Our photo dynamic therapy uses Metvix which is a very effective treatment option to treat precancerous skin lesions. Pre-cancerous skin lesions can develop further into bigger lesions and invade surrounding tissues; therefore, they should not be left untreated. It is advisable to get any abnormal lesions checked  by a qualified health practitioner that raises your concerns.

The most common pre-cancerous lesions are superficial basal cell carcinoma, commonly known as BCC and Actinic Keratosis (AK).

Basal Cell Carcinoma is a fairly common type of skin cancer. It should however not be left untreated as it could grow and invade surrounding tissue.

Actinic Keratosis is the most common pre-cancerous skin lesion. If left untreated, they can sometimes develop into Squamous Cell Carcinoma, commonly known as SCC, which is a very aggressive type of cancer that invades deeper layers of skin and potentially to other organs.

If you have been diagnosed with pre-cancerous skin lesions, our Cosmetic Dr may recommend a treatment with Metvix.

Just before your application of Metvix, your skin is prepared with a microdermabrasion to allow the Metvix crème to penetrate the skin more efficiently. The skin is absorbed completely in 30 min… The patient needs sun exposure immediately after the treatment for 2.5 hours. Overcast weather does not impact the effectiveness of the treatment, but it should not be raining. The patient should also not just sit in the shade. It is best to take a walk. The sun slowly activates the crème solution which means less pain and discomfort. The patient washes the face with mild cleanser and water.

What to expect after your treatment

Metvix attaches itself to abnormal cells, even to areas that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Treatment response may vary between patients. Normal side effects to the skin can be from mild peeling and crusting to redness and severe crusting to the skin. These skin responses are considered very normal and nothing to worry about. We ask the patient to allow the skin to heal itself naturally and not pick on any scabs or crusts to avoid scaring and hypo pigmentation.  An aftercare pack is supplied with mild skin cleanser and moisturizer to hydrate the skin. We also offer LED light therapy post treatment to help with the healing process. Patients with questions and concerns are invited to contact the clinic for further discussions.

This photo dynamic therapy can also give your skin a rejuvenation effect. Your skin is left with a smoother complexion and an improved skin appearance.

Please phone us if you have concerns regarding your skins appearance for a consultation with our Cosmetic Dr.