Levulan Photodynamic Treatment with BLU-U Light System
Levulan (Aminolevulinic acid 20%) is a naturally occurring sensitizing compound that has been approved by the FDA to treat pre-cancerous skin lesions called actinic keratoses. Levulan is applied to the skin and then “activated” by specific wavelengths of light. This process of activating Levulan with light is termed Photodynamic Therapy. The purpose of activating the Levulan is to treat actinic keratoses and improve other signs of sun damage. It also can improve acne, oily skin, and rosacea.
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Pre-treatment Instructions
- No sun burns, sun tanning, or tanning sprays/creams for 2 weeks prior to treatment.
- Stop use of exfoliating products to treatment area for 10 days prior to treatment.
- If you have a history of previous cold sores or fever blisters (Herpes simplex), you should ask for a prescription for oral Famvir or Valtrex. One 500 mg tablet is taken twice daily for 5 days, starting this the night before or the morning of your blue light treatment.
- If you are worried about pain, take Tylenol, Motrin, or similar over the counter medication prior to your appointment.
- Make sure your skin is clean and free of all makeup, moisturizers, and sunscreens.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, and scarf when appropriate to the office.
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Treatment Steps
- You will sign a consent form.
- An acetone scrub or microdermabrasion is performed. This will enhance the absorption of the Levulan to give a more even uptake.
- Levulan is applied topically to the whole area to be treated with extra pressure or another coat over the areas affected most.
- The Levulan is left on for 60 minutes (30-120 minutes range). Bring something to do while you wait.
- The Levulan is activated with the BLU-U Light System. The length of the treatment is usually 16 minutes 40 seconds. You may feel stinging or burning during the treatment.
- The face is washed to get all of the Levulan off.
- MDForte Environmental Protection SPF30 is applied and recommended for home use.
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Post-treatment Course and Instructions
- Avoid any sunlight (including sunlight from windows) and bright fluorescent light x 48 hours. This is very important. Stay indoors – sunscreens will not protect enough unless you use pure zinc oxide and wide brimmed hat (only if necessary). Excess exposure can cause severe sunburn-like reaction.
- It is possible to get redness, swelling, peeling, scaling, itching of skin for 3-7 days. To reduce swelling, apply cold compresses or ice packs as needed. If itching or peeling, it is okay to use over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment two to three times daily for 1 week. Recovery should not be painful so if you develop pain, please call the office.
- It is okay to use a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser or MDForte Replenish Hydrating Cleanser to wash the treatment area. Apply gentle moisturizer such as Aquaphor or MDForte Replenish Hydrating Cream as many times as necessary for comfort.
- It is okay to wear make-up. It is okay to shave but if skin feels irritated, it is okay to wait until irritation has cleared. Wait 1 week before resuming any prescribed or anti-aging topical products.
- Continue to wear sun block and a hat while outdoors after treatment.
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