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Photodynamic Therapy (also known as ALA-PDT)What is ALA-PDT?ALA-PDT or aminolevulinic acid -Photodynamic Therapy is fast becoming a standard treatment for photo rejuvenation, acne vulgaris, actinic keratoses (AK's), rosacea and sebaceous gland hyperplasia. ALA-PDT has become a therapy that is routinely used to enhance laser and light treatments. For our photo damage clients, more than 90% achieve outstanding results, and about 75% of the clients treated for sebaceous related conditions achieve greater than 75% improvement. Decreased oily skin and pore reduction is seen in most clients, as well as, improvements in smoothness and texture. ALA-PDT is becoming a very popular procedure, producing incredible results. Can acne be prevented? How is it treated? Acne is a fact of life for many adolescents. Approximately 90% of all adolescents and 25% of all adults experience acne at some point in their lives. In adolescents, acne breakouts are related to the natural release of androgen hormones, which occur during puberty. In adult women, acne is often related to the monthly menstrual cycle. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by eating chocolate, greasy foods or bad hygiene. In the U.S. alone, over one billion dollars is spent on acne medications and treatments each year. In many instances, the money spent yields less than satisfactory results, is cumbersome or causes side effects. Conventional treatments include over-the-counter cleansers and lotions, prescription antibiotics, retinoids and hormonal therapies. NOW there is a NEW treatment- Blue and/or Red light enhanced with ALA-PDT! What is Clear Light. How does it work? The Clear Light system uses a unique high-intensity blue-violet light that activates the bacteria-fighting militia called porphyrins. The porphyrins start a chemical reaction that produces peroxide, which destroys the P. acnes bacteria. This light is used to activate the ALA. What is a Blue Light treatment, enhanced with ALA? How does it work? When ALA enters the skin, it becomes metabolized. The skin cells turn it into a photosensitizer called a porphyrin. The sebaceous glands are the most active part of the skin for creating porphyrins and the sebaceous glands are the root cause of acne. Up until now, the only proven therapy for acne to markedly impact the sebaceous glands was Accutane or Isotretinoin. Accutane has however, numerous and fairly toxic systemic side effects. ALA is a very effective and viable treatment alternative. Blue light stimulates the ALA to reduce the size and activity of the sebaceous oil glands and increases the protoporphyrin destruction of the bacteria. ALA-PDT also causes collagen rejuvenation which decreases pore size! We have found that Blue light treatments alone are effective for treating mild to moderate acne but it's proving much more effective on moderate to severe acne or cystic acne when enhanced in combination with ALA. . How many treatments are required? The ALA-PDT protocol is usually 3 - 4 treatments with 3 weeks between each treatment. How effective are ALA-PDT treatments? The treatments are proving to be very effective providing long lasting results. Results are especially impressive when compared with conventional treatments, such as topical creams and oral antibiotics. ALA-PDT/Clear light treatments are providing similar results to Accutane without the systemic side effects. Most clients who receive the treatment said they would use it again. Will skin be blemish-free at the end of the ALA-PDT Treatments? Though the inflammation will be gone for a majority of clients, some may experience residual redness where the inflamed blemish was located. The redness will dissipate over time. Are the results from ALA-PDT permanent? ALA-PDT treatments usually help control acne breakouts for 4 to 16 months; after that, an occasional touch up may be necessary. Many clients are able to control their acne with topicals after initial ALA treatments and usually do not require future ALA maintenance. Who can benefit by the treatment? Most people can benefit from treatment. ALA-PDT has proven to be very effective on mild to moderate to severe inflammatory and cystic acne. Actinic keratoses, rosacea, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, sun damaged skin, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and those who wish to decrease pore size can also benefit! We will not treat pregnant women and people with photosensitivities may have increased downtime. |
