Acne Face Products

Acne occurs when our oil secreting glands or sebaceous glands become over active and secrete excess oil known as sebum. This reaches the skin layer and blocks the pores of skin. The cells are not able to breathe. The skin is also exposed to the external pollution, dirt leading to the inflammation known as blackheads and whiteheads. The bacteria also gets trapped inside the affected parts are painful to touch.

Sometimes this problem gets too severe. Lesions and abrasions are formed causing permanent scars on the face. Pus filled cysts come up under the skin.

Acne and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic therapy is a new therapy for Acne and other skin problems. It is non-abrasive method.

1. Oxygen
2. Intense pulsed light (IPL), or red, blue light i.e. light of a suitable wavelength.
3. Photosensitising solution like levulan kerastic. This solution is made from aminolevulinic acid (ALA). This makes skin sensitive to light.
4. There are other photosensitisers like Porfimer sodium, Vertreporfin, tempoporfin etc. They are used for treating different cancers. The administration may be topical or may be injected through intravenous. This also depends upon the purpose for which the therapy is being carried out.

The therapy is typically done in 1 session.

1. Dead cells are first removed from the skin.
2. ALA is applied on the affected parts. It is left for nearly 1 hour so that it penetrates in to the skin.
3. The patient is then exposed to the IPL, Intense Pulsed light.
4. The patient is advised to avoid direct sunlight till 2-3 days after the session.

Generally people observe the difference even after first sittng. However more number of sittings are required it the problem is too severe.

This technique works by burning the cells secreting excess oil. It also burns the thriving bacteria under the skin. Consequently acne is controlled to a great extent.

Advantages of Photodynamic Therapy

1. The photodynamic therapy is known to cure the marks left by acne.
2. It rejuvenates the skin by doing away with the layer of dead cells.
3. Wrinkles, fine lines, age marks are also cured by this technique.
4. No threat to the adjoining organs. Has no significant impact on the tissues.

Other Medical Applications of Photodynamic Therapy

1. The photodynamic therapy is known to have depicted amazing results in curing cancers especially lung cancer. The principle remains the same. The cancerous cells are burnt. In lung cancer, the trachea is blocked. These blockages are cleared in few days, thus making it possible for the person to breathe.
2. Skin cancers are also treated by photodynamic therapy (PDT)
3. Also a cure for macular degeneration
4. Psoriasis can be treated using PDT.
5. Can be more cost effective treatment as compared to radiotherapy in treating cancers

1. Skin becomes sensitive to light, which can be overcome after a period of time.
2. Difficult to cure cancers where in light cannot pass for example bone cancers.

Thus we can say that PDT is an effective non-surgical, non-abrasive method for curing skin problems as well as most serious tumours.