Levulan PDT (Photo Dynamic Therapy)

Minimize Sun Damage with Levulan PDT

Many of us have had multiple sunburns and evidence of sun damage on our face by the time we’re in our 40s and 50s. Unfortunately, our immune system decline in the 50s and 60s leads to the evolution of skin cancer that correlates to the sun damage we accrued in our early years. The good news is that Levulan (Photo Dynamic Therapy) PDT is an FDA-approved treatment to reverse pre-cancerous skin lesions as well as small cancer lesions in the skin.

Rejuvent has been performing PDT for patients for many years. This is a valuable tool to treat aging skin that wants to express cancer and revert it to a younger less diseased state. We also get overall rejuvenation in the skin with a decrease in telangiectasias (visible red vessels in the skin), improvement in overall tone with a decrease in red and brown pigmentation, and an overall reduction in wrinkles.

Levulan PhotoDynamic Therapy is a treatment method for certain skin conditions. Patients with Actinic Keratosis (pre-cancerous), diffuse acne, sun damage, and textural irregularities may greatly benefit from Levulan. Recent studies have shown most patients rate cosmetic improvement as good to excellent.

Levulan also improves:

  • Wrinkles
  • Pore size
  • Skin texture
  • Pigmentation
  • Rosacea
  • Sebaceous hyperplasia (overactive oil glands)
  • Diminishes the appearance of acne scars

Before undergoing Levulan PDT (or any aggressive facial treatment such as medium peels, IPL, or eMatrix) the skin must be prepared by using a custom medical-grade skincare program. The foundation of this prep is a topical retinoid, a 4% hydroquinone, and sunscreen, all applied daily for 2-4 weeks before treatment.

Levulan PDT in Scottsdale

For any additional questions, or to schedule your consultation for Levulan in our Scottsdale medical spa, call Rejuvent at 480.889.8880.

Rejuvent is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and conveniently located near Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Tempe, Mesa, and other areas of Greater Phoenix.

Before and after photo of Levulan PDT

Levulan PDT at Rejuvent:

  • Reduces Brown and Red Spots
  • Minimizes Discoloration and Freckles
  • Improves Pore Size
  • Improves Tone and Texture
  • Plumps the Skin with Collagen Production
  • Targets Pre-Cancerous Cells

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Reverse Sun Damage with Levulan PDT and IPL

I believe that one PDT therapy activated with IPL gives more rejuvenation than many of the more expensive laser treatments available to rejuvenate skin. In addition, one receives the reversal of sun damage that can evolve into skin cancer.  This treatment truly reverts your skin to a more youthful state.   – Kelly Bomer, MD

Read about my incredible Levulan PDT Journey.

My sun damage is gone

“I spend a long part of my youth enjoying the California sun. Wind and sun were constant companions, but all that fun became really apparent in my skin as I age. I had a lot of discoloration and skin roughness that never improved. After my Levulan treatment, my new skin came in softer, more even, and healthier. I recommend this treatment to everyone!”

-E.B.

Veinwave Photo Gallery

Click on any image to see a larger Veinwave photo.

Levulan PDT Treatment to the Rescue!

Visit Rejuvent for a consultation and find out how Levulan can resurface your skin, treat abnormal skin cells and bring your skin to a healthier level. These before and after photos are a small sampling of the amazing results achieved for our Levulan patients in our Scottsdale location. You will view more Levulan photos during your appointment.

Levulan PDT before and after photo

 

Skin Improvement After Levulan PDT

This patient’s skin is more luminous, her skin texture is more even, the skin is tighter, her skin discolorations, and her red and brown pigmentation has improved considerably.

How is Levulan Performed?

Levulan PDT is performed by applying a topical photosensitizer called Levulan (20% 5-aminolevulinic acid-ALA) to the skin. After proper penetration to the skin, the treatment area is exposed to the intense light of IPL. This activates the Levulan, which selectively targets and destroys damaged skin cells, pre-cancerous skin cells, and some early skin cancer cells. Activation with IPL produces more overall facial rejuvenation than when Levulan is activated by blue light.

