1. On the day of treatment, please arrive with CLEAN SKIN (wash area prior to appointment) and the treatment area free of makeup, moisturizing creams, sunscreens, fragrances, or lotions. 2. Anyone with thick, dense hair in the chosen treatment region should shave the area two days prior to treatment. Shave the treated region for at least three days following treatment. 3. Bring sun protection gear to your appointment to protect you during the incubation period and on the way home. We recommend bringing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and a scarf. If your hands or arms are being treated, you should wear gloves and long sleeves. The team has several side effects (such swelling, irritation, scabbing, crusting, and discomfort) that are significantly increased with ANY sun exposure, including INDIRECT exposure in the 96 hours following therapy. Cover the treatment area prior to leaving the office and throughout the duration of incubation. 3. Allow 2.5 hours at our office. This includes the 90–120 minute incubation period and the approximately 17 minute Blue Light activation period. 4. If history cold sores” or “fever blisters”) in the regions being treated, inform us so that we can prescribe medicine to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak following treatment. 5. Kindly inform us if you have any contraindications to PDT or Blue Light Therapy, such as pregnancy, lupus, porphyria, allergies, or intolerance to Levulan, PDT, or 400-450 nm blue light. 6. For one week prior to PDT, discontinue usage of all topical vitamin A preparations (such as Differi Retin-A and Tazorac). 1 month following your second treatment, you may resume these drugs. 7. Please notify us if you are taking any of the following medications, as they may exacerbate your reaction and increase your side effects: griseofulvin, sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim combinations such as Bactrim or Septra) and antipsychotic medications), and tetracyclines (doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline). 8. Please keep in mind that the most common side effects of treatment are scaling/crusting, skin lightening and/or darkening (hyper/hyperpigmentation), and itching. These symptoms often resolve within 5-7 days but may last several weeks. 9. Please refrain from wearing jewelry to your visit if you are having an extremity treated. Due to the possibility of swelling, you will be advised to avoid wearing jewelry for three days following your treatment. Wearing jewelry can result in a loss of circulation and, in extreme cases, amputation. 10. You must bring the following items to your visit and keep them at home for usage following treatment: • A hat with a wide brim for facial and scalp treatments. • Gloves for treatment of the upper extremities and long-sleeved garments for the treatment of all extremities. • A gentle cleanser without active chemicals or perfumes, such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, or Dove Unscented. • A high-quality sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 (we recommend zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as sunscreen ingredients). • A thick moisturizing cream without active chemicals or perfumes, such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Aveeno.
Avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor lighting for 48 hours following your treatment: • Limit your time in front of a computer screen and avoid watching television for extended periods. It would help if you were at least ten feet away from the television. • This includes windows with natural light, reading lamps, exam lamps similar to those seen in dental offices, and fluorescent and incandescent lighting. • If you must go outside during the first 48 hours following treatment, liberally apply sunscreen to the treated areas. A sunscreen with physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is a smart choice (Blue Lizard, Neutrogena Sensitive Skin). • Additionally, you should wear protective apparel and wide-brimmed hats to keep the treated regions out of direct sunlight. Sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes. • Cleanse with a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil, Aveeno, or Cerave. Maintain a healthy level of moisture in your skin: • We recommend using Cetaphil, Cerave Cream, or Vaseline as a moisturizer (petroleum jelly). • For redness and irritation, you may use an over-the-counter topical hydrocortisone solution (Cortaid) twice or three times daily. Apply for 3 to 5 days, if necessary, or until the redness subsides. • As needed, use a cool compress for any swelling. • Soaking in vinegar and water may help alleviate burning and tingling. 1 tbsp. White vinegar and 2 tbsp. Cold water Soak a washcloth in the water/vinegar combination and apply it to the treated area. • Tylenol or Advil may be used to relieve discomfort or pain.
No, Actutally it is the last treatment. Conventional topical and/or oral medicines are the first-line therapy for acne vulgaris. Many patients, however, have contraindications, exhibit only a partial response, experience major adverse effects, or experience recurrence. Light-based treatments and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical porphyrin precursors are both off-label treatments for acne vulgaris, each with its own set of pros and cons. There is currently no agreement on the approach and specifications for PDT. Working knowledge of acne pathophysiology, light–tissue interactions, and PDT mechanisms of action is beneficial whenever PDT is explored as an alternate treatment. Blue light alone, in general, improves acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. PDT with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or ALA derivatives elicits transitory antibacterial and anti-inflammatory responses. At high doses, red-light photodynamic therapy may cause sebaceous gland suppression or destruction, resulting in clinical improvement.
