Levulan - Photofacials with an Edge
What is Levulan Photodynamic Therapy?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is combined with a topical medication called Levulan in a procedure known as Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Photodynamic therapy is used for acne, precancerous sun spots and other uses. Sun damage, fine lines, and blotchy pigmentation are also improved due to the positive effects of this treatment. This treatment also has the unique ability to minimize pores and reduce oil glands, effectively treating stubborn acne, rosacea, and improve the appearance of some acne scars. Levulan PDT has a range of benefits that might be right for you.
While IPL by itself is effective in reducing overall sun damage, by combining the IPL treatment with Levulan® there is an increased level of improvement. You will see an even greater cosmetic benefit with each treatment – reduced pore size, more even coloured tone, smoother texture and restoration of a youthful, rejuvenated look.
Levulan® is an effective treatment for acne and skin lesions that eliminates the p. acnes bacteria in the skin. Combined with a light source, Levulan® is applied directly to the target skin areas by dabbing with a wet applicator tip of the Levulan® Kerastick®. Our BBL laser is then used to activate the Levulan® ALA, and the targeted cells are destroyed.
What else can Levulan Photodynamic Therapy be used for?
- Acne
- Severely sun damaged skin
- Enlarged Pores
- Precancerous sun spots (actinic keratoses) (Skin Cancer Prevention)
- Enlarged Oil Glands (Sebaceous Hyperplasia)
- Irregular Pigmentation
- Freckling
- Liver Spots (Solar Lentigenes)
- Uneven Skin Texture
Frequently Asked Questions about the Levulan® Kerastick® PDT system:
Will I feel any discomfort during the treatment with the Levulan® PDT system?
Probably. Although the Levulan® PDT system has been designed for less patient discomfort, many patients do report some:
- Stinging and burning
- At least 50% of patients experienced significant stinging and burning during the light treatment, usually plateauing in intensity at about 6 minutes
- Swelling and temporary reddening
- Almost all patients experienced this immediately following light treatment
This discomfort usually occurs immediately following treatment, rather than in the weeks following. Any swelling and redness will begin to subside soon after treatment and will be gone in a few weeks. Some patients have reported that the swelling is reduced even sooner.
How did patients feel about the Levulan® PDT system after treatment?
In clinical studies, 84% of patients who received treatment with the Levulan® PDT system said that they would use it again.