Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with Levulan™
Effective and beautifying skin rejuvenation for rosacea, sun damage, age spots, actinic keratoses (AKs) and acne.
Upcoming Free Educational Seminar Wednesday, October 1, 2008
With Levulan™ Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) greatly improves sun-damaged skin, fine lines, blotchy pigmentation and rough skin patches. PDT even has the unique ability to minimize pores and reduce oil glands. The therapy involves an application of a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan. Levulan is a substance that is naturally occurring in the body. When applied topically, it is selectively absorbed into rapidly growing photodamaged skin, sebaceous glands, hair follicles and actinic keratoses (AKs). Using light from either our IPL or BLU-U light sources converts the Levulan into a photosensitizer agent, and it destroys the target cells. The skin improves in both texture and tone. If you have large pores of active acne, you'll see amazing results. |
The preparation of the skin, incubation time, wavelength and light source used to activate the medication is dependant upon the area of the body being treated, as well as the condition.
Topical Levulan enhances the efficacy of the PDT treatments for facial photoaging, and often results in decreasing the number of treatments needed for optimal results. Patients with severe sun-damaged skin manifested by actinic keratoses, texture and tone changes may achieve excellent results.
To achieve maximum improvement, a series of three treatments at 2 to 4 week intervals are most effective. Some patients with actinic keratoses will achieve results in only one treatment. More treatments may be done in the future, as necessary, to maintain the results of the newly rejuvenated skin.
The disadvantages of PDT are that the treated skin may appear red, with peeling for 2 to 7 days post-treatment. Some may experience swelling especially around the lip and/or eye areas. Pigmented lesions will temporarily darken and peel off, leaving a normal appearance to the skin. Repeat treatments may be necessary, as this is not an exact science.
The advantages of PDT are that it is an easier treatment than using liquid nitrogen, 5-FU, or Aldara. It has minimal side effects and provides rapid healing. There is a reduction in scarring, and patients see improvements of the entire facial area treated, instead of just in spot areas.
Photodynamic FAQs
What is Photodynamic therapy?
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that uses a photosensitizing drug called Levulan. Which when applied to the skin and exposed to an IPL or BLU-U light source, selectively removes damaged skin cells. In dermatology, PDT has been successful in removing actinic keratoses (solar damaged skin cells) and basal cell carcinoma. This had led to an interest in treating acne, premalignant lesions, rosacea, sebaceous hyperplasia and pigmentation.
What is the process for PDT?
The skin in the area to be treated is cleansed and prepped with a microdermabrasion treatment or an acetone scrub. The Levulan is applied and incubated for 30 to 120 minutes. The time is determined by the areas and skin conditions being treated.
Is the treatment painful?
The Levulan stings when applied but quickly subsides. You will be asked to remain totally out of the sun for the first 48 hours to prevent reactivation of the Levulan. You may experience a sunburn effect the first 2 days following application. Beginning day 3 your skin may feel tight and begin to peel.
How many treatments will I need?
It is recommended that you receive 1 to 3 treatments with the Levulan at 2 to 4 week intervals. Your treatment schedule will be discussed with you.
What are the advantages of PDT?
For the treatment of rosacea:
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease that causes facial redness. You may mistake some of its characteristics — small, red, pus-filled bumps or pustules — for acne. In fact, rosacea has been called adult acne or acne rosacea, but the disease has little to do with the pimples and blackheads that commonly afflict teenagers. Rosacea affects mostly adults, usually people with fair skin, between the ages of 30 and 60. About 14 million Americans have this chronic skin condition. Although it's more common in women, men may develop more apparent signs of the disorder. It's not life threatening, but it can affect your appearance and lower your self-esteem.
For treatment of actinic keratoses:
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are dry, scaly, rough-textured patches or lesions that form on the outermost layer of the skin after years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as sunlight. These lesions typically range in color from skin-toned to reddish brown and in size, from that of a pinhead to larger than a quarter.
PDT treatment for AKs is easier than liquid nitrogen, 5-FU, or Aldera because it is virtually painless, and the side effects are minimal with quick recovery time. The scarring is reduced and the cosmetic outcome is improved. With PDT the entire area is treated instead of spot treatments resulting in the clearance of subclinical lesions. It has both medical and cosmetic benefits.
For acne:
PDT is close to painless which patients love! The therapy provides improved compliance, as there are no pills or creams to remember. No oral antibiotics or Accutane are necessary. It kills the acne bacteria, as well as reduces the sebaceous glands that result in acne. It restores the skin’s integrity resulting in the overall improvement of the acne condition.
For Photorejuvenation:
One Photorejuvenation treatment with PDT is equivalent to 3 to 5 treatments without Levulan. You can remove precancerous cells, which ordinary photorejuvenation treatments will not do. You can also reduce the oiliness of the sebaceous skin and reduce sebaceous hyperplasia.
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