Levulan Treatments for Photorejuvenation or Acne

Levulan is a form of “Photodynamic therapy�? that targets abnormal skin cells.  When activated by a light treatment, Levulan is a tremendously potent tool for the treatment of sun-damaged skin, hypo-pigmented scars, brown spots/hyper-pigmentation, redness, rosacea, fine lines and wrinkles, irregular skin texture, enlarged pores, stubborn acne, and overactive sebaceous glands.

Levulan treatments can be performed such that they are of a varying degree of intensity depending on the length of time that the Levulan is left on the skin prior to being activated by the light treatment (the “incubation�? period).  If you choose to do an aggressive treatment, you can expect to have marked redness and swelling that may last from 3-7 days (or even longer in some cases).  Peeling and/or superficial crusting is expected after a Levulan treatment, and occurs between days 3-6.  As the peeling process is completed, you will begin to see the new, fresh skin that is growing in.  A milder treatment will cause only mild redness and swelling for a few days.  Depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment, you may need anywhere from 1-2 aggressive treatments, or up to 5 less aggressive treatments.  Levulan treatments are usually spaced 3-5 weeks apart.

Any visible light will continue to cause activation of the Levulan after the incubation period.  For this reason, you must strictly avoid exposure to sunlight for at least 24 hours after the Levulan is applied to your skin.