Laser therapy
Dermatological laser therapy Lugano
Laser on the skin for chronic wounds, herpes, acne and warts, with photosensitising creams when needed. Actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease and superficial basal-cell carcinomas are treated with dermatological PDT, described on its own page.
- The dermatological indications listed on the Laser therapy page
- Photosensitising creams (5-ALA or MAL) when PDT is used
- PDT does not replace standard cancer treatment
Two ways of using light on the skin
Dermatological laser
Laser light on the skin for inflammation, wounds and the lesions listed on the Laser therapy page. Effects can be supported by photosensitising creams such as 5-ALA.
Dermatological PDT
A photosensitising cream on the lesion, then red light or laser. Established indications: actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, superficial basal-cell carcinomas, following the European Morton 2019 guidelines.
What it is not
It is not a surgical laser for aesthetic cutting. PDT is one option among other established treatments for certain superficial lesions, chosen at the visit and in coordination with those already treating you. It does not replace standard cancer treatment.
Interstitial laser
The catheter that takes light deeper (down to about 12 cm) is a different technique, described on the interstitial laser page. It is not an indication of this dermatology page.
Areas of application
Inflammation and wounds
Chronic wounds, herpes, acne and warts.
Early stages and superficial tumours
Actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, superficial basal-cell carcinomas: on the PDT pathway, not as the only cancer treatment.
When another technique is needed
Laser carried deep by a catheter is another technique, described on the interstitial laser page.
Limits
Dermatological PDT can burn or hurt during illumination; the skin remains temporarily photosensitive. Indication, expected benefits and risks are defined at the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as PDT?
Dermatological laser treats inflammation and skin lesions. PDT adds a photosensitising cream and has its own indications, on the photodynamic therapy page.
Do you treat skin cancer here?
Actinic keratoses, Bowen and superficial basal-cell carcinomas are assessed for dermatological PDT. It does not replace standard cancer treatment.
What do the studies say?
For chronic wounds, a meta-analysis of 11 trials finds that diabetic foot ulcers heal more often with low-level laser (Chen 2025). For recurrent cold sores, six clinical trials describe laser as effective in treating and preventing episodes, with very different parameters from one trial to the next (Al-Maweri 2018). For acne and stubborn warts, the European guidelines recommend PDT on high-quality evidence, although it is not yet approved for these indications (Morton 2020).
Is it covered by insurance?
The physician holds the RME quality label for acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and in Ticino the practice bills complementary insurers: with complementary insurance, under certain conditions, the treatment can be reimbursed. Patients with basic insurance only receive a clear cost estimate at the visit and pay directly.
Scientific sources
- Morton CA, et al. European Dermatology Forum guidelines on topical photodynamic therapy 2019 Part 1: treatment delivery and established indications. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33:2225–2238. doi:10.1111/jdv.16017
- Morton CA, et al. European Dermatology Forum guidelines on topical photodynamic therapy 2019 Part 2: emerging indications – field cancerization, photorejuvenation and inflammatory/infective dermatoses. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34:17–29. doi:10.1111/jdv.16044
- Chen B, et al. Intervention effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on grade I–II ulcers in diabetic foot patients: A meta-analysis. Wound Repair Regen. 2025;33:e70021. doi:10.1111/wrr.70021
- Al-Maweri SA, et al. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in management of recurrent herpes labialis: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci. 2018;33:1423–1430. doi:10.1007/s10103-018-2542-5
Related treatments
This therapy is part of Laser therapy.
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
For musculoskeletal pain the practice follows several routes, often combined. The specialist visit, with ultrasound when needed, clarifies which one is indicated in your case.
Rheumatology
Diagnosis and treatment plan: the first visit when the pain is in the joints, back or tendons.
Acupuncture
Needles, needle-free laser or ear acupuncture, performed by a specialist physician.
Interventional pain therapy
Ultrasound-guided injections of joints and soft tissues, with hyaluronic acid or PRP when indicated.
PRP for joints and tendons
Plasma prepared from the patient's own blood and injected into tendons and joints.
The information on this page is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. The indication, expected benefits and risks of every treatment are assessed individually during the specialist consultation.
Let's assess laser on the skin together
The indication (laser, PDT or another technique) is defined after the specialist consultation.
We accept referrals and second-opinion requests from your physician, via HIN. dr.djordjevic@hin.ch
How to reach us
In Lugano, a short walk from USI and EOC
The practice is centrally located in Italian-speaking Switzerland, also reachable by car and by train from Mendrisio, Bellinzona, Locarno and Chiasso.
By car: the practice's own car park is right in front. By public transport: a short walk from USI.
Address
Via Alessandro Volta 1
6900 Lugano
Opening hours
Monday–Friday 08:00–16:30
Saturday and Sunday closed
Phone
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