As the general population ages, treating sun damage and precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) with lasers is growing in demand. Levulan® Kerastick® is indicated for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratosis of the face or scalp. Actinic keratoses (AKs) are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin that can lead to skin cancer. It is important to treat AKs because there is no way to tell when or which lesions will progress to squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer. So, now’s the time to manage your damage!
Skin lesions are treated with Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy and a laser. This process results in significant improvement in potentially superficial skin cancers and sun-damaged skin. The 2-part treatment offers the following conveniences:
Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (LPT) has been approved by the Health Canada since 1999 for the treatment of sun damaged skin, removing precancerous skin lesions and improving fine lines, pores and skin texture. Studies have shown that 72% of face or scalp patients were 100% clear at 12 weeks after 1 or 2 treatments, and 66% of patients experienced 100% clearance of all AK lesions of the face or scalp 8 weeks after treatment. More importantly, studies have shown that the majority of treated AK lesions of the face or scalp cleared at 3 months remained clear 12 months after treatments.
Discover how our skin treatments can improve your sun damaged skin by calling 416-551-3339 to request your complimentary laser skin evaluation today.
Levulan is appropriate for patients with actinic keratosis on their faces or scalps. Laser therapy is not recommended if any of the following conditions exist: Pregnant or nursing female, photosensitivity disorder, immunosuppressive disease, and diabetes, bleeding disorder, seizure disorder triggered by light, active herpes breakout, active shingles or any active infection. Also some medications can be sensitive the light, including tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline.
Levulan is applied to the skin and subsequently ‘activated’ by specific wavelengths of light. This process of activating Levulan with light is termed Photodynamic Therapy or PDT. Activation of the Levulan not only treats actinic keratoses but can also improve the appearance of acne and sebaceous gland growths. The treatment can also decrease oiliness of the skin, as well as improve texture and smoothness by minimizing pore size. Any pre-cancerous lesions are also simultaneously treated.
Levulan topical solution is applied to the AK. The solution is then absorbed by the AK cells where it is converted to a chemical that makes the cells extremely sensitive to light.. After one hour absorption period, the area is treated with a specific wavelength of light using the Sciton laser to activate the Levulan. Following the treatment the skin is cleansed to remove any residual Levulan. Patients leave the clinic with a full face cover, and must be extremely careful to avoid any sun exposure during the 48 hours post treatment.
After treatment, the skin will be extremely red and slightly swollen for 3 to 7 days. Patients should avoid exposure to sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 48 hours. Exposure may result in a stinging and/or burning sensation, and may cause erythema or edema of the lesions. Sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.
Any sun exposure in this time can lead to severe burning and blistering. After 48 to 72 hours, the top layer of your skin will scale, flake, and peel, revealing new and improved skin below. Wearing a wide brimmed hat, and applying sun block with SPF of 30 or greater containing titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide is important.
The most common side effects include scaling/crusting, hypo/hyper-pigmentation, itching, stinging, and/or burning, erythema and edema. Severe stinging and/or burning at one or more lesions being treated was reported by at least 50% of patients at some time during the treatment.
If your dermatologist has assessed your skin and gave you a complete detection of precancerous spots, then we suggest you can to consult with our clinic director, Betty Lavari to get your skin to a healthier condition. At your personal consultation, you will get a customized treatment plan that is tailored to your face, your goals, and your budget. The sooner you set up your consultation, the sooner you will see results. Discover how sun damaged skin treatments in NU YOUTH MEDISPA can improve your skin by calling us at 416-551-3339 to request your complimentary laser skin evaluation at NU YOUTH MEDISPA.
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