Aesthetic Services

Levulan PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT)

There are 2 products that can both eradicate the bacteria and reduce the production of sebum that contribute to the formation of acne; Acutane and 5-aminolevulinic acid, or otherwise known as Levulan Photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Treatment with Acutane can be very effective. However, treatment time may require 6 months or more. Frequent labs are needed to assess the integrity of the liver, given the potential toxic nature of Acutane. Also, one should expect the common occurrence of dry, cracked skin, and random nose bleeds.

Contrastly, Levulan PDT has a short, predictable recovery time of 2-4 days during which the treated epidermis (skin) undergoes a chemical peel. After the 5-aminolevulinic acid is applied to the skin, the patient may be asked to wait 1-3 hours to allow the medication to incubate. The patient then returns to the office to receive either "Power Levulan" treatment with exposure to an IPL (photo-facial) treatment to activate the Levulan more deeply into the skin and/or receive a Blu-U treatment that also serves to treat the acne laden area, but also serves to activate the 5-aminolevulinic acid more superficially.

Usually, 1-3 Levulan PDT treatments are required for optimal results. It may be unrealistic for the patient to expect miraculous results with only one treatment.

The benefits of Levulan PDT are that the patient receives a medical grade skin peel that can rejuvenate the skin, and inactivate the bacteria and sebaceous glands causing the acne. This is all provided without the need of regular labs, liver toxification, or depression, or suicidal ideation that may be present in those taking Accutane.

As a personal note, this author took Accutane in college and did experience persistent dry skin, frequent nosebleeds, drainage from pustular acne, suicidal ideation and depression. Levulan PDT was not an option then. It is an option now.

An IPL and Blu-U light assisted Levulan PDT will help remove acne, improve pigmentation, improve skin texture (wrinkles & pores), but also help remove and thereby protect from precancerous Actinic Keratosis (AK) skin lesions.

Call us today at 480-802-6617 to schedule your consultation or to find out more information.
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