VLC acne

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Tired of applying messy lotions and creams and remembering to take medications as prescribed for your acne? If so, you are not alone. Compliance and side effects of medications are the main hurdle against the control of acne.

At the Vein & Laser Center, a new procedure is now available, Photodynamic therapy (PDT), to treat active Acne, acne scars, Rosacea, sun damaged skin and other conditions.

Photodynamic therapy is a special treatment performed at the comfort of our office with the topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan®- Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), activated with the exposure to Blu-U light and laser. This is also known as “ALA/PDT” treatment.

In photodynamic therapy, treatment consists of:

	Acetone scrub and microdermabrasion. This technique is used to remove any dead skin cells on the surface of the face, which allows for better penetration of the aminolevulinic acid, Levulan®.
	Topical application of Levulan®, which is left in place for approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Levulan® is absorbed preferentially by certain structures in the skin, such as hair follicles, oil glands, bacteria, or rapidly growing cells.
	The medication is then removed using an alcohol swab, soap and water.
	Finally, the patient is treated with a laser and / or light source – Blu-U. Illumination with a high-intensity light / laser causes a reaction in the skin, resulting in destruction of the targeted tissue (the oil glands and bacteria that causes the acne).

Photodynamic therapy is a painless procedure for the patient. While initial results may be seen as early as the first session, some patients require a series of three to five sessions spaced at 2 -4 weeks intervals to see significant results. However, it really depends on the patient and the severity of the skin condition being treated. Side effects have included some slight facial redness and swelling.
Photodynamic therapy using Levulan®, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for many years to treat actinic keratosis (AKs), an early potential sign of skin cancer. Recently, short contact photodynamic therapy has proven successful in the treatment of moderate to severe cystic acne.

In addition, Photodynamic Therapy with Levulan has been used in:

	Removing precancerous skin lesions (Actenic Keratosis, AK)
	Preventing skin cancer
	Improving wrinkles, fine lines (skin rejuvenation)
	Improving large pores
	Improving skin texture
	Improving pigmentation
	Treating moderate to severe cystic acne
	Treating sebaceous hyperplasia (Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common, benign condition of sebaceous glands in adults of middle age or older. Lesions can be single or multiple and manifest as yellowish, soft, small papules on the face (particularly nose, cheeks, and forehead.)
	Improve excessive oiliness of the skin
	Treatment of Acne rosacea
	Improve acne scars
	Keratosis pilaris (severely dry skin)
	Certain types of warts and molluscum (a non-cancerous skin growth

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