Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

There is no need to suffer from the emotional and disfiguring effects of severe acne and discolored skin. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a dependable treatment with proven results.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a remarkable treatment for resistant moderate to severe acne, large pores, skin texture, sun damage, rosacea, age spots and pre-cancerous lesions.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a treatment administered with a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan. Levulan is a 20% Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA), a substance that is found naturally in the human body. The area is then activated with a wavelength of BLU-U® light in combination with intense pulsed light. When combined with intense pulsed light, the effectiveness of the treatment is doubled for the improvement of skin discolorations and sun aging. This essentially takes the common procedure of “photofacial” and makes it twice as effective. At the same time, it can eliminate precancerous cells from your skin. PDT effectively treats sun damaged skin, pre-cancerous lesions, actinic keratoses, fine lines, blotchy pigmentation and large pores. PDT also has dramatic results for stubborn acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, and acne scarring.

The liquid Levulan is applied and then left on your skin for 45-60 minutes allowing it to penetrate deep into the problem area and damaged skin. The unabsorbed Levulan is removed and you are placed under a special blue light. The Levulan is absorbed by the abnormal cells and the light targets the Levulan treating the problem areas with great efficiency.

How Much Improvement Can I Expect?

Sun damage, such as brown spots, red blotches, tiny vessels, and signs of general sun aging can improve 70-80% after a series of treatments. Active acne can improve dramatically. Patients with severe sun damaged skin, actinic keratosis, uneven texture, large pores, mottled pigmentation and skin laxity see excellent results.

How Many Treatments Will It Take To See Results?

Typically you will see results after one treatment, but a series of treatments are generally needed for desired outcome. Additional treatments can be done at periodic intervals in the future to maintain the rejuvenated appearance of the skin. To achieve maximum improvement of pre-cancerous (actinic keratoses) sun damage, skin tone and texture, a series of three treatments 2-4 weeks apart is the most effective.

Following PDT, the treated areas can appear red with some peeling for 2-7 days. Some patients experience marked redness of their skin. Temporary swelling of the lips and around the eyes can occur. However, PDT is well tolerated, painless, non-invasive, requires no needles or surgery, with excellent results. After treatment a strict use of a complete sunblock is needed to reduce the likelihood of severe redness and swelling caused by the suns burning rays.

Our Patients photos before and after Photodynamic Therapy.

Using Light Therapy Alone - (BLU-U®)

It is also notable that blue light (BLU-U®) treatments alone (not in combination with the Aminolevulinic Acid) are effective in combating moderate acne; however BLU-U® has to be used several times per week. Narrow band blue light causes a photodynamic effect within the pylosebaceous gland that kills the bacteria primarily responsible for acne vulgaris.

Intense pulsed light alone is a very common procedure for sun damage, redness, and broken blood vessels of the face.  The use of PDT in combination with light is clearly superior, but the individual who cannot tolerate some “down time” from the more aggressive procedures will still benefit from light based treatment alone.

There is no need to live with sun damaged or acne affected skin because now they are highly treatable. Call today for a consultation to pursue a treatment that is right for you. 1-800-610-7484

Call 800-610-7484 for your Free Consultation.