We all know that light is essential for life. That our body needs it, for example to synthesize vitamin D, and that our daily life and psychological well-being are highly dependent on it.
But we are also aware of the harmful effects that the accumulation of sun damage has on the skin, with the appearance of spots, textural changes, precancerous lesions and skin cancer.
However, we must know that even what light has spoiled, another light can restore, under the right conditions: photodynamic therapy.
Photodynamic therapy consists of the use of a specific light to selectively destroy skin cells that cause DNA damage. This is achieved by previously administering a cream containing ALA or MAL (ALA: 5-aminolevulinic acid, MAL: methyl-aminolevulinic acid) to the area to be treated, which produces the accumulation of porphyrins selectively in the deteriorated cells. These porphyrins, when activated by light, induce the death of damaged cells and eventually their replacement with new, normal cells.
This technique is increasingly used in dermatology, although it is not limited to this specialty, but can also be used in internal organs when the ALA or MAL compound is administered orally and the light through fiber optics inside the body.
In dermatology, the main skin problems that benefit from photodynamic therapy are premalignant lesions (actinic keratoses, which can eventually give rise to skin cancer) and superficial basal cell carcinomas. It can also be a suitable treatment for acne, rosacea, onychomycosis and viral warts.
The great advantage of photodynamic therapy over other dermatological treatments is its excellent aesthetic results, superior to surgery in the case of tumors, and faster than cream or pill treatments in the case of acne.
For these reasons, the newest application of photodynamic therapy is facial photorejuvenation. This technique induces a deep renewal of all layers of the skin, resulting in a cleaner and more luminous complexion. It also reduces skin blemishes and wrinkles, while preventing the appearance of premalignant and malignant lesions in the future.