PDT Aftercare

Aftercare · Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Your PDT Aftercare Guide

Dr Lauren Young walks you through exactly what to do at home in the first few days after PDT sun-damage treatment to your face — how to stay comfortable, and what's normal to expect.

48 hrsComplete sun avoidance
3×+ / daySoak & seal routine
5–7 daysMost redness settling

First, the big one — no sun for 48 hours

Avoid the sun completely for the first 48 hours. That means no sitting near a window, blinds down, out of the sun. Any extra sunlight can over-activate the cream and cause a nasty reaction.

Getting home

  • Wear a hat and minimise sun exposure on the drive home.
  • Keep an ice pack or a cool cloth on your face — you'll be feeling warm.
  • Once home, you can wash your face straight away and keep it as cool as possible.

Your home aftercare kit

Have these ready before you settle in:

  • Clean cloths — a big pile of clean washer cloths, or a brand-new roll of Chux cloths.
  • Salty water — a large lidded container (several litres). Boil the kettle, dissolve a good few teaspoons of salt in the boiling water, let it cool, then top up with cold tap water. The ratio doesn't need to be precise. Keep this pre-made and ready to go.
  • Frozen cloths — dip several Chux in the salt water and freeze them, separated by layers of alfoil. Brilliant for cooling your face when it feels like it's burning.
  • Pain relief — paracetamol (Panadol) to stay comfortable, taken as needed every four to six hours.
  • Plain Vaseline — a big tub, plus spatulas or clean teaspoons to scoop it out (rather than your fingers).

The soak & seal routine

  1. Take a dripping-wet cloth dipped in your salt water. Lie back — in bed or a recliner — with a towel behind you to catch the drips.
  2. Rest the wet cloth on your face for a solid five to ten minutes. This is a soak, not a quick dab and wipe.
  3. The soak lifts off any ooze coming from your skin. Left alone it sets like sticky honey and becomes uncomfortable — so soak it off, then gently wipe away only what comes away easily.
  4. Smear a generous teaspoon of plain Vaseline all over your face.
  5. Repeat at least three times a day. For the first two days you may want to do it as often as every hour.

Why plain Vaseline?

Because there's nothing else in it. Even pawpaw ointment isn't ideal — it can contain added fragrance. Anything thinner than Vaseline, or any cream, has extra ingredients that can irritate and cause problems.

What's normal to expect

  • Heat: the intense heat can last anywhere from three to ten days, depending on how sensitive and reactive your skin is. Use the frozen cloths whenever you're feeling hot — the cold is very soothing.
  • Swelling: some swelling is normal, especially around the eyes and lips, where you can develop pockets of fluid. It can look alarming enough to make you wonder if you're allergic — but it's usually just a normal part of the process.
  • Redness: most patients are coming out of it by five to seven days, with redness settling enough to cover with a little makeup and feel normal going out. For some — particularly sensitive, reactive, or rosacea-prone skin — it can last two to three weeks.

We're here to guide you

If anything worries you — swelling, heat, or how your skin is settling — always check with your treating team. We're available to help and guide you on what's normal and what isn't, and to answer any questions along the way.

Q Dermatology