Photodynamic Therapy-Acne Treatments

CONDITIONS

Acne
For more information about our phototherapy treatments please contact us.

Photodynamic Therapy is a treatment to correct acne, caused by excess oil and lack of exfoliation.  The laser treatment relies on the use of  Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA). ALA can be used in 20% or 25%. ALA is a natural substance found throughout your body, as it is a precursor for hemoglobin synthesis. You would be unable to make a red blood cell to carry oxygen without ALA in your body. Consequently, it is a "natural" product found in all humans.

Acne results from the obstruction and inflammation of the sebaceous glands, and it affects 80% of the human population. Acne typically begins in adolescence with hormonal changes. However, there are many older individuals who suffer from "adult acne."

There are several different presentations of acne ranging from comedonal (blackheads ad whiteheads), popular, pustular, and cystic acne. In many cases, many of these presentations of acne can be present individually or simultaneously.

Prior to Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), the best available treatment option for cystic acne was Accutane. However, with Accutane there are many systemic side effects including birth defects, liver abnormalities, mood depression, and virtually all patients get dryness and night vision changes. PDT Acne treatment provides a viable alternative for all types of acne treatments.  The ALA also targets sebaceous hyperplasia (which are those small 1-3 mm benign, bumps on your skin) and the papules of acne rosecea.

Photodynamic Therapy Treatments are done as follows:   The photosensitizing agent known as ALA (amino-levullanic acid), is applied to your skin.  The ALA is clear solution and painless, that targets the active acne sebaceous glands and cells. The time the ALA is left on this skin varies by patient.  The over active sebaceous glands absorb the ALA.  Then the ALA is activated by a specific wavelength of light with the KTP-YAG, which "turns it on." The cells that have absorbed the ALA are then destroyed, leaving the normal, healthy cells untouched.  Several passes are the done over the area to insure that a certain amount of energy is absorbed to activate the ALA. Skin oiliness is decreased, and the appearance of the pores is minimized. The entire skin texture improves following a PDT.

The "Downside" of PDT is that you will be red and have some skin peeling for several days after the treatment. Usually the first 2-3 days are the worst. Pressed mineral based makeup such as Jane Iredale will hide most of the redness. We advise patients to avoid sun exposure, as you are photosensitive for at least 24 hours after the treatment.

Results vary for person to person. Below are photos of a patient after one treatment. Although a series of 2-4 are recommended.