Suncoast Skin Solutions performs photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light-activated topical treatment for precancerous actinic keratoses and sun-damaged skin cells, in offices across Florida.
If a provider has told you that you have precancerous spots, or you have rough, scaly patches from years of sun exposure, this treatment may be a good fit. Book an appointment to find out whether PDT is right for you.
What Is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an in-office skin treatment that uses a light-activated topical medication to destroy precancerous and sun-damaged cells while sparing healthy skin.
During a PDT dermatology treatment, we apply a photosensitizing medication called Levulan (aminolevulinic acid, or ALA) to the treatment area. Over an incubation period in our office, the medication is absorbed into abnormal cells. A special light matched to the medication then activates it, a step known as blue light activation, and that reaction destroys the abnormal cells.
PDT for Actinic Keratosis and Sun Damage
An actinic keratosis is a precancerous spot caused by sun exposure, and the advantage of PDT in these cases is coverage. Instead of freezing one visible spot at a time, we treat an entire sun-damaged area, including early cell changes that are not yet raised or easy to see on the surface.
Most patients having photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis need one to two treatments, and your provider will decide based on how much sun damage is present. Because the entire sun-damaged area is treated rather than one spot at a time, the skin often feels smoother once healing is complete, with fewer sun-damaged cells remaining across the treated area.
Other Concerns PDT Treatment Addresses
PDT is not only for precancerous spots. Patients also ask about photodynamic therapy face treatment for acne, uneven skin, and sun-damaged skin.
- Photodynamic therapy acne treatment is an option when oral or topical treatments have not helped enough.
- Rosacea is another concern patients consider PDT for when topical treatments have not sufficed.
- PDT skin treatment may also be used for sun-damaged or uneven skin on the face.
How PDT Works at Suncoast
Here’s what to expect:
- We clean the skin first, then apply Levulan evenly across the mapped treatment area.
- The medication incubates in our office for one to three hours under controlled conditions.
- Light activation takes about twenty minutes, and we give you light-blocking eye protection to wear throughout.
- A cooling device is provided during activation to help keep you comfortable throughout the session.
- Before you leave, we give you personalized instructions for caring for your skin after treatment.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
A little preparation keeps your visit on schedule and makes the days afterward easier. Here is what we ask patients to do before a photodynamic treatment appointment.
- Arrive with clean skin. That means no makeup, creams, lotions, or perfume.
- Bring sun protection for the ride home (hat, sunglasses, gloves, or long sleeves).
- Plan to be in our office for a few hours.
- Tell us if you have a history of herpes outbreaks in the treatment area, and list any photosensitizing medications you take, such as Retin-A or certain antibiotics, so we can plan around them.
- Have a gentle cleanser, mineral SPF 30 or higher, a thick moisturizer, cold packs or aloe, and ibuprofen or acetaminophen ready at home.
Photodynamic Therapy Recovery Day by Day
Photodynamic therapy recovery follows a general day-by-day pattern, though individual skin reactions vary based on treatment depth and incubation time.
Day-by-Day Timeline
- Days 0 to 2: Expect a sunburn-like reaction with redness, swelling, and mild discomfort.
- Days 2 to 5: Peeling, flaking, crusting, and continued sensitivity are common during this stage.
- Days 5 to 7+: Redness fades, peeling subsides, and skin begins to settle. Scarring or permanent damage is not expected when the procedure is performed appropriately.
Post-Treatment Care Instructions
Sun Protection & Activity
- Strict Indoor Isolation: Stay out of direct AND indirect sunlight for 48 hours. Avoid exposure to sunlight through uncovered windows.
- Ongoing Sun Care: Continue protecting your skin after 48 hours by applying a broad-spectrum, mineral-based sunscreen (SPF 30+ with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) daily.
Cleansing & Hydration
- Gently wash the treated area 1–2 times daily with a mild cleanser.
- Apply a high-quality moisturizer as often as needed to keep skin comfortable and hydrated.
Managing Discomfort & Swelling
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed.
