Blue Light PDT

Blu-U Photodynamic Therapy

  • Living with acne, precancerous sun spots, or scarring due to acne is not a condition that needs to be accepted
  • Blu-U Photofacial light therapy is a treatment that is non-invasive and effective
  • It is used to treat acne, actinic keratoses (prec-cancerous sun spots) as well as sun-damaged skin
  • This procedure is non-invasive and pain free
  • Face
  • Neck
  • Hands
  • Feet
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Chest
  • Back
  • Scalp
  • The BLU-U acne light works with all skin types (I-VI) (from pale Caucasian to dark African skin types) and it is just fine if you have a suntan!
  • Blue light photodynamic therapy acts by killing acne causing bacteria, overactive oil glands and premalignant skin cells and precancers

What is Levulan Photodynamic Therapy?

  • Blue Light (Blu U) is combined with a topical medication called Levulan in a procedure known as Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
  • Photodynamic therapy for acne, precancerous sun spots and other uses, involves the application of Levulan ( 5-aminolevulinic acid), a medication which is then activated with blue light
  • Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is also known as ‘ALA/PDT treatment’
  • ALA/PDT treatment also has the unique ability to reduce oil glands, effectively treating stubborn acne and improving the appearance of some acne scars

What is Blue Light?

  • Blue Light or Blu U is a state-of-the-art system and the latest technique in photofacial therapy
  • The blue light system delivers painless light of blue colour that greatly enhances the results of your skin rejuvenation

What is Levulan?

  • Levulan (5-Amino Levulinic Acid) is a medication that is applied to the skin
  • This medication makes acne-causing bacteria and precancerous sun spots more sensitive to the Blu-U (Blue Light) treatments
 
  • Yes
  • This results in significant improvement in mild to moderately-severe acne
  • Acne can be treated with topical creams and lotions, birth control pills, antibiotic pills, retinoids, glycolic peels and microdermabrasion
  • Now PDT is another safe and effective alternative available for acne treatment
  • Blu U Levulan Photodynamic acne treatment involves three mechanisms of action against acne
    • Levulan treatment:
      • Inactivates the bacteria that trigger acne
      • Exfoliates the skin to unclog pores
      • Shuts down the oil glands (sebaceous glands) in the skin
    • This can produce long-lasting improvement
  • Levulan acne therapy can even work in patients who have failed prescription pills
  • Results with Levulan PDT are especially impressive when compared with conventional treatments, such as topical medicines and oral antibiotics

Can Levulan Photodynamic Therapy be used for skin rejuvenation, precancerous sun spots, improvement of sun damage and skin cancer prevention?

  • Yes
  • Levulan Photodynamic Therapy using Blue Light can be used for non-surgical skin rejuvenation
  • This procedure results in significant improvement in precancerous conditions such as:
    • Actinic keratoses
    • Sun damaged skin
    • Superficial skin cancers
  • Additionally it potentially prevents the development of skin cancer
  • Levulan is revolutionizing how we perform skin rejuvenation and how we treat sun-damaged skin
  • Levulan is preferentially absorbed by precancerous cells
  • When combined with Blue light the Levulan kills the cancer cells, and leaves the normal skin unharmed
  • It is particularly effective for actinic keratoses on the scalp, face, arms and legs
  • It has the added benefit of skin cancer prevention
    • Killing abnormal cells BEFORE they can become a skin cancer
  • Even those people with no obvious sun spots can be treated to prevent skin cancer from developing
  • Removing precancerous skin lesions
  • Preventing skin cancer
  • Improving skin texture
  • Treating sebaceous hyperplasia (enlarged oil glands)
  • The BLU-U treatment is very safe
  • The blue-violet light penetrates just deep enough into the tissue to reach the acne target
  • It only affects the P. acnes bacteria, not the normal tissue
  • It contains NO radiation and does not damage the skin itself
  • It has NO risk of causing cancer
  • Even though there is no evidence of complications, we will not perform this treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Unfortunately there are no government regulations as to who can own or operate a Blu-U machine
  • There is no minimal training required by regulatory agencies and virtually anyone who has the capital can purchase a machine and start doing treatments
  • For those reasons, you have to be very careful where you go
  • There are several questions you should ask:
    • Is the clinic a doctor’s office or a spa?
      • Blu-U can be potentially dangerous if not used by well trained technicians
    • How long have they been doing treatments?
    • Is there a doctor?
      • Is the doctor someone who is specialized in skin care and Blue Light therapy such as a dermatologist?
      • Or is the doctor a family doctor? Dentist? Chiropractor?
    • What are the qualifications of the technician who is treating you?
    • What type of Blue Light machine are they using?
    • Who will manage any complications is they should happen to arise?
    • Does the technician do a full and in depth consultation with you to ensure that you understand the pros and cons of treatment, the risks and benefits?
    • Do they take photographs to help monitor improvement?
    • Does a dermatologist check you first to make sure that you are a good candidate for therapy?

