Acne Treatment
Multiple treatments are available:
- Blue light
- ALA PDT (Photodynamic Therapy)
- Peeling
What is ALA PDT?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that utilizes a drug, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, and a particular type of light source. When photosensitizers are exposed to a specified wavelength of light, they produce a form of oxygen that kills nearby cells. This wavelength determines how far the light can travel into the body.
How does it work and what are the results?
When delivered to targeted tissues, Leluvan® (5-aminolevulinic acid), is taken up and converted by fast growing cells into protoporphyrin IX, a potent photosensitizer, which can then be activated by an appropriate light source. From the time the photosensitizing agent is applied, up until the light therapy begins, take the necessary precautions to minimize exposure to light on the face and scalp area. Sunscreen will not protect the skin from photosensitivity.
Aminolevulinic acid (photosensitizing agent) is applied topically (directly to the skin) to treat actinic keratosis (AK) lesions. AKs are rough, scaly patches on the skin, caused by excessive exposure to the sun, and can sometimes progress into dangerous skin cancers. The lesions are sensitive to light, but the rest of the body is not. A light source is used to activate the photosensitizing agent and actininc keratosis cells are destroyed.
The day after the photosensitizing agent is applied, the client will be exposed to a light soure for approximately 15 minutes. The client may feel stinging or burning with the lesion when it is exposed to the light source. The lesion will scale and crust for a few days before healing. Patients can be treated eight weekes after the first application if a lesion does not completely go away. The treatment is painless. Mild to moderate redness (similar to a mild sunburn) may be experienced for aperiod of a few days and there may be some mild flaking of the skin.
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