What's New in Photodynamic Therapy for Photorejuvenation?

Premature skin aging occurs when exposure to UV light disrupts the balance between normal collagen formation and degradation. Various invasive modalities exist for the treatment of premature skin aging; however, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as an efficacious treatment option for patients seeking a more noninvasive means to repair photodamaged skin. Photodynamic therapy, a process whereby a photosensitizer and light source in the presence of molecular oxygen selectively destroy a targeted cell, has been explored in combination with various light sources. Treatment paradigms for the off-label use of PDT for photodamage (ie, fine or coarse lines, skin roughness, telangiectases, sallowness) have been established. Recently, the generalizability of PDT has started to change, as the idea of creating safe and effective protocols in darker skin types has just begun to be broached. The minimal side effects and radically reduced incubation times associated with the procedure have made PDT an attractive option for the cosmetic patient.