Sun Damaged Skin Treatment

The skin is the biggest organ in our body which can become damaged and sun damaged skin treatment is needed following years of sun exposure.

Sun-damaged skin often presents as rough, red scaly skin. This is a concern as it greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer in future.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for sun-damaged skin. Not only does it reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, it also aims to improve the quality and appearance of the skin.

It is a simple non-invasive treatment, comprising the application of a cream or spray (5-ALA) to the sun-damaged areas, followed by exposure to special blue or red light. The treatment takes one hour and is completely painless and safe.

The active ingredient (5-ALA) is selectively absorbed by sun-damaged cells. When exposed to the blue or red light, the sun-damaged cells are destroyed by a chemical reaction whilst normal cells are preserved.

Downtime varies from a few days up to two weeks.

The cost of PDT is not covered under Medicare, although some private health insurance companies provide a rebate for this treatment.