Treatment: Photodynamic Therapy

The treatment consists of using a light source – either the Blu-U^® or Intelligent Pulsed Light (IPL) - to activate Levulan^® (ALA) which has previously been applied to the skin. This kills the bacteria, dries up the oil glands and unplugs the pores.

Antibiotics can be used to treat severe acne; however, the response to the drug is usually delayed by 2 – 3 months. Another problem in using antibiotics is the increased resistance of the acne-causing bacteria so that the treatment may be unsuccessful. Even when the acne seems to improve with the use of an antibiotic, the effect may be short lived. Antibiotic therapy for acne needs to be used for months or years, which can raise oncerns among both doctors and patients.

This drug is a derivative of vitamin A and can be an effective treatment for acne. Accutane^® is well known to produce undesirable side effects including: severe dryness of the skin and eyes, nasal passages and mouth, moodiness, sometimes amounting to severe depression, abnormal liver function and lipid profile and deformities in babies born to mothers who took Accutane^® during pregnancy.

A series of 3 treatments 2 – 4 weeks apart is usually most effective. Some people may be satisfied with the results of one treatment. The PDT system can also produce excellent cosmetic benefits by reducing sun damage, improving skin tone, colour and texture.

Before Photodynamic Therapy for acne

After Photodynamic Therapy for acne