Interview with Dr. Macrene Alexiades

How has Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series: Photodynamic Therapy, 3rd Edition evolved since the previous edition? How has it evolved since the first edition?

My textbook, Photodynamic Therapy, is the first comprehensive resource to cover the full range of PDT applications and protocols—from skin cancer and acne to rejuvenation and antimicrobial treatments. Although earlier editions were published in 2005 and 2007, the field was still in its early stages with respect to cutaneous applications. This updated edition offers readers a thorough, well-researched, and authoritative exploration of PDT in dermatology and related disciplines.

What is the most exciting aspect of the Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series: Photodynamic Therapy, 3rd Edition? What chapter or topic covered in the new edition are you most excited about? 

What excites me most is having brought together the world’s leading experts in PDT, each contributing their specialized knowledge across various applications. Their insights within their respective disciplines make this content truly invaluable.  I am especially proud of the in-depth coverage devoted to the use of PDT in high-risk skin cancer patients, an essential read for anyone in the field of dermatology. Leading global experts in the management of skin cancer in organ transplant recipients and immunosuppressed individuals share their comprehensive guidance on care strategies, detailing the protocols and application of PDT as a first-line preventive and therapeutic approach.

Who will find the greatest value from Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series: Photodynamic Therapy, 3rd Edition and why? Has the audience changed since the book first published?

This cutting-edge, comprehensive textbook on photodynamic therapy in dermatology is of immense value to a wide range of professionals. Dermatologists, dermatologic surgeons, and oncologists seeking to maintain current knowledge in their field and expand their therapeutic arsenal will benefit from the in-depth protocols and evidence-based applications across conditions ranging from actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancers to acne and infections. Residents and fellows in training will find it an essential resource for understanding both the foundational science and clinical applications of PDT. Additionally, researchers and clinicians involved in transplant medicine or the care of immunosuppressed patients will gain critical insights into PDT’s role as a preventive and therapeutic modality in high-risk populations. This textbook also serves as a practical guide for healthcare providers integrating PDT into clinical practice, offering clarity on technique, patient selection, safety, and outcomes.

What new ideas, practices, or procedures would you like to highlight for the Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series: Photodynamic Therapy, 3rd Edition? 

The current edition represents a completely new and groundbreaking textbook on PDT—distinct from earlier versions. Over the past 25 years, the field has matured significantly, evolving into a well-established therapeutic modality. PDT is now recognized as a first-line treatment for numerous skin cancers and precancerous conditions, with expanding applications in follicular disorders and cutaneous infections. This textbook captures that evolution, offering a comprehensive and up-to-date resource that reflects the depth and breadth of current clinical practice.

What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve? 

Looking ahead, I envision photodynamic therapy expanding beyond surface applications to include internal dermatologic and mucocutaneous conditions through the use of fiberoptic delivery systems. This advancement would allow for targeted treatment of cancers and precancerous lesions in anatomically challenging or internal sites, such as the oral cavity, anogenital region, and other mucosal surfaces. Additionally, the ability to irradiate broader internal areas could significantly enhance our capacity to manage chronic, treatment-resistant infections and efficiently disrupt biofilms. PDT also holds promise in the management of chronic, non-healing cutaneous ulcers—particularly in immunocompromised or vascularly compromised patients—by combining antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative effects. These future directions underscore PDT’s potential to transform dermatologic care across a wide spectrum of complex conditions.

Is there anything else about the Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series: Photodynamic Therapy, 3rd Edition you’d like to say? 

In today’s rapidly evolving medical landscape, the knowledge contained in this textbook is essential. It is imperative for all dermatologists to have a thorough understanding of managing actinic keratosis and precancerous lesions, including the application of photodynamic therapy, so they can deliver proper informed consent and present patients with comprehensive treatment options. For dermatologists and oncologists who care for immunosuppressed individuals and organ transplant recipients, a thorough understanding of photodynamic therapy as a first-line treatment in specific conditions is critical. Mastery of the protocols, applications, and evolving science presented in this work is fundamental to delivering the highest standard of care and staying at the forefront of therapeutic innovation in dermatology.

About the Author

Macrene Alexiades, MD PhD FAAD is a globally recognized physician-scientist in the fields of dermatology, genetics, and lasers and energy-based devices. She received three degrees from Harvard University:  BA from Harvard University, MD from Harvard Medical School; and a PhD in Genetics from Harvard University, and achieved the rare status of Double Board-Certification in Dermatology in the European Union and US. She has received the Fulbright Scholarship in molecular biology and biotechnology; the Harvard Medical School Dean’s Report, Paul Dudley White Award, Husik Prize, Fitzpatrick Clinical Innovations Award, and Melanie Grossman Award Leadership, Mentorship and Public Advocacy for Women in Medical Science; and grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute and Radcliffe College. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the American Dermatologic Association. She is Associate Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor at Sygros Hospital, University of Athens and Founder Director of the Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Manhattan and Hamptons, with practices in London and Greece. She is an attending at Yale/New Haven Hospital and Yale/West Haven VA Hospital and has numerous publications and discoveries in the fields of basic science, dermatology and laser surgery. She runs clinical research trials and a basic science laboratory alongside her active skincare MACRENE actives.

She has served on numerous academic and pharmaceutical boards.  She is Assistant Editor for Dermatologic Surgery, Associate Editor for Journal of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, andand reviewer for over 12 medical journals. She has written two textbooks entitled, Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery (Wolters Kluwer Lippincott) and Photodynamic Therapy (Elsevier).

She is a lead genetics investigator for Allergan AbbVie and lead clinical investigator and lead author on seminal articles spanning the newest class of hyaluronic acid, the first FDA approved acne laser published in the JAAD, the first consensus article on best practices for lasers in urogynecologic health, and field-defining research on radiofrequency microneedling, and has been reported to be the most highly cited author in her department.

Dr. Alexiades continues to see dermtologic patients in her practice alongside running her research clinic and laboratory.

Purchase your copy of Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series: Photodynamic Therapy, 3rd Edition here!