What is PhotoDynamic Therapy?
PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT) is a special treatment performed with a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan® Kerastick® (5-aminolevulinic acid or ALA) activated with the correct wavelength of light. This is also known as "ALA/PDT treatment". These treatments remove sun damaged pre-cancerous zones and pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. Sun damage, fine lines and blotchy pigmentation are also improved because of the positive effect of Levulan® and the light treatment. ALA/PDT treatment also has the unique ability to minimize pores and reduce oil glands, effectively treating stubborn acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, and improve the appearance of some acne scars.
Levulan® is a naturally occurring photosensitizing compound, which has been approved by the FDA to treat pre-cancerous skin lesions called actinic keratosis as well as for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Levulan® is applied to the skin and subsequently "activated" by specific wavelengths of light, such as the Blue Light. This process of activating Levulan® is to improve the appearance and reduce acne rosacea, acne vulgaris, sebaceous hyperplasia, decrease oiliness of the skin, and improve texture and smoothness by minimizing pore size. Any pre-cancerous lesions are simultaneously treated. The improvements of these skin conditions (other than actinic keratoses and acne vulgaris) are considered an "off label" use of Levulan®.
How much improvement can I expect?
Patients with severe sun damaged skin manifested by actinic keratoses, texture, and tone changes including mottled pigmentation and skin laxity may see excellent results. You may also see improvement of large pores and pitted acne scars. Active acne can improve dramatically.
How many treatments will it take to the see the best results?
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. Some patients with only mild hyperpigmentation or actinic keratoses are happy with just one treatment. More treatments can be done at periodic intervals in the future to maintain the rejuvenated appearance of the skin.
What are the disadvantages?
Following PDT, the treated areas can appear red with some peeling for 2 - 7 days. Some patients have an exuberant response to PDT and experience marked redness of their skin. Temporary swelling of the lips and around your eyes can occur for a few days. Darker pigmented patches called sun spots can become temporarily darker and then peel off leaving normal skin. (This usually occurs over 7 - 10 days.) These side effects are rare and most patients experience little downtime. Repeat treatments may be necessary depending upon the extent of your skin damage.
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