The modern medical process called Photodynamic Therapy has been used for several years as a potentially effective treatment of different kinds of cancer. Scientists are also looking at it for possible treatment of cosmetic dermatology issues, where the light energy could be effective in providing a stimulus to dermal tissues, much like what happens with different types of modern laser therapies including fraction resurfacing. Knowing more about all of the current alternatives available to patients will help individuals make good choices about their overall medical care and cosmetic dermatology goals.
There are a number of good reasons to select Photodynamic Therapy or similar treatments over other more invasive procedures for a variety of health or cosmetic solutions. Here are some of the major reasons that patients contemplate taking on Photodynamic Therapy or laser treatments.
1. No Surgery
Photodynamic Therapy and similar treatments involve no surgical cutting. This is a major plus for patients who do not like to “go under the knife” and comes with its own inherent benefits.
2. No Implants
Although Photodynamic Therapy may involve an injection or IV catheter, it does not involve placing unnatural items below the skin.
3. No Skin Burns
A distinguishing factor of Photodynamic Therapy is that it does not include a lot of heat energy in the same way that some modern laser treatments utilize “microchannels” of heat that burn tissues. In some cases, patients taking these heat therapies suffer burns. Since Photodynamic Therapy does not include this type of methodology, it is not likely to result in these potential side effects.
4. Less Recovery Time
Hardly any recovery time usually applies to Photodynamic Therapy. In contrast to certain other treatments, the patient can resume normal activities as usual, depending on the doctor’s specific advice.
5. Natural Treatment Tools
Because Photodynamic Therapy utilizes the power of light, it has less of the stringent chemicals and drugs that some patients are afraid of with other types of procedures. Patients can still develop an allergy to some of the elements used in Photodynamic Therapy, but as a whole, the process involves natural elements.
6. Less Anesthesia
Although some anesthesia may apply to a photodynamic therapy procedure, patients are not likely to need the kinds of general anesthesia that they may be given in some other kinds of treatments.
Patients who want to explore the use of Photodynamic Therapy for any existing condition should talk to their doctors at length about all of the risks and benefits of this treatment. It’s important to know about any possibilities of complications, risks or side effects with this or any procedure. Patients can also ask about the full range of alternative options including heat energy or RF energy applications, ultrasound guided catheters, dermal fillers or chemical applications.
Talk to your doctor about your own personal medical conditions to see if you’re a good candidate for Photodynamic Therapy or some other kind of modern medical care. Your doctor will evaluate all of your health information and help you to select the best plan for dealing with a skin condition or other issue.
