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Photodynamic Therapy

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Book cover Daily Routine in Cosmetic Dermatology

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of a chemical reaction activated by light source that is used in the management of many skin diseases. The most extensively studied photosensitizing agents for PDT are 5-aminolevulinic and methyl aminolevulinate (MAL). The light sources used in photodynamic therapy should emit light at optimal wavelengths to excite the photosensitizer and produce reactive oxygen species. PDT should be considered as a therapeutic option, particularly in the case of non-melanoma skin cancer such as actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and Bowen disease. It can also be used in some inflammatory and infectious disease. Photorejuvenation is a new spectrum of PDT use, which is being widely studied. Daylight-mediated PDT is a new modality of PDT, which was developed to minimize patient discomfort, maintaining PDT efficacy. This chapter will approach its concept, mechanism of action, procedure, and indications.

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Correspondence to Maria Claudia Almeida Issa .

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Almeida Issa, M.C., Cerqueira Alexandre, D. (2016). Photodynamic Therapy. In: Issa, M., Tamura, B. (eds) Daily Routine in Cosmetic Dermatology. Clinical Approaches and Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20250-1_34-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20250-1_34-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20250-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20250-1

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