Levulan PDT Acne Treatment in Marin County / San Francisco

Combat acne effectively, improve pores, wrinkles, texture, and prevent skin cancer!

 

Our Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is highly effective in the
treatment of acne. PDT, a minimal downtime procedure, combines the application of a topical
medication, Levulan, followed by a treatment of intense pulsed light of a specific wavelength
which kills acne bacteria and dries up overactive oil glands without damaging the skin and other
surrounding tissue.

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy and Skin Rejuvenatuion

Photorejuvenation using intense pulsed light (IPL) is now the gold standard of non-ablative skin
treatments. The most recent advance in photorejuvenation is photodynamic therapy (PDT) com-
bined with IPL, known as photodynamic skin rejuvenation. Photodynamic skin rejuvenation involves
the application of Levulan, a photosensitizing agent, which is then activated with IPL. This results in
significant improvement in precancerous conditions such as AKs, actinically damaged skin, sun
damaged skin, moderate to severe acne and cystic acne and potentially superficial skin cancers.
Additionally it improves wrinkles, pore size, skin texture, pigmentation, rosacea, sebaceous hyper-
plasia, and prevents the potential development of skin cancer. Levulan is revolutionizing how we
perform skin rejuvenation and how we treat sun damaged skin.

 

Acne is a very common problem, which can be embarrassing and painful, and can cause scarring if left untreated. The myth that frequent washing or a change in diet will cure acne, often produces fruitless resuts. In fact, over-washing with inapproriate products can actually worsen acne. While considered most common in teenagers who are experiencing hormonal changes, people of all ages can get acne. Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and the menstrual cycle, environmental irritants, skin care products, and stress are all common causes of acne flare-ups. Acne typically appears on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

 

IPL Photofacial Levulan acne treatment involves three mechanisms of action against acne. Levulan treatment inactivates the bacteria that trigger acne, exfoliates the skin to unclog pores, and the most exciting mechanism is that levulan treatment shuts down the sebaceous glands in the skin. This is exciting because sebaceous glands are the root cause in the formation of acne so it has a long lasting effect even on severe acne.

 

Levulan acne therapy can even work in patients who have failed accutane. Accutane also targets the sebaceous gland but accutane has fairly toxic side effects. Levulan is a very safe alternative to accutane treatment.

Levulan PDT Before and After Photos

FAQs

What are the benefits of a Levulan PDT treatment?

• Treating moderate to severe acne and cystic acne
• Treating sebaceous hyperplasia
• Removing precancerous skin lesions
• Preventing skin cancer
• Improving wrinkles
• Improving pores
• Improving skin texture
• Improving pigmentation, eliminating brown and red spots

What is acne?

Sebaceous glands create an oily substance called sebum. Normally sebum is expelled through pores in the skin. Pores may become clogged due to overproduction of sebum caused by hormones, dead skin cells, and other factors. When pores become clogged they become infected with bacteria, creating pimples and inflammation.

How is acne treated?

Our physician uses a combination of therapies customized to each patient's needs, based on skin type and severity of your acne. Our acne regimens include:

• Levulan Photodynamic Therapy, PDT
• Chemical peels
• Laser Genesis, gentle skin resurfacing
• OBAGI, Skinceuticals, and/or individual home acne care treatment products
• Physician Consultation and customized patient treatment and post-treatment plan

How does Levulan PDT work?

Acne Skin Care treatment using Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is the most recent advance in acne therapy. Photodynamic acne therapy involves the application of Levulan ( 5-aminolevulinic acid), a photosensitizing agent, which is then activated with IPL Photofacial. This results in a significant improvement to elimination in moderate to severe cystic acne.

How long will the treatment take?

The actual treatment will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

What happens after the treatment?

One to two days following the treatment, you will feel as though your skin has had a windburn and/or sunburn and will find that your skin is tight. Do not make excessive or widely exaggerated facial expressions. Your skin will then begin to peel. Your physician at acqua skin clinic will recommend a moisturizer to use. Let your skin heal naturally and do not peel or pick at skin that peels.

When will I see results?

Many patients see significant improvement within three to four weeks of treatment. Your complexion will be brighter, clearer and smoother looking. Acne, fine-line wrinkles, and sun damage will be considerably minimized or eliminated.

Will acne, spots, and redness reappear over time?

Over time new spots may appear if there is sufficient sun exposure. These too can be removed. Remember to liberally apply sunscreen when outdoors to minimize sun damage and the appearance of new spots and excessive redness. Moderate to severe acne may be treated in 1 to 3 treatments. After that, minor acne flair- ups normal to most people can be alleviated by stress reduction, proper skin care, and other maintenance recommed by our physician.

What areas can be treated?

The face, neck, décolleté, and back are popular areas which can be safely and effectively treated.

What does the treatment do?

The dermal layers of the skin dry out, acne bacteria is killed, pores clean out while outer layers of the skin peel and reveal fresh, clear, and smoother skin beneath.

What do treatments feel like?

Most patients find little to no discomfort with high level results.

Contact acqua skin clinic today to set up a complimentary consultation.
We are conveniently located in Mill Valley, Marin County, 5 minutes from San Francisco.