likelihood of getting more is high.

Does Precancer Mean Cancer?

While AK are precancerous lesions, only 5-10% of them will lead to skin cancer, most commonly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While this percentage is fairly low, it is important to speak with your dermatologist to treat your AK before it may develop into something more invasive and dangerous.

How PDT Works

The PDT process begins by applying the photosensitizing agent on the affected areas of the skin. After that is the incubation period. This is the period of time required to let the agent work on your skin and fully absorb. The length of the incubation period is patient specific, depending on the severity or number of AK lesions. Once the incubation period is complete, you will be set in front of a florescent lamp to activate the photosensitizing agent.

During this time, it is normal to experience a tingling or mild burning sensation as the light kills the abnormal cells in the lesion. If the side effects become unbearable, Dr. Prizant can pause the light for a few minutes before continuing, which won’t affect the results. The entire procedure should last less than a couple of hours, at most. Depending on the severity or number of AKs, multiple treatments may be necessary.

Before and After the Procedure

Before your procedure, Dr. Prizant, or one of her staff, will meet with you and discuss your medical history and perform a physical exam. If you are pregnant or have used the drug isotretinoin (formerly known as Accutane) for acne in the past six months, you would not be a candidate.

Once your PDT is complete, recovery time is minimal. The treated skin areas will appear red and have flaking or peeling, similar to a mild sunburn. It is crucial to keep that area covered from sunlight (and bright indoor lights) for 48 hours after the procedure.

How Can I Prevent Further AK Lesions?

The only way to prevent future AK lesions is sun protection. This includes applying broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day – even during cloudy, rainy or winter weather! While the UV levels are lower in winter as the early tilts away from the sun, UV rays are invisible and are still causing damage. This is even more crucial for snow sport lovers, as UV levels increase by about 6% for every altitude increase of 1,000 feet. Here are some tips to use:

• Generally, mineral sunscreens (those that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are better than chemical sunscreens as mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, reducing the amount of chemicals absorbed by the skin. Most importantly, the correct amount of sunscreen should be used and reapplied at regular intervals.
• Investing in UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing is a great idea. UPF 50+ will block 98% of sun rays, which reduces one’s sun exposure greatly.
• Protect your eyes with sunglasses with a UV rating of 400 or greater, or that says “100% UV protection.”
• Wear a broad-rimmed hat to protect your scalp (yes, even your part!) face and neck.
• Lastly, limit your time in the sun between 10am and 2pm, when the sun’s rays are the most intense.

Find Out More About Treating Sun Damage With PDT in Pittsburgh

Experiencing sun damage is a given for most of us, but we don’t have to deal with the sun damage alone. If you experience actinic keratosis, relief is possible. Photodynamic therapy is a safe and effective option to treat those scaly spots, reduce your risk of skin cancer and prevent you from getting more lesions.

Very little preparation or downtime is required to receive PDT, so contact Dr. Prizant and her staff to learn more about if you are a candidate, and if so, when you can get your treatment scheduled.

In the meantime, sun safety is always a necessity. The best tips are to use a broad-spectrum mineral-based sunscreen, stay out of the sun during peak hours and protect your sensitive eyes with sunglasses. While you’re on the phone with Dr. Prizant’s staff, make sure to schedule yourself for your full-body skin check too. Your skin will thank you!