Levulan for Actinic Keratoses
What is Levulan?

Levulan is a prescription topical solution this is used to treat actinic keratoses on the face and scalp. Levulan is specifically indicated for treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratoses.

How does Levulan work?

The active ingredient in Levulan is protoporphyrin 1X (PpIX). After the topical solution of the Levulan enters the skin cell an accumulation of protoprophysin IX results. When exposed to the blue light, the accumulated PpIX produces a reaction which results in free radicals. The free radicals destroy the abnormal keratotic cells in the surrounding tissue.

What does actinic keratoses look like?

Actinic keratoses are rough textured, dry, scaly lesions that form on the skin. They are also known and solar keratoses, sun spots, age spots or precancerous spots. These spots are the result from exposure to UV radiation due to excessive exposure from the sun. Actinic Keratoses can vary in colors and are most commonly found on the face, ears, scalp, back of hands, forearms and lips. 2% to 5% of these spots will become squamous cell carcinoma.

What are the benefits of levulan treatments?

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy treatments rejuvenate the skin leaving it healthier with a much more youthful and smoother appearance.

Levulan for acne
What is Levulan?

Levulan is a prescription topical solution that is applied to the face and body where acne is a problem. Levulan is a type of photodynamic therapy (PDT), which means the treatment involves the application of blue light illumination.

How does Levulan work?

Levulan ALA acne treatments selectively target the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands absorb the levulan and it is converted into a photosensitizer. Blue light is then applied and the levulan is activated. This activation shrinks the sebaceous gland, which improves the acne.

Are the treatments painful?

When stimulated by the blue light, there may be sensations like tingling and stinging on the areas being treated. This is alleviated by a topical anesthetic used for 20 minutes before the blue light is applied. After treatment, the skin appears similar to sunburn and there can be swelling which disappears usually with 2 weeks.

What types of acne can be treated?

Levulan ALA treatments are successful on moderate to severe cystic acne. Usually 2 – 4 treatments may be needed and are done 1 month apart.