Photodynamic Therapy PDT
Dual Action Treatment for Acne, Sun Damage and Actinic Keratosis
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Cystic Acne, Actinic Keratoses (pre-cancerous skin growths) and Sun Damaged skin sometimes require a treatment with extra muscle behind it. PhotoDynamic Therapy is one such treatment that Dr. Cobos prefers for its quick improvement and resolution of each of these problems.
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What is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a specialized two-part treatment performed with a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan (5-aminolevulinic acid or ALA) activated by a specific wavelength of medical light. This is also known as "ALA or PDT treatment", Levulan photofacial or Photodynamic Acne Therapy.
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PDT for Pre-cancerous Growths:
PhotoDynamic Therapy treatments remove sun damaged pre-cancerous zones and spots called actinic keratoses (AK).
PDT for Sun Damaged Skin:
You don't have to have acne or AKs to be a candidate for PDT. Sun damage, fine lines, and blotchy pigmentation are also improved because of the regeneration effect of Levulan and the light treatment.
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Video- PDT for Sun Damage & Actinic Keratoses
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PDT for Moderate to Severe and Cystic Acne:
ALA/PDT treatment also has the unique ability to minimize pores and reduce oil glands, effectively treating stubborn acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, and improving the appearance of some acne scars.
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Video- PDT for Acne
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PDT for Acne - Advantages over standard Acne medications
PDT is more effective than oral antibiotics and topical medicines like Retin-A, Tazorac, Benzyl Peroxide, etc, combined. Antibiotics have potential side effects and most teens have problems with taking them on a required schedule. Topical medicines require application every day, and can irritate and dry out your skin.
A short series of Photodynamic Acne treatments can have your skin cleared for up to 18 months. Compared to months of waiting for serious improvement using less effective measures, the short 3-4 day downtime is insignificant.
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A PDT series will help smooth your skin texture and to some degree minimize acne scars. By controlling acne in the earlier stages, you can prevent many of the potential scars. Milder acne may not require this level of treatment and may respond quickly with Blu Light alone
PhotoDynamic Therapy for Photo Rejuvenation
Equal to almost 3 IPL treatments. If you are willing to tolerate a short amount of downtime you will experience results very quickly. Most noted side effect is swelling around the eyes and lips. Scheduling needs to take into consideration the 24 to 48 hours you will need to stay inside.
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Your PDT procedure
First, your skin is "prepped" by a special oil-removing cleanser. Then, the Levulan is painted on your skin where treatment is needed. The solution is allowed to penetrate for 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of problem and the severity. The excess Levulan is removed and you are placed in front of blue light or in some instances, Dr. Cobos or her trained RNP or PA will perform a laser treatment.
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The laser light or blue light is the switch which turns on the action of the Levulan, causing abnormal cells of acne, AK, or sun damaged skin to self-destruct. Some redness and peeling will occur over the next 2 to 7 days, similar to a sunburn reaction.
Prior to leaving the office, you will have a strong sun screen applied to your treated skin and be cautioned to stay out of the sun for the next 24 to 48 hours. This is very important as sun exposure following PDT may cause an intense phototoxic response.
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Photodynamic Therapy with Levulan is used for:
- Removing pre-cancerous skin lesions
- Preventing skin cancer
- Improving wrinkles
- Improving pores
- Improving skin texture
- Improving pigmentation
- Treating moderate to severe cystic acne
- Treating sebaceous hyperplasia
- Treating keratoses pilaris
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How much improvement can I expect?
If you have severely sun damaged skin manifested by Actinic Keratoses, texture, and tone changes including mottled pigmentation and skin laxity, you'll likely see excellent results. You may also see improvement of large pores and pitted acne scars. Active acne can improve dramatically and PDT is becoming a much-preferred therapy by many doctors for cystic acne.
How many treatments will it take to see the "best" results?
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To achieve maximum improvement of pre-cancerous (actinic keratoses) sun damage, skin tone and texture, a series of 2-3 treatments 2-4 weeks apart is most effective. Some patients with sparse actinic keratoses are satisfied with a single treatment. Additional treatments at periodic intervals can be performed to maintain improvements.
Download Actinic Keratosis Brochure
What are the disadvantages?
Following PDT, the treated areas can appear red and swollen with some peeling for 2-7 days. Some patients have an exuberant response to PDT, and experience marked redness of their skin. Temporary swelling of the lips and tissue around your eyes can occur for a few days. Darker pigmented patches (age spots) can become temporarily darker and then peel off leaving normal skin. Repeat treatments may be necessary.
ALA Levulan is active for 24 hours so you must stay inside for a full day following treatment. This is an important consideration in scheduling your treatment.
What are the advantages over other treatments?
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- Easier for patients than repeated topical liquid nitrogen, Efudex (5-Fu), or Aldara because the side effects are minimal and there is rapid healing.
- The ALA/PDT treatment is relatively painless versus liquid nitrogen, 5-FU and Aldara.
- Reduced scarring and improved cosmetic outcome compared with cautery, surgery and Efudex.
- Liquid nitrogen can leave white spots on skin.
- Levulan improves your whole facial area treated creating one color, texture and tone rather than just spot treating with liquid nitrogen, cautery and surgery.
In summary, PDT matches the "Ideal treatment" for actinic damage:
- Well tolerated (essentially painless)
- Non-Invasive (no needles or surgery required)
- Excellent cosmetic outcome (particularly in sensitive areas of your face)
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Related Treatments
Phone :714-870-SKIN
Premiere Dermatology
Providence Medical Center
1950 Sunny Crest Drive, Suite 2300
Fullerton, Ca. 92835
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