PDT procedure one week ago For precancerous cells. Incubated for one hour. No redness, tingling, or peeling did it work?

Question

Hello, A week after the procedure , I have not experienced any tingling /redness/peeling during or / after the procedure. Also, and my precancerous cells feel the same ( like dry patch). Did the therapy work? Every site I have read up on, the I individual experiencing redness/peeling /tightness/ swelling . I had spf on my face prior to the procedure and used face wipes to clean, and then wiped with alcohol pad, prior to the solution being applied. I'm wondering if this did not take? Thx

Julie A. Maughan, MD · Answer

This is a common question.  Most individuals note some degree of redness, tingling or peeling during or after the procedure.  However, different patients metabolize medications at different rates.  The persistence of your dry patch is definitely something your dermatologist wants to know about and address.  You may need a second treatment or a different treatment (topical cream)...or it may not be a precancerous patch.  Hope it works out for the best.

Navin S. Arora, DO, FAAD · Answer

Hi, it may be due to the fact that you had very minimal underlying sun damage.  The 5-ALA only interacts with precancerous cells.  Another factor was duration that you were exposed to the Blue light.  The Blue light activates the ALA, causing the reaction.  If you washed your face well, I do not believe your SPF affected the treatment.  I would follow up with your Dermatologist to see if your need another treatment with longer incubation and light exposure or another treatment.

Gabriel J. Martinez-Diaz, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I would encourage you to call your dermatologist office and inquire about your concerns. It's a bit unusual that you are not experiencing any response. I would say that in my extensive experience with PDT, there's a large degree of clinical variation with what people expect. Not every single patient gets red, crusty, and scaly. Thus, I recommend that you are being seen for an evaluation. Inquire about their protocol for cleansing the skin, such as using alcohol to degrease the skin, and acetone as well, prior to applying the levulan. If it's determined by your physician that a response did not take place, discuss with them a longer incubation period as well as different ways to prepare your skin for the procedure.

PDT procedure one week ago For precancerous cells. Incubated for one hour. No redness, tingling, or peeling did it work?

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PDT procedure one week ago For precancerous cells. Incubated for one hour. No redness, tingling, or peeling did it work?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Photodynamic Therapy

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