Photodynamic Acne Treatment (PDT)

Photodynamic Acne Therapy (PDT) is a safe and highly effective method of treating not only moderate to severe acne, but a variety of skin conditions.  (PDT) is a proven alternative to systemic* drugs such as Accutane®, which carries significant risks and side effects.   Acne can be difficult to treat.  Finding the best treatment for each individual can be trial and error because so many factors come into play.     Diet, stress, and chocolate are often blamed for causing acne, but it is more likely that genetics, hormones, clogged pores and bacteria are the major causes of acne.  These factors cause the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in the skin) to produce excess oil (sebum), which combined with dead skin cells, clog the opening of the pores. Bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) form in the pores creating red inflamed pimples, pus filled whiteheads or black heads.

But now we have found a very effective approach to hard to treat acne.  Levulan®, a clear painless solution, is applied to your skin and left on for 30-minutes to several hours.   The Levulan® is absorbed by active cells like acne sebaceous glands, making the targeted acne cells more sensitive to the light. During the procedure, Levulan® is activated with the correct wavelength of light within the non-UV blue spectrum. This combined interaction of the solution and the light is what gives rise to the term "photodynamic therapy." Treatments target and destroy acne activity leaving your skin smoother and in many cases makes it possible to avoid or discontinue the use of antibiotics such as Accutane®.

PDT improves:

• Moderate to persistent acne in teens and adults
• Large pores
• Oil gland production
• Acne Vulgaris
• Acne Rosacea
• Actnic Keratosis (sun spots)
• Sun Damage
• Fine Lines & Wrinkles
• Blotchy pigmentation

CONDITION TREATED: moderate to severe acne in teens and adults.

TREATMENT:  Application by Levulan which is activated by blue light or IPL light.

RESULTS:  Destroys most common bacteria that cause acne.

RECOMMENDED # OF TREATMENTS:  Series of 6 to 8 treatments.  Recommended acne home skin care products.

TREATMENT INTERVAL:  Every 2 weeks

TREATMENT TIME:  1-4 hours.  Light micro followed by the application of Levulan.  Client must sit with the Levulan on the skin for 1-3 hours.  30 minutes for Laser Light application.

RECOVERY TIME:  Client MUST stay out of sunlight and bright lights for 24-48 hours.  Redness and peeling can last up to a week.

Click here to read more about Light -Based Acne Treatments -

Q&A: What is Levulan®

Levulan is a 20% solution of Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA). ALA is a "natural" product found in all humans throughout the body.  Levulan®?   has been used extensively for the treatment of a variety of different skin conditions including actinic keratosis, sun damage, fine lines, and blotchy pigmentation are also improved because of the positive effect of Levulan®?   and the light treatment.

*Systemic treatments are any medications that are taken orally, injected or infused that affect the entire body system.