How do I prepare for my treatment?

  • The face should be cleansed with soap and water and free of any oil
  • Makeup cannot be worn during the treatment
  • Makeup may be re-applied immediately after the treatment
  • At your first visit a Blue Light PDT technician will provide a free consultation
  • During the consultation she will discuss the benefits of Blue Light, explain the procedure and benefits to you and answer any questions that you may have
  • Furthermore she will explain how the procedure works and how many treatments you will need, and provide you with a price quote
  • She will also ask you a series of questions to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure and to determine your skin type and sensitivity
  • After your FREE consultation the technician will call in Dr. Vignjevic
    • He will assess your skin type and whether Blue Light would be suitable for you
    • In addition, he will answer any further questions that you may have
    • You cannot be treated by the technician unless you have been assessed by Dr. Vignjevic first
  • If you decide to go ahead with a treatment, photographs will be taken of the treatment area
    • These photographs are strictly for your chart and will not be released or used without your permission
    • Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us
  • You will be asked to wash your face and to remove any makeup
    • It is not necessary to remove mascara, lip stick or lip liner
  • After this, the Photodynamic Therapy technician will initially cleanse the skin
    • She may use microdermabrasion (a fine spray of crystals) to remove dead skin cells and impurities
    • Microdermabrasion prior to treatment improves the penetration and effectiveness of the Levulan
  • When treating precancerous sun spots on the scalp, chest or back, acetone is used to remove skin oils prior to treatment
    • Acetone is not used on the face as it is too irritating for facial skin
  • After the skin is cleansed, Levulan, which is a clear solution, is applied with a cotton tipped applicator
  • Levulan can be applied to treat any area of the body including the face, scalp, chest, back, arms groins and underarms
  • The medication is left to rest on the face and neck for 60 minutes, the chest, back, arms and legs for 180 minutes
    • This application time is termed the incubation period
    • Short incubation times retain efficacy but diminish discomfort and side effects
  • There is normally NO discomfort to the patient with short incubation times and 8-10 minutes of blue light therapy.
  • After the incubation period the Levulan will be activated with Blue Light
    • You will sit comfortably in a chair or lie on an examination bed while the light is applied to the affected area for a period of 8 minutes
    • You can even listen to music while being treated
  • No anaesthetic topical cream is needed prior to the light exposure because the treatment is painless
  • You will be given special goggles to wear to protect your eyes during the treatment
  • During the treatment yout may feel stinging, tingling, prickling, or burning of the lesions, but this should go away after the treatment
  • After treatment with the Blue U, the solution will be washed off the skin using soap and water following the light activation
  • A healing cream is applied to the skin, and then a layer of sunscreen is applied last prior to leaving the office
  • You will be provided with a booklet of after-care instructions and the technician will recommend specific products to take care of your skin after the treatment
  • You will be provided with Dr. Vignjevic’s personal cell phone number should you have any questions or concerns that arise after office hours
  • There will be redness, and occasionally, mild blistering or bruising of the treated areas lasting from several hours to 3-14 days
    • This will depend on the sensitivity of your skin and the severity of your sun damage
  • The treated area might “crust”, “flake”, or look like a “cat scratch”
  • Any areas that become crusted are pre-cancerous areas that have been successfully treated
  • Some crusting and scabbing is considered a good result
    • This should resolve within 3-14 days
  • Most people are completely healed within 7 days
  • Your skin will be more sensitive for a few days up to a couple of weeks after your treatment
  • There should be some discomfort, but no significant pain
  • After 1 week, there might be some residual redness that will subside after a few days and can be covered with make up

