Surgical &
Medical Services
Photodynamic Therapy in Beverly Hills
Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, combines a photosensitizing solution with a specific wavelength of light to target precancerous cells, sun damage, and acne-causing activity beneath the surface of the skin. It’s one of the more effective options for treating widespread actinic damage that would otherwise mean freezing dozens of individual spots one at a time. At Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, our Board-Certified, Cosmetic Fellowship-Trained Dermatologists use PDT to treat both the visible damage and the damage that hasn’t shown up yet.
How Photodynamic Therapy Works
PDT is a two-part process, and both parts matter to the outcome:
- A photosensitizing solution, aminolevulinic acid (ALA), is applied to the treatment area
- The solution incubates for a set period, allowing it to concentrate in abnormal and sun-damaged cells
- A specific wavelength of light, typically blue light or intense pulsed light, activates the solution
- Activation destroys the targeted cells while leaving surrounding healthy skin largely unaffected
What PDT Treats
PDT is most often used for:
- Actinic keratosis, particularly when spots are numerous or widespread
- Extensive sun damage and photoaging across the face, chest, and scalp
- Treatment-resistant or cystic acne, by targeting overactive oil glands
What to Expect
A PDT session at our Beverly Hills practice includes:
- Cleansing and preparation of the treatment area
- Application of the photosensitizing solution and an incubation period, typically thirty minutes to a few hours
- Light activation, which takes several minutes and can cause a warm or stinging sensation
- Redness and peeling for three to seven days afterward as treated cells clear
Why Sun Avoidance Matters After Treatment
The photosensitizing solution stays active in the skin for a period after treatment, which means unprotected sun exposure during that window can trigger a significant reaction. Our physicians walk through a strict avoidance protocol before you leave the office, and given how much sun Los Angeles gets year round, this is the step patients most need to plan around rather than the treatment itself.
Adding IPL
For patients with significant lentigines, we also offer PDT activated with intense pulsed light (IPL) rather than the standard blue light. The Levulan solution works the same way in both cases, concentrating in sun-damaged cells before light exposure triggers their breakdown, but IPL’s broader spectrum also targets pigment and small vessels directly as it activates the solution. That combination gives a more pronounced improvement in lentigines and overall skin tone than blue light PDT alone, making it a better fit for patients whose main concern is visible sun damage rather than actinic keratosis. Our physicians determine which activation light suits your goals during your consultation.
Are You a Candidate?
Patients with widespread actinic keratosis, significant sun damage, or acne that hasn’t responded to other treatment are frequently excellent candidates for PDT. Schedule a consultation at our Beverly Hills practice to find out whether it’s the right fit for your skin.
Surgical & Medical Services
Contact Our Office
Skin Care & Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills
9201 W. Sunset Blvd. Suite 602
Los Angeles, CA 90069 US
310.246.0495
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To learn more about Photodynamic Therapy in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, you can request a consultation with us online or call our office at 310.246.0495 for more information.
9201 W. Sunset Blvd. Suite 602
Los Angeles, CA 90069 US
310.246.0495
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