Photodynamic Acne Treatment
The treatment used for severe, hard to treat acne is called, Photodynamic Treatment. This procedure uses light, and a special light activity solution that, when applied to the skin, can help destroy and eliminate acne activity. This treatment can also help with older scars, making them less noticeable, giving you a more healthy appearance.
Photodynamic acne treatment is a procedure done by applying a photosensitizing agent to the skin. This agent is a special solution that, when applied to the skin, is activated by a specific wavelength of light.
This solution is called, Levulan. Your doctor will apply the Levulan to those areas of severe acne and leave it on there for approximately fifteen to sixty minutes. Then the specific wavelength of light is added. This light is called, BLU-U or clear light. The patient then sits under this light for about eight minutes.
The Levulan is absorbed by living cells in the skin, causing the acne cells to become more sensitive to the light. It is the combined interaction of the solution and the light that gives this treatment its name, photodynamic therapy.
To get the most of this form of treatment, you must first take care of the blackheads, and pimples through extraction. This procedure will effectively improve your skin through the cleansing of your pores. This treatment also reduces oily skin, improving the overall texture of your skin.
The advantages of photodynamic acne treatment are the quick treatment of large surface acne lesions on your skin, there is no scarring, no surgical incisions, and no systemic side-effects. This procedure is also easier than topical nitrogen based solutions placed on the skin. You skin appears more fresh, and younger when using this treatment solution. This treatment is unpainful, and creates an even color to your skin. This treatment is well tolerated, easily performed in a special clinical environment, it is noninvasive, and you achieve excellent skin appearance.
The dis-advantages of using photodynamic acne treatment is that your skin will be red and you are likely to experience peeling or crusting of the areas treated. You may also experience a slight swelling of the lips and around your eyes for a few days after treatment. You may require more than one treatment to target severe acne, and it is costly. You also have to remain indoors the day following this treatment plan, as you will become very sensitive to the sun and its rays.
You will experience smaller pores, less oily skin, and better skin tone and texture with this treatment, and your active acne cells will be drastically slowed down and even stopped.
To achieve maximum benefit of this treatment, you will need a series of three treatments two to four weeks apart.
Be sure to speak with a dermatologist to find out the specific risks and benefits of this treatment plan, as they can advise you on the number of treatments needed, safety measures taken to assure no further skin damage, cost, and recovery time.
