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Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

Written by Dr. Ringpfeil

Photodynamic Therapy

Insider Information: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) For Acne

Photodynamic therapy is an excellent alternative to Accutane (isotretinoin). It achieves similar results and targets acne only where it is.

OMNILUX - PDT for acne and cancer treatment

Photodynamic therapy is covered by insurance for skin cancer / precancer treatments only. It is not covered for acne, scars, sebaceous gland hyperplasias, and skin rejuvenation.

65-70% of our patients fully control their acne after 4-6 PDT treatments ($650 / treatment) when performed every 4 weeks.

I apply Ameluz photosensitizing agent (rather than the Levulan Kerastick, which I find less effective for acne treatment) and let it incubate on the skin under Seran wrap for 1.5 hours and then activated by red light 633 nm for 3-20 minutes. The exact time will be determined by the tolerance or any redness occurring on the skin during activation.

After the treatment, sun light and fluorescent light protection is crucial for 42 hours after the application of the Metvixia. Most people who undergo PDT have some redness mild swelling for 24 hours after each treatment.

5% of patients experience a severe reaction with bright redness, swelling, and reactivation of acne that lasts intensely for one week and may require oral or topical steroid for several days and oral antibiotic for 10-14 days. If this rare reaction occurs, residual redness on the face may take up to 3-4 weeks to fully resolve. In those who have this severe reaction, only one treatment rather than 4-6 is typically necessary to control the acne. While nobody is pleased while in this severe phase, our patients uniformly said they would do it again given that their acne is gone afterwards or needs only minimal topical medication for control. The severe reaction can be avoided if the incubabtion time is reduced. However, for the majority of people that would mean undertreatment and payment for an ineffective treatment.

photodynamic therapy - PDT - Treatment
  • Expected Results
    • This photosensitizing treatment effectively treats inflammatory acne, rosacea, sebaceous gland hyperplasias as well as precancerous conditions and superficial skin cancers.
  • Preparation
    • Levulan Kerastick / Metvixia contains a clear solution of aminolevulinic acid that is applied to the skin for 1 to 2 hours (acne), or several hours (cancers / pre cancers), prior to activation with a light source.
  • Post treatment instruction
    • Sun exposure and fluorescent light exposure must be strictly avoided for 24-48 hours after the treatment as photosensitivity from the Levulan Kerastick / Metvixia persists for this amount of time. A zinc oxide / titanium dioxide containing sunscreen must be applied to any treated area that can not be covered by clothing.
  • Time to desired results
    • 4-6 treatments every 2-4 weeks for acne. Usually two treatments, 2 weeks apart, for precancerous conditions/skin cancers. 2-6 treatments, two weeks between treatments, for superficial skin cancers.
  • Contraindications
    • Sensitivity to aminolevulinic acid, photosensitizing medications.
  • Lasting results
    • Many months with acne/rosacea, up to 10 years with skin cancer.
  • Downtime
    • Gradually diminishing redness and peeling for several days. Crusting occurs when skin cancers are present. Topical acne/rosacea treatments can be resumed when the redness has faded.

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# of surveys: 4187
Last updated: 1/02/2024 11:10 AM

PATIENT RATINGS

Would you recommend us?

definitely
93.1%
probably
6.16%
maybe
0.58%
not likely
0.08%
no
0.02%

Compare our service to other similar practices

excellent
87.9%
very good
10.1%
good
1.8%
poor
0.06%
very poor
0%

Overall doctor performance

excellent
94.2%
very good
4.89%
good
0.80%
poor
0.03%
very poor
0%

The doctor listened to you attentively

excellent
93.9%
very good
4.97%
good
1.05%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0%

The doctor took time to answer your questions

excellent
94.0%
very good
4.66%
good
1.27%
poor
0.02%
very poor
0%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent
94.3%
very good
4.16%
good
1.25%
poor
0.14%
very poor
0.02%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent
92.0%
very good
5.69%
good
2.18%
poor
0.11%
very poor
0.0%

Front desk performance

excellent
85.6%
very good
10.2%
good
3.66%
poor
0.31%
very poor
0.08%

Aesthetician performance

excellent
88.6%
very good
7.61%
good
3.39%
poor
0.24%
very poor
0.08%

Office comfort

excellent
90.9%
very good
6.93%
good
2.08%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0.05%

Parking

excellent
66.4%
very good
14.4%
good
15.7%
poor
2.49%
very poor
0.9%

Friendliness of the staff during appointment

excellent
90.9%
very good
7.23%
good
1.85%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0%

What WE DID WELL

(Answers:674)

The waiting room had interesting products and information. The staff were professional, kind and had a nice process.

#12010-11-10 12:28:11

Once in the examining room, I was treated professionally by both individuals whom I saw.

#22011-06-01 16:55:08

Facility was very contemporary. Very welcoming.

#32011-05-02 09:29:24

The office decor and the people are very nice

#42025-04-30

The staff members were wonderful and very friendly. I was impressed by the doctor's expertise and professionalism.

#52025-01-17

the professionalism and everyone made me feel comfortable.

#62025-05-06

the doctor and the staff were excellent and very attentive.

#72025-04-03

I appreciated that Dr. Ringpfeil took the time to thoroughly explain everything we spoke about. She did not simply provide a professional opinion, she provided her opinion and supplemented it with an explanation that made everything clear to me. I felt like I was listened to and interacted with, rather than just spoken at (which has often been my experience with other dermatologists). Thank you!

#82024-11-02

I rea;;y appreciated how soon I was given an appointment and also how friendly all of the staff are. The office is beautiful.

#92025-03-27

The frankness of the doctor

#102024-06-26

What can we do better?

(answers:373)

N/A. Everything was great!

#12024-09-17

Can not be better!

#22011-04-05 09:29:32

can't think of anything

#32011-12-12 10:13:47

Can't think of anything, all was excellent.

#42011-05-03 10:51:30

May be by considering the comfort of the patients by allowing a grace period of atleast10-15mins and also by functioning on weekends too

#52024-09-29

You guys did great. This was a great experience for me

#62010-09-22 12:31:41

i was completely satisfies with everything and everyone. Even my lateness was not held against me.

#72024-08-25

I actually appreciated and was so very happy with all aspects of my visit.

#82024-11-30

WINE AND CHEESE WOULD BE NICE IN THE WAITING AREA

#92011-02-09 12:32:20

This visit was great.

#102024-07-13

Customer Rating : 4.7

Based on 637 ratings
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