What is Photodynamic Therapy?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment performed with a topical medication called Levulan® activated with blue light called the BLU-U®. Levulan® has been used extensively for the treatment of a variety of different skin conditions, and it is approved by the FDA for the treatment of sun damaged skin. BLU-U® light treatment has the unique ability to reduce oil glands, effectively treating acne, without oral medication. In addition, these treatments remove the pre-cancerous spots called actinic keratoses, which are caused by sun damage.
 

What can Photodynamic Therapy do?

Active acne can improve dramatically. You may also see improvement of large pores, less oil on the skin, and generally smoother, more uniform skin. For the person with severe sun damage, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment can be done on the same day, which gives excellent improvement in skin tone and texture, darker brown spots, and broken blood vessels, in addition to treating pre-skin cancers. The majority of pre-skin cancers clear with one treatment.
 

How many treatments be needed?

To achieve maximum improvement of acne, a series of 4-5 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart is most effective. Most patients with actinic keratoses achieve good results with one treatment. Periodic treatments are typically needed to maintain your results.
 

What can I expect?

First, a light microdermabrasion will be performed to exfoliate your skin. Acetone is then applied to clean the skin, followed by Levulan® to the area that is going to be treated. Occasionally there is some stinging when the Levulan® is applied. For acne, Levulan® is left on for 60 minutes before sitting in front of the BLU-U® Light for approximately 8-15 minutes. For treating sun damage, the Levulan® may be left from 2 to 24 hours depending on the area. While sitting at the blue light, people do notice a slight burning sensation that peaks at around three minutes.

What can I expect after treatment?

It is imperative that your skin is not exposed to sunlight for 24 hours after having a treatment, due to sun sensitivity from the Levulan®. Following the procedure, the treated areas can appear red with some peeling for 2-7 days. Patients can have a variable redness and peeling on their skin. It is okay to wear make-up after treatment.

How much does BLU-U® Photodynamic Therapy Cost?

$250 per light treatment (per area) + $150 for each additional Levulan® stick. Prices may vary based on individual needs and the size of the treated area.