PhotoDynamic therapy- Photodynamic Therapy is a two step technique that has been FDA approved for the treatment of some skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses.    It is a combination of Levulan and blue light treatments.  First the Levulan is applied to the skin in the form of a liquid which is left on the area for an hour.  The solution is absorbed by the skin cancer or AK cells where it is converted to a chemical that makes the cells extremely sensitive to light. Next you’re placed under the blue light.  When the skin cancer or AK cells are exposed to the blue light, this light causes reactions which destroy only the damaged cells. 

Actinic keratosis are rough-textured, dry, scaly lesions that are caused from exposure to the sun that accumulates over time. They can range in color from skin toned to red or brown. They can also range in size and texture.  AK’s, if left untreated may progress into skin cancers.  In most cases when AK’s and most skin cancers are caught in the early stages they are treatable and curable.

During the blue light treatment, which lasts 3 minutes or longer depending on what the doctor finds necessary,  you may experience some tingling, stinging or prickling sensations.

Most patients receiving Photodynamic Therapy experience 75-100% clearance of AK’s after multiple treatments.  Photodynamic Therapy is covered by most insurance companies.

Blue light treatment for persistent acne.  Hard to treat, resistant active acne combines light and many times a chemical peel that targets and destroys acne activity.  Acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands in the skin.   The sebaceous glands, triggered by the hormone androgen, produce sebum (oil) in the skin.  Androgen is present in both men and women.  Production of this hormone is highest during puberty, but it is always present in the body.  When androgen levels increase the sebaceous glands release sebum which can clog the pores, sebum is then trapped beneath the skin causing whiteheads and blackheads causing Propronibacterium acnes (P Acnes).   P. acnes can cause inflammation and pus and can result in papules or pustules.   These can then turn into nodules under the skin.

This blue light treatment for acne kills the P. Acnes bacteria thereby treating the acne.  You will have a series of six light treatments once or twice a week for three weeks (or as the doctor finds necessary) at the discretion of the doctor you may or may not have a chemical applied to your face before the light treatment.  Many patients (up to 80%) see marked improvement in hard to treat acne.