PDT / Led Therapies

It is a 20% solution of Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a natural substance found throughout the human body. It is a precursor for hemoglobin synthesis. In the body, ALA is quickly synthesized into protoporphyrin IX, a photo-sensitizer that increases the skin’s reaction to the light therapy.

Skin should be free of all makeup, sunscreen, and moisturizers. An acetone scrub or microdermabrasion is done. The Levulan, which is a clear solution that sensitizes the skin to light, is applied to the skin and left on for 30 to 60 minutes. It is absorbed by skin cells and structures like sebaceous glands. It is washed off with soap and water. Next, skin is exposed to a specific wavelength of light with either the Blu-U, iClearXL, Vbeam laser, IPL, or GentleWaves. This takes about 8 to 15 minutes. At times, multiple lasers or light sources are sequentially used to activate the Levulan. This combined interaction of the Levulan solution and the laser or light is what gives rise to the term photodynamic therapy. Sunblock is applied and a hat is worn out of the office. Sun exposure needs to be avoided for 48 hours after treatment. If possible, patients should remain indoors for the first 24 hours after treatment. A minimum of SPF 40 sunblock should be worn for one week. Skin may become red with mild swelling and peeling for three to seven days. Three to five treatments are recommended at two to four-week intervals.

Following PDT, the face can appear red, followed by some flaking and peeling for several days. Rarely, some patients have a noticeable response to PDT, such as redness of their skin, or even temporary swelling of the lips and around your eyes for a few days after the treatment. Darker, pigmented patches or sunspots can temporarily darken, and then peel off over a week or so, leaving normal skin.

PDT is generally only covered by medical insurances when it is used to remove actinic keratosis, a type of pre-cancer of skin. We have not seen health insurance cover treatment for acne or acne scars, and cosmetic sun damage doesn’t meet their requirements for medical necessity. That having been said, we do not accept insurance of any kind at our practice. This allows us to significantly lower our costs to do business, since we don’t need a whole team of medical billers, and that allows us to offer PDT at a lower price than most practices. The pricing of your treatment will depend upon the type of light used and whether you purchase your treatments as a package or a la carte. Individual pricing is quoted during the free consultation with one of our cosmetic physicians. On average, PDT with Vbeam is $875 for the full face.

GentleWaves is the first device using effective LED photomodulation technology. The key to the science behind GentleWaves lies in using gentle light energy at specifically selected proprietary codes for optimum effectiveness. The modulated light is then delivered to target treatment areas by sophisticated pulsed technology. GentleWaves is not only able to stimulate the body to produce collagen but can reduce the level of the enzyme in the body that breaks collagen down.

The GentleWaves treatment is completely painless, can be performed in minutes and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterward. There will be no redness or peeling. A series of once-weekly treatments for eight weeks is advised, followed by maintenance.