- Apply refrigerated 100% aloe vera gel or cold packs/ice wrapped in a clean cloth or towel (10–15 minutes at a time) to reduce swelling. Never apply ice directly to the skin.
Protection & Products to Avoid
- Blisters & Scabs: If blisters form, apply Vaseline or Aquaphor twice daily. Do not pick or force off scabs or peeling skin.
- Avoid Irritants: Pause all acne treatments and topical irritants (including Retin-A, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid) until redness, flaking, and peeling completely resolve.
- Makeup: You may resume applying makeup once crusting has fully peeled away and skin feels comfortable.
Photodynamic Therapy Cost
Photodynamic therapy cost depends on the size of the treatment area and the number of sessions your skin needs, whether that is one visit or two. PDT cost also varies depending on whether we are treating actinic keratoses as a medical concern or addressing a cosmetic concern, such as acne or uneven skin texture.
When performed to treat medical conditions like actinic keratoses, photodynamic therapy is usually covered by most health insurance plans. Cosmetic procedures, however, may not be covered.
During your consultation, your provider will assess your skin and recommend a treatment plan with a personalized cost estimate that takes your insurance details into account. You’ll also learn what to expect before treatment and during recovery.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options and pricing.
Where We Offer Photodynamic Therapy
If you have been searching for photodynamic therapy near you, we have it available at all of our Suncoast locations in Florida, including Sarasota and Tampa. Patients looking for PDT near them can browse our locations page to locate the closest office.
Schedule Your Photodynamic Therapy Consultation
Sun damage is worth treating before it turns into something more serious. Our board-certified providers will examine your skin, explain whether photodynamic therapy is right for you, and walk you through how the treatment will proceed. Schedule Today at a Suncoast location near you, or call us at 844-SUN-DERM to book your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is some mild discomfort. Most patients describe a warm, stinging, or burning sensation during the roughly 20 minutes of light activation, and the intensity usually depends on the extent of sun damage in the treated area. We provide a cooling device during activation, and the sensation typically eases after the light is turned off.
The main downsides are temporary light sensitivity, visible skin reaction, and 48 hours of strict indoor downtime. You must stay out of direct and indirect sunlight (including light through uncovered windows) for two days. Sunburn-like redness, swelling, peeling, and crusting are normal temporary side effects.
Expect a sunburn-like appearance at first, with redness and some swelling. Peeling and crusting follow in the days after, and redness will fade as the skin finishes healing. Our recovery day-by-day section above walks through what each stage tends to look and feel like.
After blue light treatment (or photodynamic light therapy), wash gently 1–2 times daily with a mild cleanser and apply a high-quality moisturizer frequently. You can use refrigerated 100% aloe vera gel or wrapped cold packs to reduce swelling, and Vaseline or Aquaphor if blisters form. Avoid Retin-A, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other topical irritants until peeling fully stops. Apply a mineral SPF 30+ (or higher) for several days following treatment as well.
PDT therapy results vary from person to person. New spots can still form with ongoing sun exposure, so daily sun protection and regular skin checks help you maintain your results.
Most patients being treated for precancerous spots have one or two sessions, but this is something for your provider to determine once they examine you.
At Suncoast, we mainly use PDT for precancerous actinic keratoses rather than for skin cancer itself. Whether it fits a skin cancer diagnosis is a decision your provider makes with you during a consultation, based on the type and depth of the lesion.
Yes, Medicare and most private insurance plans typically cover photodynamic therapy when treating precancerous spots like actinic keratoses. Coverage usually does not apply to cosmetic uses, and our team can help you verify your specific benefits.
Cost depends on how large an area we are treating, how many sessions your skin needs, and whether the concern is medical or cosmetic.
Schedule Your Photodynamic Therapy Consultation
Sun damage is worth treating before it turns into something more serious. Our board-certified providers will examine your skin, explain whether photodynamic therapy is right for you, and walk you through how the treatment will proceed. Schedule Today at a Suncoast location near you, or call us at 844-SUN-DERM to book your consultation.