Can Photodynamic Therapy Be Used over Large Area of Body For Actinic Keratosis?

The FDA has approved photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses on the face and scalp.  Nevertheless, many dermatologists use it on off-label areas including neck, arms, or legs.  In areas with thicker skin, such as the extremities, the incubation time for the levulan needs to be lengthened.  Studies have shown that occlusion with saran wrap during the incubation period is helpful on areas of thicker skin.  Exfoliating the skin in advance of the treatment is another way to help the medication penetrate.

I commonly perform PDT to the entire body. I may break it up into different sessions, but studies have shown that the combination of one of the immunomodulators (like efudex, aldara, or carac) with PDT, works better than either treatment alone in providing AK clearance.

PDT can be used on the face, neck, arms, legs, chest and really over any area with photodamage and AKs.  One might need a longer drug incubation on off-face areas but protocols exist by many doctors on how best to do this.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be used for a large skin area, such as arms or legs.  We usually do one big area at a time & use Levulan & BBL combination.                                                                                   

I often use PDT (photodynamic therapy) to treat off-face areas of the face such as the arms or legs.  Oftentimes, effective treatment requires longer incubation times of Levulan and possibly occlusion with plastic wrap.  To obtain superior results and photorejuvemation, I combine blue light with IPL to remove actinic keratoses, sun spots, and red pigmentation.

PDT can certainly be used for a large surface area, such as arms or legs (off label). However, you would have to have these areas treated one at a time. Discuss other treatment options, such as freezing and creams, with your dermatologist.
 

Photodynamic therapy works as great field therapy for sun-damage skin.  It is particularly effective on the head and neck.  PDT works very well with proper preparation (retinoids, moisturization regimen, exfoliation) on the hands, arms and shins.  PDT is less painful off the face and you need to see someone with a bit of experience to achieve good results off the face because the incubation times on thicker, less-sebaceous skin are different.