Quickly and effectively treat acne, rosacea, sun spots, and uneven skin tone with Levulan Photodynamic Therapy at McLean Clinic.
For quicker, more dramatic results than photorejuvenation, or if you have severe skin damage that you may have pre-cancerous cells, lesions, or actinic keratosis, photodynamic therapy may be a great option. Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a two-part process that involves the application of Levulan to the skin followed by exposure to BLU-U Blue Light. The procedure can also be used to effectively treat acne. Levulan PDT is a painless procedure and is used to improve a variety of skin conditions such as:
Overall, photodynamic therapy is a highly effective, pain-free, and non-invasive procedure to treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris, an extremely common skin condition that affects many teens and adults, as well as actinic keratoses.
Actinic keratosis, also known as “sun spots”, are rough, dry patches that appear on the skin as a result of excessive exposure to UV light from the sun or from tanning beds. As such, they tend to appear most commonly in areas of the skin that receive the most sunlight exposure, such as the face, neck, chest, and scalp.
Acne is a very common skin condition that causes inflammation, blemishes, and pimples on the skin. They occur when sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin, clogs the hair follicles. These breakouts commonly occur on the face, back, and chest.
Levulan Photodynamic Therapy is a great solution in the treatment of both actinic keratosis, acne, as well as pre-cancerous lesions. It has the ability to target redness and eliminate bacteria, destroying damaged skin cells and restoring healthy skin in tone and texture.
If you are pregnant or have taken Accutane in the last 6 months, you will not be eligible for Photodynamic Therapy.
If your treatment area is tanned or has recently been exposed to the sun, we recommend waiting until the tan fades before receiving photodynamic therapy treatment. This will reduce the risk of side effects such as blisters.
Improving your skin’s health can involve a variety of approaches. During your complimentary consultation, our Skin Care Specialist will design an individual skin rejuvenating program tailored to meet your specific needs and budget. Levulan PDT is most effective in a series of 3 to 6 treatments performed 3 to 4 weeks apart.
Cost-effective packages are available. To learn more about Levulan Photodynamic Therapy and Blue Light call us at 866-731-0431 or request an appointment to book your free consultation.
During the first step, a clear solution called Levulan Kerastic is applied to the skin. After resting comfortably with the Levulan on the skin for 30 to 60 minutes, the area is then treated with blue light. This eliminates bacteria in the skin and destroys damaged skin cells.
Combining the application of Levulan and the light will treat not only the damaged skin cells and glands, but will also leave you with healthy, smooth, and refreshed skin.
Following your procedure, you can expect relief from skin conditions related to acne and rosacea, actinic keratosis, as well as smoother, more radiant skin. Photodynamic Therapy is approved by the FDA for the treatment of actinic keratosis, which is considered precancerous.
To achieve the best results from Levulan PDT, a series of 3 to 6 treatments is usually recommended. This will provide you with maximum improvement and excellent long-term results. Sessions are performed in the privacy of our Mississauga cosmetic surgery clinic.
The results from your Photodynamic Therapy treatment session can be enhanced by combining it with traditional photorejuvenation, chemical peels, and more. It can also be combined with skin tightening treatments, injectable fillers, and Botox. Depending on your skin’s condition, the way in which your treatments can be combined will vary from patient to patient. During your initial consultation at the McLean Clinic office, our team will examine and assess your condition and make appropriate recommendations so that you can achieve optimal results.
Following your Photodynamic Therapy treatment, sunscreen will be applied to the treatment area. Your skin will be highly sensitive to light and sunlight must be completely avoided for 48 hours after your session.
It is crucial that you carefully follow our instructions for post-treatment care. Ensure you apply sunscreen on a daily basis and do not expose the area to sunlight at all during this time. Your skin will look sunburned for at least 2 to 3 days and you may experience peeling. Your normal skin care regime may be resumed once the peeling has stopped or 48 hours following your session unless otherwise noted. Makeup may also be applied after the first 24 hours of your treatment.
Photodynamic Therapy will often leave patients with redness and scaliness, which feels similar to a sunburn for a few days to up to 1 week. If there was a lot of sun damage in the treated area, or if you expose the treated area to sunlight during the 2 days post-procedure, you may experience increased discomfort in those areas.
Before receiving your treatment, the McLean Clinic team will take the time to discuss all potential complications and side effects related to Photodynamic Therapy so you are fully aware of what to expect before, during, and after your treatment.
Photodynamic Therapy often requires multiple treatments to achieve optimal results. End results will vary from patient to patient depending on the severity of their skin condition. While some patients may achieve their desired results after 1 to 2 sessions, some may require additional treatments to obtain optimal results.
905-273-4888