CHEVY CHASE, Md. -- It's the price Debby Robinson pays for having spent so much time in the sun over the years and this could be just the beginning. Her doctor, Chevy Chase dermatologist Tina West, sees even more signs of sun damage.

Robinson has lesions known as actinic keratoses that often lead to skin cancer. But, a procedure known as photo dynamic therapy, or PDT, can get rid of those lesions before that happens.

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PDT is a two-step process: First, a special chemical solution that makes the damaged cells sensitive to light is applied to the skin. It's painless. Then, the patient sits under special blue light. That combination kills pre-cancerous cells and can attack cells below the skin's surface.

"We're treating things that we can't even see visibly on the surface of the skin and you're getting things preventing these pre-cancers and cancers forming in addition to treating ones that are already there," said West.

According to Robinson, it is a nice alternative to surgery when it comes to treating skin damage. "This was a very simple, very relaxed procedure. I'm thrilled," said Robinson.

While some patients are using PDT to prevent cancer, others use it to treat acne.

"The oil glands are destroyed like a target," said West. "It's thought to be in many cases equal to the efficacy of something like accutane."

West said PDT is safer than accutane because it's a completely topical treatment and doesn't require ingesting anything orally.

Whether it's being used to treat skin damage or acne, West said patients need several treatments.

Health Encyclopedia:

• Skin Cancer Overview