Photodynamic therapy

Levulan and BLU-U treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a special treatment performed with a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan activated with the correct wavelength of light. This is also known as “ALA/PDT” treatment. These treatments remove sun damaged pre-cancerous zones and spots called actinic keratosis. Sun damage, fine lines, acne, and blotchy pigmentation may also be improved because of the positive effect of Levulan and the light treatment.

Patients with severe sun damage skin manifested by actinic keratosis, texture, and tone changes including mottled pigmentation and skin laxity may see excellent results.

To achieve maximum improvement of pre-cancerous (actinic keratosis) sun damage, skin tone and texture, a series of 3 treatments 2-4 weeks apart is the most effective. More treatments can be done at periodic intervals in the future to maintain the rejuvenated appearance of the skin.

The advantages to this treatment are as follows:

• Easier for patients that repeated topical liquid nitrogen, Efudex or Aldara because the side effects are minimal, rapid healing, and only 1-3 treatments required.
• The light only penetrates less than 2mm deep resulting in no scarring, where as a laser penetrates much deeper
• There is no discomfort involved
• The scalp can also be treated
• Levulan improves the whole facial area treated creating one color, texture and tone rather than just spot treating the liquid nitrogen, cautery and surgery.