Typically, treatment sessions are approximately 20 minutes long twice a week for up to 10 weeks. It is important to keep the treatment appointments recommended. By following the treatment plan, you'll see maximum results and enjoy clearer skin. For optimum results, a maintenance treatment session once a month is recommended after completion of the initial series.

The BLU-U treatment is very safe. The blue-violet light penetrates just deep enough into the tissue to reach the acne target. Even though there is no evidence of complications, we will not perform this treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The face should be cleansed with soap and water and free of any oil. Ladies need to be make-up free during the treatment. Make-up may be re-applied immediately after the treatment. We may provide a skin preparation pad to further cleanse oils from the skin, and may recommend a skin exfoliation product to further enhance the photodynamic therapy.

Light pulses are delivered through the skin's surface, targeting an organic compound generated by the Propionibacterium acnes (p. acne) bacteria called porphyrin. These porphyrins are photosensitive and when targeted by light, generate singlet oxygen, which kill the p. acne bacteria that cause inflammation.

Clinical data suggests that most patients find their acne improves after two weeks of twice weekly treatments. While many patients continue to improve over the months following treatment, some patients experience a plateau in their improvement. Repeated treatments may be necessary to maintain results.

In studies conducted at Wellman Labs in Massachusetts and at a private facility in California, 91% of patients saw their acne improve by an average of 66%. In the most recent clinical study patients saw their acne become 81% less severe.

Many patients describe the laser pulses as feeling like the snap of a rubber band against the skin, however treatments done over active lesions may be more uncomfortable. Your medical practitioner may recommend a topical anesthetic in order to make treatments more comfortable. Levulan acne therapy can even work in patients who have failed Accutane®. Accutane® targets the sebaceous gland but Accutane® fairly toxic side effects. Levulan is a very safe alternative to Accutane® treatment.

Patients frequently see results within the first week following treatment. Most will see results within two weeks.

Immediately following the procedure patients may experience mild to moderate redness and swelling that will fade in as little as a couple hours to as much as a few days.

It is extremely important that you stay out of the sun for 48 hours after your treatment! Your skin will be sensitized to the sun and you can get severely sunburned. Use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 even when indoors.

You may be red following the treatment for several hours to several days. You may have a sun-burned look for 1-7 days. Light peeling can occasionally occur. Swelling may occasionally occur, especially around the eyes. Blisters and scabbing can occur if you do not follow directions.

• If your skin stings indoors, stay away from bright lights and windows.
• If your skin feels uncomfortable or if swelling develops, apply cold compresses or ice packs as needed. Take Tylenol® or Advil® if needed. Hydrocortisone 1% cream, preferably with Aloe (non-prescription) can be applied if skin is puffy and inflamed. Most of the time, pure aloe vera gel is also soothing and speeds healing without the use of any actual medications.
• Continue to wear sunscreens and a hat while outdoors for 2 weeks after each treatment.
• Call our office if you experience any extreme pain or unusual circumstances.

Yes.

Photodynamic acne therapy involves the application of Levulan ( 5-aminolevulinic acid), a photosensitizing agent, which is then activated with blue-light. This results in significant improvement in moderate to severe cystic acne.