Photodynamic Therapy for Acne
Photodynamic Therapy involves the application of a special amino acid lotion, called Amino Levulinic Acid (ALA) to the affected area for a specified period of time to sensitise the oil glands and bacteria before activating the ALA with a special laser. Once activated the ALA will kill the acne bacteria as well as reduce the excess production of oil typical of that age group. Since it addresses the basic issues of acne, PDT becomes an ideal treatment.
The treatment effects are local, not systemic, and so cannot affect you in any other way, unlike other treatments such as oral isotretinoin.
What is acne?
Acne is a condition that occurs in your early teens when oil glands are hormonally very active and when your pores are likely to become clogged by oil and dead skin cells, make-up particles and dirt. This obstruction won’t permit the oil (sebum) to escape normally to the skin surface and builds up and forms obstructed lesions called comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Comedones may then become infected by acne bacteria sitting on the skin surface and develop into pustules, nodules and cysts, depending on the severity of your acne.
The basic problem in acne is therefore the excessive oil production and obstruction together with the bacterial infection. PDT addresses all of these issues.
Benefits
PDT is a very targeted treatment, meaning that it affects only the overactive oil glands and the acne bacteria, without involving other tissues and cells. This makes it an extremely well-tolerated, safe and effective treatment for acne.
PDT has other benefits such as enhanced skin rejuvenation and clearance.
Treatment guide
How many treatments will I need?
Generally, for best results, we recommend four treatments carried out one month apart, but you are likely to see some results even after the first or second treatment.
Is there any downtime?
Post-treatment there will be some redness, and infrequently slight swelling, lasting a few hours only but there is no real downtime.
Pricing guide
The cost is $425 per treatment
(we recommend four treatments, one month apart)
It is not covered by Medicare.
Considerations
Very infrequently, there may be a brisk response by a very sensitive person to the treatment causing a few fine blisters for a couple of days but this never results in any significant concerns and is very uncommon.
Before & after photos
Start your own before & after story
Contact the team at GMC to talk about how we can help with this treatment or recommendations for your unique goals.
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