| - | Treatment of actinic keratosisLevulan PDT is very effective | Actinic keratoses (AK) are rough, scaly patches of skin are a result of excessive sun exposure. While you might be tempted to just ignore them, these can actually enlarge and progress into dangerous skin cancers. For this reason, it is recommended that anyone with AKs seek timely treatment. | |
| | The Levulan PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) system is an advanced two-step treatment for minimally to moderately thick actinic keratosis and is being used by Dr. Benjamin Bassichis. First, the Levulan Keratick (aminolevulinic acid HCl) for Topical Solution, 20% is applied to individual AKs on the patient’s skin. This solution is an acid that is naturally occurring in the body and makes the AKs more sensitive to light. Next, the AKs are exposed to the BLU-U blue light. This light destroys AKs whether they are precancerous or not. Clinical testing has shown that after eight weeks of treatment, the Levulan PDT system cleared 100% of treated AKs in the majority of patients. | | The BLU-U blue light is also FDA approved for the treatment of troublesome acne that may not be responding to medications or conventional treatments. It works by killing the p. acnes bacteria which causes acne, allowing patients to control their acne for long periods of time. (Related: Skin treatments) Additionally, BLU-U controls overactive sebaceous glands, decreasing oil production. Treatments are simple, safe, and painless, involving a series of short sessions of exposure to the blue light. (Related: Acne laser treatment) | | | | |