Patients must avoid ALL sunlight for 48 hours after treatment. Recovery is variable depending on how much damage was present in the skin before treatment. Most patients experience redness, flaking, and significant peeling during the recovery process. Exposure to any sunlight, even coming through windows post-treatment, increases the redness and peeling and delays the recovery.

Frequently asked questions related to Levulan PDT at Rejuvent.

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy is a skin treatment that helps minimize sun damage caused by the sun. It also treats acne, acne scars, rosacea, and precancerous cells, or actinic keratosis.

This photodynamic therapy uses light or laser energy to act against skin damage. At Rejuvent, this laser energy comes in the form of intense pulsed light or IPL – Fotofacial.

  • Sun Damage
  • Acne and Acne Scars
  • Rosacea
  • Actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous cells)
  • Enlarged oil glands
  • Enlarged pores
  • Blotchy pigmentation and brown spots
  • Overall smoothness of skin
  • Minimizes wrinkles
  • Fades hyperpigmentation
  • Rapid treatment of acne lesions all over the face
  • Reduces enlarged pores and glands
  • Skin appears refreshed and younger
  • Treats pre-cancerous cells
  • No scarring
  • No surgical excisions
  • No systemic side effects

This treatment may be right for you if you have sun-damaged skin, rough skin, acne, actinic keratosis, rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa (severe acne), or skin irregularities.

— Pregnant women or patients taking Accutane during the previous six months are not eligible for this treatment.

We recommend you avoid tanning prior to Levulan, and that you wait for any tanning to fade before being treated.

During your appointment, the prescription solution known as Levulan is applied to the skin, which causes the target cells or glands to be more sensitive to light. After an incubation time (usually 60 minutes), you will be treated with a Fotofacial (IPL), which activates the Levulan. The combination of Levulan and intense pulse light not only treat the skin cells, but also makes your skin more healthy, smooth, clear, and may possibly even prevent skin cancer.

Certain steps are necessary after Levulan PDT treatment such as avoiding sun and light for 48 hours post-procedure.

Everyone reacts differently to Levulan, but the majority of our patients experience redness, peeling, a little tenderness. If there is a lot of sun damage or if you have been in the light during the first 2 days, following treatment you may have some significant burning discomfort in the treated area.

The good news is that even with severe side effects, there has never been any reported scarring with this treatment. So even if you do have a pronounced effect in the short term, you will still get very good results.

Redness and Peeling: Your skin will be red and you will have some skin peeling (and crusting in some instances) for several days after the treatment. Usually, the first 1-2 days are the worst.

Stay Inside: You must remain indoors 48 hours following your treatment to avoid sun exposure, as you are photosensitive during that time and sun exposure could cause severe burns. Even a quick walk to get the mail can impact your skin, so plan accordingly. We suggest avoiding all light if possible as light causes photosensitivity and leads to burns.

Camouflaging redness: Pressed mineral base powder will hide most of the redness. Rejuvent offers Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and Colorescience Mineral Corrector to help camouflage the redness. We don’t recommend liquid products that may contain oils or waxes.

Important Note: It is very important that you avoid direct or indirect sunlight COMPLETELY for 48 hours after treatment. Wear a hat and sunglasses and lower your visor as you drive home. If you are a passenger, make sure the treated skin is completely covered or turned away from the window. Light can activate Levulan, which remains active in the skin for 36-48 hours.

Yes. You must use a very gentle cleanser during the healing period post-procedure, must keep your skin moisturized and protected from the sun.
We recommend a gentle cleanser such as Alastin Calm Cleansing Cream, Revision Skincare Gentle Foaming Cleanser, and Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion.

For post-procedure moisture, we recommend Benev Pure Squalane Nourish PS-100, PCA Silkcoat Balm, SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, and Neocutis Bio-Restorative Bio-Cream.

For post-procedure sunscreen, we recommend these mineral formulas Alastin SkinSHIELD and Revision Skincare Intellishade TruPhysical SPF 45.

We also recommend Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar before and after treatment.

If you are interested in achieving the best PDT results possible in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area, call 480-889-8880 today.