IPL is what we offer to rejuvenate sun damaged skin, remove pigment, redness, and reduce rosacea, there is a new addition to the procedure that can substantially enhance the results of the IPL photofacial. Known as Photodynamic Therapy or PDT, a photosensitizing agent in the form of topical cream is applied to the area undergoing the photofacial for a short time before it. The photosensitizing agent we use is Levulan (aminolevulinic acid). Levulan is absorbed selectively by those cells in the skin that produce pigment, the blood vessels that make our skin red and cause rosacea, superficial premalignant skin lesions known as actinic keratosis, and cells infected with acne causing bacteria... Levulan multiplies the effect and thereby the benefits of the photofacial treatment by targeting specific cells for destruction. This results in significant improvement in actinically damaged skin, sun damaged skin, some acne.

Additionally it improves wrinkles, pore size, skin texture, pigmentation, rosacea, and some acnes and actinic keratoses.

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy is ideal for:

• Improving pores
• Improving skin texture
• Improving pigmentation
• Treating some acnes and actinic keratoses

Preparation before your treatment:

• You must not be tan on the treated areas! Avoid self-tanners for 2 weeks prior to your appointment. If you are susceptible to cold sores you should ask for a prescription antiviral pills for 2-3 days prior to and after the treatment to prevent an outbreak of oral herpes virus infection.
• The treated area(s) must be clean, without makeup.

Description of the Levulan Photodynamic Therapy Procedure: Treatments are well tolerated and usually do not require an anesthetic.

• A clinician will apply the medicine.
• After 1-2 hours levulan will be activated with IPL (for sun-damage).
• You will be given special goggles to wear to protect your eyes during the treatment.
• During the treatment you may feel stinging, tingling, prickling, or burning of the lesions, but this should go away after the treatment.
• Treatments take about 45 minutes.
• There should be some discomfort, but no significant pain.

What to expect after the treatment

The pigmented spots and capillaries treated may appear with darker flecks or crusting temporarily. This is normal. The flushed look soon fades away, the capillaries appear to vanish, and the pigmented spots come off, leaving the skin looking younger and smoother than before. The area should be kept clean, however, be careful not to scrub the area or use harsh cleansers for the first few days after your treatment. After 1 week, there might be some residual redness that will subside after a few days and can be covered with make up.

What Is The Downtime With The The IPL photofacial With Levulan?

Anybody who has undergone a The IPL photofacial knows there is virtually no downtime. After a The IPL photofacial with Levulan you can expect 3-7 days where you will not look your best. Redness and mild to moderate swelling of the treated area followed by light peeling can be expected after PDT with Levulan. The intensity of the post treatment redness and swelling depends on how long the Levulan is left on prior to the the IPL photofacial , an individual's sensitivity to Levulan and the degree of sun damage, active acne and other underlying skin conditions the patient may have. As with the standard The IPL photofacial , pigmented areas of the treated skin will darken temporarily and disappear in a few days after the treatment.

Although you do not look your best after the treatment, your activities are not limited, as long as you either avoid direct sunlight entirely or protect yourself from the sun for 48 hours following the treatment.

We recommend that a good sunscreen be used, preferably a 30-60 SPF because this treatment will sensitive your skin to UV rays and can cause severe sunburn.

What is the frequency of treatment?

Facial, neck and chest treatments are usually repeated at 4-week intervals. A series of 4-5 IPL treatment sessions for each area is recommended for optimal results, but this varies by patient. You may need less sessions with addition of Levulan®.

When Will I See The Results Of A The IPL photofacial With Levulan?

The results will begin to be apparent as the post treatment redness and swelling subside in five to seven days. After this time, active acne resolves, rosacea improves, pigmentation lightens, and chronic redness reduces. Within two weeks after a PDT treatment, your skin will feel noticeably smoother. Any actinic keratosis you may have will largely disappear. Within months of a series of the IPL photofacial with Levulan treatments, fine lines and wrinkles usually show definite improvement.

How Many The IPL photofacial With Levulan Treatment Are Required?

Although there is increased post treatment downtime with Levulan, as compared with a standard treatment, less treatments are required to achieve remarkable results. For active acne, facial rejuvenation from sun damage, heavy pigmentation, and rosacea, three treatments are usually all that are necessary. Some patients are completely satisfied after only one treatment.

Can The IPL photofacial With Levulan Treatments Be Combined With The Standard Treatment?

We can combine one or two The IPL photofacials with Levulan treatments in a course, and may or may not be used with every IPL photofacial.