Photodynamic Therapy for Acne

What You Need To Know Prior To Treatment

What is Photodynamic therapy, and how does it work?

Photodynamic therapy is a new exciting treatment for stubborn acne. This procedure combines the use of a Levulan Kerastick, [Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA)] with the Candela V-beam pulsed dye laser in a series of treatments 4-6 weeks apart. The ALA in combination with Candela V-beam laser produces an intense, but gentle burst of light that destroys the bacteria that cause chronic acne breakouts. This is a very new therapy and final approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not been obtained. For this reason, the treatment is considered “off-label”.

Will the treatment hurt?

There may be some stinging, burning, or discomfort experienced while the laser is in use.

What are the potential risks of treatment?

Like any laser treatment, there are potential risks with the procedure.  Some of these risks include hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin), hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), and scarring.  We will discuss all of the risks with you prior to treatment.

What should I expect immediately after treatment?

Redness, swelling and peeling are all common after treatment.  You should plan to carefully protect your skin from the sun after treatment.  We will discuss detailed care instructions during our consultation.

Does the correction last forever, and if not, how often will I require treatment?

Each individual reacts to photodynamic therapy differently. For the treatment of stubborn acne, multiple treatments may be required for clearing of breakouts, but improvement is generally seen with one to two treatments. After a series of 3-4 treatments, sustained benefit and fewer breakouts can be expected for up to 6 months or sometimes longer.