Photodynamic Treatment

PhotoDynamic Therapy is one of our more aggressive treatments for resistant acne, oily skin and precancerous lesions.

PDT offers life-altering improvement for clients suffering from acne when most other treatments has failed. Cystic acne, the kind that creates painful inflamed lumps deep in the skin, is a harsh reality for thousands of teens and adults. The psychosocial impact of this type of acne can be overwhelming leading to depression, shyness and loss of confidence.

Photodynamic acne therapy involves the application of Levulan ( 5-aminolevulinic acid), a photosensitizing agent, which when activated with blue-light results in significant improvement in moderate to severe cystic acne. Blue Light Levulan acne treatment involves three mechanisms of action against acne. Levulan treatment inactivates the bacteria that trigger acne; exfoliates the skin to unclog pores;  and the most exciting mechanism is that Levulan treatment decreases the activity the sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin. This is exciting because sebaceous glands are the root cause in the formation of acne hence the treatment can have a lasting effect even on severe acne.

Resistant and cystic acne frequently fails to respond to typical measures of control. A safe topical two-step treatment which chemically coats and then destroys acne bacteria offers a new solution to our clients.

When used to treat pre cancerous lesions, the light sensitizing agent, Levulan is absorbed by the cancer cells and make it sensitive to light. When the optical (light) energy at the proper wavelength is directed at the area of the precancerous lesions,  the drug is activated and the cancer cells are destroyed. It is a great alternative to other treatments of precancerous lesions such as freezing, electrocautery or excision of the lesions. The lesions are removed and pigments are improved resulting  in a more even skin texture and color.