Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is also called photoradiation therapy, phototherapy, or photochemotherapy. It involves using drugs, called photosensitizing agents, along with light to kill cancer cells. The drugs only work after they have been activated by certain kinds of light.
Depending on the part of the body being treated, the photosensitizing agent is either injected into the bloodstream or applied to the skin. After the drug is absorbed by the cancer cells a light source is applied only to the area to be treated. The light causes the drug to react with oxygen, which forms a chemical that kills the cancer cells. PDT may also work by destroying the blood vessels that feed the cancer cells and by alerting the immune system to attack the cancer.
The period of time between when the drug is given and the light is applied is called the drug-to-light interval. It can be anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days and depends on the drug used.
Studies have shown that PDT can work as well as surgery or radiation therapy in treating certain kinds of cancers and pre-cancerous conditions. It may have some advantages, such as:
It has no long-term side effects when used properly.
It is less invasive than surgery.
It can be targeted very precisely.
Unlike radiation, it can be repeated several times at the same site if necessary.
There is little or no scarring after the site heals.
Photodynamic Acne Therapy has become the gold standard of treating teenage, adult and cystic acne. It painlessly and safely clears up acne, eliminating the need for potentially dangerous acne medications.
Acne is a common, chronic disease that is the result of multiple factors. The main causes include overproduction of sebum or oil by overactive sebaceous glands in the skin, as well as an overgrowth of microbacteria, which results in infection and inflammation of the backed up oil gland, that at times can rupture deep in the skin resulting in scarring.
PDT utilizes Levulan, a potent photosensitizer that when activated by exposure to certain controlled wavelengths of light, shuts down the overactive sebaceous glands and eliminates bacterial overgrowth from the skin.
A typical PDT Acne Therapy starts with a thorough degreasing dermabrasion. This helps unclog pores, exfoliating the surface of the skin to prepare it for the application and absorption of Levulan into the abundant overactive sebaceous glands and skin bacteria. Levulan, a non-toxic clear liquid is then applied and left on for 45 - 60 minutes. After this incubation period a special wavelength light is then used to activate the Levulan in a controlled fashion, thereby destroying overactive sebaceous gland and unwanted skin bacteria.
After the treatment you will need to avoid the sun and bright lights for 24 hours. Your skin may be red and tight as in a sunburn for a few days.
After a few days you will notice your skin to be less oily and should notice progressive improvement in your acne. 
It is usually recommended to have 2 - 4 treatments at 2 - 3 week intervals for best results.
With PDT it is now possible to have lasting clearing of acne in a safe, easily tolerated therapy without the risk of serious side effects, eliminating risk of psychosocial stress and physical scarring of the skin.
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