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GlossaryPhotodynamic Therapy

uses light-activated drugs to destroy targeted cells

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that uses a combination of a photosensitizing drug and a specific type of light to kill cancer cells, bacteria, or other targeted cells. The drug is first applied to the treatment area and allowed to be absorbed by the cells. When exposed to the light, the drug becomes activated and produces a form of oxygen that destroys the targeted cells. This therapy is used in various medical fields, including dermatology for treating conditions like actinic keratosis and certain types of skin cancer.

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Photodynamic and Photobiological Effects of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy in Dermatological Disease: An Update

research Photodynamic and photobiological effects of light-emitting diode (LED) therapy in dermatological disease: an update

62 citations , July 2018 in “Lasers in Medical Science”

LED therapy is safe and shows potential for treating skin conditions and promoting hair growth, but more research is needed.

Silk-Inspired In Situ Hydrogel with Enhanced Anti-Tumor Immunity for Photodynamic Therapy in Melanoma and Infected Wound Healing

research Silk‐Inspired In Situ Hydrogel with Anti‐Tumor Immunity Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy for Melanoma and Infected Wound Healing

59 citations , February 2021 in “Advanced Functional Materials”

The silk fibroin-based hydrogel shows promise for treating melanoma and healing infected wounds by killing tumor cells and bacteria, and supporting skin recovery.

research The Comparison of In Vitro Photosensitizing Efficacy of Curcumin-Loaded Liposomes Following Photodynamic Therapy on Melanoma MUG-Mel2, Squamous Cell Carcinoma SCC-25, and Normal Keratinocyte HaCaT Cells

48 citations , April 2021 in “Pharmaceuticals”

Liposomal curcumin improves skin cancer treatment effectiveness while sparing normal cells.

research The Use of Photodynamic Therapy for Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

29 citations , January 2007 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Photodynamic Therapy is an effective treatment for mild to severe acne.

research Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of folliculitis decalvans

25 citations , March 2012 in “Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine”

Photodynamic therapy successfully treated a difficult scalp condition causing hair loss.

research Treatment of multiple scalp basal cell carcinomas by photodynamic therapy

16 citations , January 2001 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Photodynamic therapy was effective in treating multiple scalp basal cell carcinomas with minimal side effects and good cosmetic results.

Combination of Photodynamic Therapy with 5-Aminolaevulinic Acid and Microneedling in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata Resistant to Conventional Therapies: Our Experience with 41 Patients

research Combination of photodynamic therapy with 5‐aminolaevulinic acid and microneedling in the treatment of alopecia areata resistant to conventional therapies: our experience with 41 patients

14 citations , August 2019 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Combining light therapy, acid, and microneedling improves hair regrowth in stubborn hair loss cases.

research Low-level light-assisted photodynamic therapy using a wearable cap-like device for the treatment of actinic keratosis of the scalp

6 citations , November 2018 in “Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy”

A wearable cap-like device using light therapy reduced scalp skin lesions by 71% and was painless.

research Combination of tacalcitol ointment and photodynamic therapy for the treatment of follicular mucinosis of the scalp

5 citations , July 2019 in “Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy”

Using tacalcitol ointment with photodynamic therapy may effectively treat follicular mucinosis with scalp hair loss.

research Mechanistic insights into 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris: targeting lipogenesis via the OLR1-Wnt/β-catenin pathway

4 citations , February 2025 in “Molecular Medicine”

5-aminolevulinic acid therapy reduces acne by decreasing fat production in skin cells.

research Development of squamous cell carcinoma from erythroplasia of Queyrat following photodynamic therapy

3 citations , May 2018 in “European Journal of Dermatology”

Photodynamic therapy may not work for erythroplasia of Queyrat and could lead to invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

research Photodynamic therapy for hair removal

3 citations , March 2013 in “QScience Connect”

Photodynamic therapy with methylene blue and a laser effectively destroys hair follicles better than traditional laser hair removal.

research Photodynamic therapy as a new therapeutic approach of oral lichen planus

3 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences”

Photodynamic therapy shows promise for oral lichen planus but needs more research for consistent results.

Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia with 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Split-Scalp Study of Efficacy and Safety

research Treatment of androgenetic alopecia with 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy: A randomized, placebo-controlled, split-scalp study of efficacy and safety

2 citations , August 2021 in “Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy”

Using 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for hair loss didn't increase hair growth but slightly reduced scalp oiliness, and it was safe with mild side effects.

research Nonpigmented hair removal using photodynamic therapy in animal model

2 citations , August 2016 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Photodynamic therapy can remove nonpigmented hair in mice and might work for humans.

research Successful in situ 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in a 53-year-old female with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

1 citations , September 2025 in “Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B”

Photodynamic therapy successfully treated skin cancer in a 53-year-old woman.

research Porphyrinoid Photosensitizers for Targeted and Precise Photodynamic Therapy: Progress in Fabrication

1 citations , February 2023 in “IntechOpen eBooks”

Targeted photodynamic therapy is a promising method for precise disease treatment and diagnosis.

research Combined protocol for the treatment of androgenic alopecia using photodynamic therapy and exosomes from Damask rose stem cells (case report)

January 2025 in “Russian Medical Inquiry”

The treatment improved hair growth and quality with minimal side effects.

research Surgery combined with photodynamic therapy for the case of perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens: A case report

January 2024 in “SAGE Open Medical Case Reports”

Combining surgery and photodynamic therapy effectively treated a rare scalp condition when other treatments failed.

research 275 Nonpigmented hair removal using photodynamic therapy

September 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Photodynamic therapy can potentially remove nonpigmented hair by damaging hair follicles.

research Topical ALA-Photodynamic Therapy for Acne Can Induce Apoptosis of Sebocytes and Down-regulate Their TLR-2 and TLR-4 Expression

37 citations , January 2011 in “Annals of Dermatology”

ALA-photodynamic therapy helps reduce acne by causing acne cell death and lowering certain skin protein levels.

research Systemic photodynamic therapy in folliculitis decalvans

14 citations , September 2017 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Systemic photodynamic therapy can effectively treat stubborn folliculitis decalvans with few side effects.

research A prospective study of daylight photodynamic therapy for treatment of actinic keratoses in an Irish population

April 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Daylight photodynamic therapy is effective and well-tolerated for treating actinic keratoses with minimal side effects.

research Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp following topical methylaminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy

52 citations , February 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

A 93-year-old woman developed a rare scalp condition after therapy, which improved with steroids, not antibiotics.

research Sunlight-powered photodynamic therapy for painless diabetic wound care

January 2026 in “National Science Review”

research A pilot study of ICG laser therapy of acne vulgaris: Photodynamic and photothermolysis treatment

108 citations , December 2003 in “Lasers in surgery and medicine”

ICG-enhanced NIR laser therapy may be a promising acne treatment with improvement and no side effects.

research Updates in therapeutics for folliculitis decalvans: A systematic review with evidence-based analysis

40 citations , August 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Clindamycin and rifampicin are the most effective treatments for folliculitis decalvans, but more research is needed.

research ADVANCES IN PSORIASIS THERAPY

20 citations , January 2000 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

New psoriasis treatments are effective but come with side effects and risks.

research Superficial Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Extensive Actinic Keratoses of the Scalp Treated with Radiation Therapy

5 citations , May 2006 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Radiation therapy successfully treated an elderly man's skin cancer and pre-cancerous scalp lesions.

South Asian Epidemic of Antifungal Therapeutic Failures: Congress Proceedings and Take-home Messages. First International Congress of SAARCUM: South Asian Alliance Against Recalcitrant Cutaneous Mycosis. 17 November 2018, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, India

research South Asian Epidemic of Antifungal Therapeutic Failures: Congress Proceedings and Take-home Messages. First International Congress of SAARCUM: South Asian Alliance against Recalcitrant Cutaneous Mycosis. 17 November 2018, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, India

2 citations , January 2019 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

The congress concluded that misuse of antifungal drugs in South Asia has led to widespread treatment failure, and new approaches and regional cooperation are needed.