07 3544 6425My personal experience with photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a Queensland Skin and Laser staff member and patient.
After two years working at Queensland Skin and Laser, I felt my skin was in great condition. I’d had CO₂ laser, chemical peels, IPL and other treatments, and I was happy with how my skin looked and felt.
But growing up in North Queensland as a fair-skinned, freckling, sporty kid meant I had spent years exposed to the sun. I knew I’d had plenty of sun exposure. What I hadn’t fully appreciated was how that history could affect my skin years later, even when it looked healthy on the surface.
Why I Decided to Have PDT
I noticed a few areas of skin that weren’t healing as they should. We suspected they could be actinic keratoses (AKs), areas of sun-damaged skin that may require treatment to reduce the risk of progression to skin cancer. Although I felt my skin was healthy, these persistent lesions prompted me to investigate what was happening beneath the surface. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) was recommended as a treatment option, and I decided to go ahead.
I knew PDT targets certain sun-damaged cells. I understood that the treatment could cause a reaction, but I didn’t expect the recovery to be particularly difficult. In fact, I hadn’t really considered the downtime. I was focused on getting the treatment done, rather than thinking carefully about how my skin might look and feel afterwards.
That turned out to be something I should have considered more seriously.
Six Hours With the Ointment: So Far, So Good
The PDT ointment was applied, and I went about my workday. I had it on for around six hours while I was at work. Honestly, I barely remembered it was there. I was getting on with my day, chatting with people and occasionally catching myself rubbing my face without thinking.
At that point, everything felt relatively straightforward. I wasn’t experiencing much discomfort, and I thought the treatment would be manageable.
Then came the LED activation.
Under the LED Lights
The 12 minutes under the LED lights were quite painful. I experienced an intense stinging and burning sensation that felt very different from anything I’d experienced with IPL, CO₂ laser or a chemical peel. It wasn’t the heat that stayed around. It was the stinging and burning sensation itself.
We had fans running, and a calming mist was applied periodically to help manage the discomfort.
After the activation, we used cold water wipes and applied cool compresses. However, the stinging continued for around two hours after the treatment. Then, it settled. I was left with a feeling of tightness and stiffness, almost like I’d had a sunburn.
The Following Morning
The next morning, I was swollen!
This was another surprise. I hadn’t given much thought to how my face might look the following day, particularly with my son’s 6th birthday party just two days away. Looking back, I probably should have slept more upright! I’d expected some redness and discomfort, but I hadn’t anticipated the degree of swelling I experienced.
It was a reminder that PDT can produce a significant inflammatory response, even when you feel your skin is in good condition beforehand.
What Was Happening Beneath the Surface?
This is the part of my experience that has stayed with me. I felt my skin was healthy. I’d invested in treatments, looked after my skin and understood the importance of sun protection. But I also grew up in North Queensland. I was a fair-skinned, freckling, sporty kid. I spent years outdoors, exposed to the Queensland sun.
That history matters.
Skin can look healthy on the surface while cumulative sun damage remains beneath.
AK’s develop in areas of sun-damaged skin. They can appear as rough or scaly patches and may require treatment because some can progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
PDT works by using a photosensitising medication and a specific light source to target abnormal cells. The treatment can also trigger inflammation in the surrounding tissue, contributing to redness, swelling and discomfort.
My reaction made me think differently about the relationship between how my skin looks and what may be happening beneath the surface. The treatments I’d had previously had helped address various skin concerns. However, they didn’t mean I was free from the effects of years of sun exposure.
My Biggest Takeaway
My PDT experience was a reminder that skin health is about more than what we see on the surface.
Growing up in North Queensland as a fair-skinned, freckling, sporty kid meant I had years of sun exposure behind me. Even though I felt my skin was in great shape after 2 years of professional treatments, I still developed areas of concern that needed assessment.
This experience has given me a deeper appreciation for the importance of skin checks and constant sun protection.
Day One After PDT: Would I Do It Again?
It’s now the day after my PDT treatment, and I’m back at the office. I’m still swollen, and my son’s birthday party is tomorrow. So, perhaps I didn’t think the timing through quite as carefully as I should have!
Would I have booked PDT knowing what I know now? Absolutely. But I would have planned it differently.
I would have scheduled it for a Friday or a time when I could take a day or two off afterwards. Going straight back to work the next day, while managing swelling and recovery, wasn’t something I’d properly considered (mostly because I hadn’t expected such a dramatic reaction).
However, here’s the surprising part.
Even on day one, I’m already thinking about having PDT on other areas of my body.
My chest. My neck. My arms. The areas that have experienced years of sun exposure. Despite the experience and the reaction, I’m already considering where else PDT might be appropriate.
What I’d Do Differently
If I were planning PDT again, I’d pay much more attention to the timing. Not because I regret having the treatment, but because I now understand how important it is to allow yourself time to recover. I’d choose a Friday or a period when I could take a day or two away from work. I’d also avoid scheduling it immediately before an important event.
Concerned About Sun Damage?
At Queensland Skin and Laser, our medical team assesses your skin concerns and discusses appropriate treatment options based on your individual circumstances.
Your history of sun exposure, family history of skin cancer, and any previous precancerous lesions can all be important when assessing your skin health.
If you have a lesion that isn’t healing, a rough patch, or concerns about what’s happening beneath the surface, a skin cancer assessment can help you understand what requires attention.
Don’t wait until something becomes painful or obvious. If you’re concerned about your skin, we’re here to help.
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