Levulan

Levulan is a brand name for alpha levulinic acid. It is a lotion that makes the skin quite sensitive to the effects of both therapeutic light and natural sunlight for approximately 48 hours after application.

Levulan has been used to treat many types of skin problems, even some types of skin cancer. We use Levulan to assist in acne treatments and photofacial/photobody treatments. Another name used for Levulan plus light based treatments is “Photo Dynamic Therapy’ or PDT.

Levulan causes a dramatic boost in the effect of our light based treatments. In acne, Levulan improves both the amount of acne bacteria killed and the longevity of the effects (i.e. often results from a series of three treatments lasts 8-14 months. In Photofacials, Levulan improves the reduction in both vascular and pigmented lesions, and stimulates the skin for better tone and texture. Photofacial series with Levulan are three treatments instead of six.

Although extremely effective, Levulan may not be for everyone. We would not want to use Levulan with you if you were pregnant or breastfeeding at the time of treatment. In addition, Levulan makes the skin extremely light reactive for 48 hours after each treatment. This point can not be stressed strongly enough. People are exceptionally light reactive to any form of ultra violet light. Thus, in the car after a treatment, extreme care must be used to avoid inadvertent light on the treated area (i.e. using hooded sweatshirts with a towel) as well as going directly into the house and keeping the blinds down.

When people fail to understand the importance of co-operating with the light restriction rules, there have been reported cases of significant swelling, redness, pain, and even second degree burns. Even in these undesired over-reaction cases, the vast majority healed with remarkable results. However, they endured far more discomfort and side effect than ever intended. Most individuals under normal circumstances can expect to be pink to red for a period of one to two weeks after each treatment and rarely longer. Makeup can be worn after the first two days.

Levulan Pre treatment:

• The skin in the treatment area is cleansed.
• A brief mini-microdermabrasion treatment is done to prepare the skin to accept the Levulan lotion.
• The Levulan lotion is applied to the fresh skin. It has a prickly feeling for the first five minutes
• The Levulan lotion is left on for 30-60 minutes, or as recommended by the doctor.
• The Levulan lotion is washed away and the treatment commences.

Levulan Post treatment:

• Sun screen is applied.
• Protective clothing (hats, hoods, scarves, towels etc) are used to protect skin from more light.
• The individual goes directly home or to work and should not be sitting in the light.
• The blinds should be drawn, but normal household lighting is fine.
• Light is avoided for 48 hours.
• Cool compresses may be used to sooth any areas of greater activity.
• Tylenol or Advil may be taken, although rarely needed, in case of a strong ’sun-burn’ feeling.

If you have an interest in learning more about using Levulan lotion with your light based treatment, please ask our friendly support staff or your care provider.

Tags: levulan

This entry was posted on Monday, December 15th, 2008 at 11:27 pm and is filed under Services. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.