With age comes wisdom, but also the telltale signs of years spent in the sun.  This can take the form of precancerous spots, brown spots, broken capillaries and rough surface texture. Now an FDA approved treatment called Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) offers another option to repeated painful liquid nitrogen treatments which can heal with permanent white spots, months of topical application of Efudex or Aldara with unsightly crusting and downtime and surgical treatments.  In addition, with PDT you’ll get the added benefit of cosmetic improvements in brown spots, redness, fine lines and surface roughness. With PDT the risk of scarring is reduced compared with liquid nitrogen, surgery and Efudex.  Levulan improves the entire facial area creating a more even color, texture and tone rather than just spot treating with traditional therapies.

PDT is a special treatment performed with a topical photosensitizing agent called Levulan (ALA) and a BLU-U visible light source.  PDT has the unique ability to reverse sun damage and remove precancerous spots, called Actinic Keratoses. For severely sun damaged skin, PDT can be performed with our Omnilight or Vbeam laser to further reduce redness and brown spots, as well as, stimulating formation of new collagen in the skin. 

Although individual results may vary, patients with severely sun damaged skin often see excellent results.  In addition, patients with active acne and rosacea improve significantly resulting in the need for less medication.

Following PDT, the treated areas will be red, swollen, and tender like a sunburn. Peeling may last for up to one week.  Patients with severely sun damaged skin may have an exuberant response to PDT; however, lack of peeling does not mean the treatment “did not work”.  Temporary swelling of the lips and around your eyes can occur for a few days.  Brown spots will become temporarily darker and then peel off revealing healthy glowing clearer skin.

To achieve maximum improvement 2-3 treatments per year may be needed.  Some patients are happy with just one treatment.  Of course, additional treatments can be done at periodic intervals to maintain results.

Because ALA remains in the skin for up to 48 hours, Dr. Roberts will recommend a special sunscreen and advise you to remain indoors and avoid sun exposure during this time period.

Please call our office to schedule a consultation and see if PDT is the right choice for you.