Special precautions for 1 week after your treatment:

  • Keep the treated area out of the sun and bright lights for 48 hours
    • Exposure to the sun within this time period can lead to a severe blistering burn in the areas that were treated
  • If outdoor exposure sun is unavoidable, wear a hat with a brim, cover your face with a scarf, wear large sunglasses and use sunscreen
    • Sunscreen alone is NOT ENOUGH PROTECTION to prevent a burn in the first 48 hours after treatment
  • You should continue to use sunscreen daily for at least 4 weeks following treatment regardless of the time of year or if it is overcast or cloudy
    • Sun exposure may lead to the production of blotchy dark pigmentation which may take several months to fade
  • Avoid excessive heat exposure such as saunas, steam rooms, hot showers or baths, and strenuous exercising for 24 hours
    • This prevents the risk of blistering
  • You can return to normal activities immediately after treatment, as long as you avoid bright light and sunlight for 48 hours
  • Avoid any aggressive skin care products such as scrubs, exfoliants, alpha or beta hydroxy acid products
  • Keep clothing from rubbing the treated area and avoid other irritation to the area
  • Do not get hairspray on the treated area
  • Notify the office should you have any prolonged redness, excessive puffiness, or other unusual side effects

Skin Care Regimen – immediately after treatment and between your treatments

  • Specific instructions regarding cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreen use will be provided to you on the day of your treatment
  • Avoid the sun or bright lights as much as possible
  • Call the office where you had your treatment
  • If you are concerned that you have had an abnormal reaction, have a cold sore, or an infection – call your doctor’s office immediately
  • You should not be treated if you have:
    • Skin sensitivity to blue light
    • Porphyria (a disorder of the blood that can lead to sensitivity to light)
    • Allergies to chemicals called porphyrins
    • Lupus
  • Sometimes
  • Treatment of acne and actinic keratoses (precancerous sun spots) MAY be PARTIALLY covered if you have PRIVATE drug insurance
  • OHIP and regular provincial drug plans do NOT cover the cost of Levulan PDT therapy
  • To see if your private drug insurance will cover a portion of the cost of the treatment , call your insurance company and provide them with the Drug Identification Number (D.I.N.) for Levulan – 02243933
  • They can tell you if it is covered and how to get coverage
  • Typically, treatment sessions are approximately 1 to 2 hours long, once per month
  • Precancerous sun spots (actinic keratoses) require one to 4 treamtents with annual maintenace
  • Acne usually requires 4 to 8 treatments, with maintenance every 4 to 6 months
  • It is important to keep the treatment appointments recommended
  • By following the treatment plan, you’ll see maximum results and enjoy clearer skin

Which aesthetic products or procedures can be combined with Blu-U PDT Treatments?

  • Medical Facials, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, and Mineral Makeup,  can be successfully combined with Blu U Photodynamic Therapy
  • Medical Facials
    • This is a clinical facial, using pharmaceutical grade products by our qualified staff
    • This is a relaxing, enjoyable treatment which leaves the skin silky and hydrated
    • Recommended for:
      • Dehydration
      • Photodamage (sun damage)
      • Aging Skin
      • Acne
      • Dull Skin
      • Skin that needs rejuvenation
      • To learn more about medical facials, please click here
  • Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels (Lactic and Lactic with Retinoic Boost) help to:
    • Unclog pores
    • Improve skin tone
    • Remove devitalized and dead skin cell
    • Give the skin a fresh glow
    • To learn more about Chemical Peels, please click here
    • To learn more about Microdermabrasion, please click here
  • Mineral Makeup Consultations and Colour Matching
    • I am pleased to offer high quality makeup in my office which includes:
      • Sheer to Flawless coverage foundation (cream, liquid and powder)
      • Eye shadows
      • Eye liners
      • Lip sticks
      • Lip glosses
      • Blushes
      • Bronzers
      • Professional makeup tools (natural bristle brushes, lash curlers)
    • To learn more about our Hypoallergenic Mineral Makeup, please click here
  • Please click on the blue-coloured links above
  • E-Mail Us
  • Or call our aesthetic centre directly at 905-549-7873 to book a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable technicians
  • To see a short video clip in which Dr. V discusses  Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy, please click here