The only difference between these two treatments is the light source that is used. In Photodynamic Therapy, an artificial light in the form of a lamp or a laser is used. In Daylight Photodynamic Therapy, the light source is natural daylight.

Most people can carry on with normal activities 24-48 hours after treatment. The key thing is to avoid direct sunlight during this time as you may be more sensitive to light. You will gradually become less sensitive to light and things will return to normal.

BCCs (also known as rodent ulcers) are a type of skin cancer that either takes the form of a single bump or a series of small bumps. Multiple lesions are sometimes found in the same patient. This type of skin cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body, however, early treatment is recommended because, if ignored, the tumour can enlarge and become locally invasive.

It is recommended that you cover up on your way home from the treatment to avoid sunlight as much as possible. If the treatment is on your face, it is a good idea to bring a hat, scarf or sunglasses. If the treatment is on your body, wear clothes which will cover any exposed skin.

An AK is the term used for a precancerous lesion of the skin arising as a consequence of overexposure to sunlight, resulting in the skin cells growing at an abnormally fast rate. AKs are usually found on the face, tips of ears, backs of hands, forearms and lower legs, and are reddish-brown in colour with a rough rather warty surface.

Bowen’s disease is the term used for a slightly more advanced actinic keratosis, where the abnormal skin cells occupy the full thickness of the outer layers of the skin. They can look similar to AKs, perhaps being slightly thicker and more warty, and more commonly found on the lower legs. Single or multiple lesions can be found. The patches tend to grow very slowly, and rarely transform into a true skin cancer called a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).