What is Photodynamic Therapy?

Photodynamic Therapy is the newest, most comprehensive and effective rejuvenation procedure available today. Photodynamic therapy is different from standard laser and Intense Pulsed Light Therapies (IPL).  Levulan (deltaaminolevulinic acid) is applied to the skin areas to be treated.  It is selectively absorbed more by damaged skin and oil glands.  Thirty to sixty minutes after it is applied to skin, it is metabololized to protporphyrin IX, which is a light-sensitive compound.  When a specific light source such as an Intense Pulsed Light, NLite or a Photogenica V laser is used, the protoporphyrin IX is activated to a reactive oxygen couplet state, targeting abnormal tissue and oil glands.  Levulan has many clinical benefits of its own (see www.duspharma.com)  and it enhances all the benefits of the original light source such as the IPL (see www.photofacial.com Dr. Bitter’s site who developed the photofacial concept), NLite (link to our two sites about NLite) and Photogenica V lasers (link to our laser surgery site).

What are the benefits of Photodynamic Therapy?          

• One session is all that is needed for improvement, but two to three treatments is optimal for the greatest effectiveness.

• Most comprehensive single treatment method to improve sun damage, texture, wrinkling, tighten pore pattern, reduce even severe acne, reduce unsightly blood vessels, reduce blotchiness of skin – new benefits are being found almost daily.

• Avoidance oral medications usually needed in treatment of significant acne or rosacea

• Eliminates the need for topical medicine in reversing pre-malignant sun-damage that usually looks unsightly for up to six weeks

• Reduction of sun damaged – It usually reduces about 10 years of “sun damage”

• Reduction of precancerous actinic keratoses from sun – 65% from a single treatment and 90% average with two treatments

• Significant reduction of the incidence of skin cancer formation – Photodynamic Therapy can eliminate 80-90% of superficial skin cancers

• Reduction of acne – Photodynamic Therapy can reduce acne, even severe cystic acne up to 90% for up to two years.  It is the best alternative to Accutane, with more safety.

• Reduction in sebaceous gland hyperplasia – up to 90% with three treatments.

• Reduction of rhinophyma

• Can be used with multiple intense pulsed light and laser light sources to tailor the benefits of Photodynamic Therapy to your needs.

• Is equivalent to three regular Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments, but with the added benefit of marked reduction in sun damage, precancerous changes, more benefit for acne, skin texture and wrinkling

• Visible benefits start to become noticeable within the first two weeks

• Acne scarring can be significantly reduced when NLite is used to active Levulan

• Wrinkling around the eyes and mouth can be noticeably reduced when Levulan is activated with NLite

• Minimal risk

Are there concomitant treatments to further enhance Photodynamic Therapy?

Yes.  Pre-treatment with microdermabrasion or a glycolic or beta peel enhances the result from each treatment.  Botox treatment of selected areas can enhance the reduction in wrinkling.  Restylane, Perlane, Sculptra and other fillers can enhance the visual benefits by reducing the wrinkling of the lower third of the face or scowl lines.  Maintenance therapy afterwards to maintain the  benefits achieved with a comprehensive cosmeceutical program, Prevage, Avage, Renova, Tazorac, Retin-A, Differin.  Our expert Medical Esthetician can customize a program for you.

Who is a Candidate?

Anyone with irregular skin tone, sun damage, unsightly blood vessels, blotchiness, acne, rosacea, pre-malignant sun damage, excessive oiliness, large pore pattern and any combination of these concerns.

What can I Expect?

More even, glowing and smoother skin tones which convey a more rested, youthful appearance without the down time of some other therapies. Reduction of precancerous lesions and actinic keratoses. Reduced incidence of skin cancer formation because of the reduction in biologic expression of your sun damage.  Improvement in blotchiness, unsightly red blood vessels, tighter pore pattern and texture.

Side Effects

These treatments are considered very safe. However a temporary pigmentation change, pinkness, swelling, and discomfort in the treated area may be expected. A thorough evaluation by Dr. Sabean or his medical esthetician is necessary to determine how best to treat your concerns. The specific risks and the suitability of these procedures for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally.  Permanent side effects are very rare.

Recovery Time

One to seven days.  Please see the post-treatment instructions.

Is it Painful?

The Levulan enhanced procedure is uncomfortable, like being snapped with elastics, but usually easily managed with ice, topical anesthetics if there is much discomfort.  Most people do not need to use ice or local anesthetics.  Very rarely the procedure will be described as painful.

Patient Photodynamic IPL Therapy Guide and Pre-Treatment Instructions 

Post Treatment Instructions

A Recent Study About the Effectiveness of Photodynamic IPL Therapy

Who Performs the Treatments?

Dr. Sabean or his laser-certified Medical Esthetician.