Photodynamic Therapy
Precancerous and low-risk cancerous lesions increase your risk of developing more invasive skin cancer in the future. Treating these lesions early is essential to preserve your health. At Dr. Jennifer Armstrong’s office in Orange County, photodynamic therapy is available to remove precancerous lesions, like actinic keratosis, and certain cancers.
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What is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a safe and effective non-surgical treatment for low-risk cancers and pre-cancerous lesions. Patients who are suffering from actinic keratosis or superficial skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma can benefit from PDT by treating their skin cancer with a high success rate and low risk of long-term side effects. The secret behind PDT lies in its ability to photosensitize medication, oxygen, and light, to create a photochemical reaction that selectively destroys cancer cells and minimizes injury to normal skin cells.
Dr. Jennifer Armstrong and her professional medical team give PDT the stamp of approval for patients who wish to maintain the look and feel of their surrounding healthy skin and minimize the risk of being left with scars following their skin cancer treatment.
What are the Benefits of
Photodynamic Therapy?
- Non-invasive skin cancer treatment
- No general anesthesia, cutting, or scarring
- High success rate among mild skin cancers
- Minimizes healthy tissue loss
- Little to no downtime and recovery period
What Can I Expect During my Photodynamic Therapy Treatment?
Your photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatments will be performed by one of our expert medical professionals in our state-of-the-art facility. Your PDT treatment will begin with your medical team member administering a specially formulated photosynthesizing solution into the veins via injection or IV. This chemical photosynthesizer will be chosen specifically for you based on your body and the location of your cancerous or pre-cancerous lesion. You will be asked to come back one to three days later to receive the “photo” portion of your PDT treatment, during which time a specialized LED light will be directed towards your treatment area. A chemical reaction will occur within the skin and the cancerous skin cells will be eliminated. We may recommend more than one “photo” therapy session depending on the size and severity of your lesion.
What Can I Expect After my Photodynamic Therapy Treatment?
Immediately following your photodynamic therapy treatments, you may experience mild pain, swelling, and redness around your treated area. This is normal and typically resolves on its own within one to two weeks of treatment. Small pustules that resemble zits along your treated area are also normal, and should not be seen as signs of infection. You may be asked to protect your treated area from the sun for several weeks to ensure proper healing. While many patients do not experience scarring from their photodynamic therapy treatments, it is common for patients to experience hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation around their treated areas.
Am I a Good Candidate for
Photodynamic Therapy?
If you are suffering from a mild case of skin cancer and are interested in a non-invasive procedure to treat it, photodynamic therapy may be right for you. Ideal candidates for photodynamic therapy are in general good health and have realistic expectations of their results. If you’re unsure whether photodynamic therapy is right for you, we encourage you to come in for a private consultation. One of our expert team members will be happy to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, evaluate your skin, and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your ultimate skin health goals.
How Much Does Photodynamic
Therapy Cost?
The cost of your photodynamic therapy will depend on the extent of treatment needed to achieve your desired results and the coverage provided by your current health insurance plan. To get a better idea of how much your photodynamic therapy will cost, we encourage you to come in for a private consultation.
Dr. Jennifer Armstrong and her team of medical professionals are proud to offer a variety of advanced non-surgical dermatologic services to residents of Orange County, CA. Contact us to schedule your private medical or cosmetic dermatology consultation with Dr. Armstrong today.
- Downtime: VERY MINIMAL
- Pain Level: Very Minimal
- Results Duration: Long-Lasting
Treats:
Pre-cancerous lesions
Side Effects:
Mild pain, swelling, and redness
Location:
Used on the face and body
Follow Up:
Some patients need more than one treatment
How Performed:
Red light is delivered into the skin through an applicator to eliminate the pre-cancerous lesion
Preparation:
Topical anesthetic available
Procedure Type:
Light therapy
Expected Outcome:
Elimination of pre-cancerous lesions
Onset:
Results are typically visible
within 2 weeks
WHY CHOOSE ARMSTRONG MD FOR YOUR TREATMENT?
Expertise
Personalized Care
State-of-the-Art Technology
Celebrity Doctor
Led by Dr. Jen Armstrong, a renowned expert in aesthetic medicine, you are in capable hands.
BALANCE
BALANCE
Non-Invasive • Drug-Free • Emsella Chair
Dr. Jennifer Armstrong looks at the entire person when treating patients in order to help them achieve balance throughout their body. When our body is in balance, our life is in balance. At our state-of-the-art facility, we offer alternative, non-invasive treatments for hormone balance, migraines, depression, anxiety, and other health conditions to help patients be their best self.
BEAUTY
BEAUTY
Botox Cosmetic • Dermal Fillers • Lasers • Skincare
At ArmstrongMD, beauty is never one-size-fits-all. We offer a complete range of injectable and laser devices, as well as medical-grade skincare, to enhance your natural beauty and help you achieve your aesthetic goals with the latest treatments in cosmetic dermatology.
BODY
BODY
EmSculpt Neo • Brazilian Butt Lift • Hair Restoration
Dr. Armstrong is a trained aesthetic medicine specialist and surgeon who performs all types of body contouring and sculpting treatments, including the non-surgical Brazilian butt lift, deoxycholic acid fat loss, and EMSCULPT NEO muscle-building and fat-reduction treatments.
BALANCE
Non-Invasive • Drug-Free • Emsella Chair
Dr. Jennifer Armstrong looks at the entire person when treating patients in order to help them achieve balance throughout their body. When our body is in balance, our life is in balance. At our state-of-the-art facility, we offer alternative, non-invasive treatments for hormone balance, migraines, depression, anxiety, and other health conditions to help patients be their best self.
BALANCE
Non-Invasive • Drug-Free • Fast Relief
Dr. Jennifer Armstrong looks at the entire person when treating patients in order to help them achieve balance throughout their body. When our body is in balance, our life is in balance. At our state-of-the-art facility, we offer alternative, non-invasive treatments for hormone balance, migraines, depression, anxiety, and other health conditions to help patients be their best self.
BEAUTY
Botox Cosmetic • Dermal Fillers • Lasers • Skincare
At ArmstrongMD, beauty is never one-size-fits-all. We offer a complete range of injectable and laser devices, as well as medical-grade skincare, to enhance your natural beauty and help you achieve your aesthetic goals with the latest treatments in cosmetic dermatology.
BEAUTY
Botox Cosmetic • Dermal Fillers • Lasers • Skincare
At ArmstrongMD, beauty is never one-size-fits-all. We offer a complete range of injectable and laser devices, as well as medical-grade skincare, to enhance your natural beauty and help you achieve your aesthetic goals with the latest treatments in cosmetic dermatology.
BODY
EmSculpt Neo • Brazilian Butt Lift • Hair Restoration
Dr. Armstrong is a trained aesthetic medicine specialist and surgeon who performs all types of body contouring and sculpting treatments, including the non-surgical Brazilian butt lift, deoxycholic acid fat loss, and EMSCULPT NEO muscle-building and fat-reduction treatments.
BODY
EmSculpt Neo • Brazilian Butt Lift • Hair Restoration
Dr. Armstrong is a trained aesthetic medicine specialist and surgeon who performs all types of body contouring and sculpting treatments, including the non-surgical Brazilian butt lift, deoxycholic acid fat loss, and EMSCULPT NEO muscle-building and fat-reduction treatments.
Get Glowing with LaseMD at Armstrong MD
Armstrong MD offers cutting-edge, non-invasive treatments to help you look and feel your best. With LaseMD, you can achieve a radiant, youthful complexion with minimal downtime. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!