Newsletter February 2007 – Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Therapy With Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA)

Since 2004, Celibre Medical has been using a treatment called Photodynamic Therapy with Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA/PDT). This treatment enhances laser and light treatments that have already been proven successful by adding a light sensitive antibiotic to treat acne, sebaceous hyperplasia and Rosacea/facial redness.

What skin conditions are treated with ALA/PDT?

At Celibre, we have been using ALA/PDT for the treatment of cystic/nodular acne as well as acne vulgaris. This treatment is a safe option for those patients considering an alternative to Accutane or with those that did not respond well to Accutane or traditional non-ablative lasers.

ALA/PDT is also routinely used for the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia which is a common skin condition that appears as raised, fleshy bumps on the skin. These lesions usually appear on the oiliest parts of the face. Because ALA/PDT is absorbed preferentially by the cells within these oil glands, this treatment is quite effective at shrinking them. For those patients with facial redness and Rosacea, ALA/PDT is a good option in addition to our traditional and effective medical lasers. Although there is no cure for Rosacea, lasers and/or ALA with PDT are excellent options for controlling and improving this condition. By targeted the small blood vessels that contribute to Rosacea, we can decrease redness and improve the overall skin texture.

Photodynamic Therapy for Acne

How will I know if ALA/PDT is a good option for me?

Although ALA/PDT is safe for all skin types, there are a few issues that may prevent you from using this treatment option. An evaluation by our medical team will help to determine this. ALA/PDT also involves downtime away from work, school, and other activities due to the strict sun avoidance during the first 48 hours as well as diligent sun precautions for several days thereafter.

What expectations should I have with ALA/PDT for the treatment of these skin conditions?

We set the expectation that a minimum of two treatments spaced 2-6 weeks apart is usually necessary. Many require 3 or 4 treatments; very few will need beyond this. Although our medical lasers are also able to address acne, Rosacea, and Sebaceous Hyperplasia, not every treatment plan will fit your condition, goals, and lifestyle. Knowing that there are additional options such as ALA/PDT has been of much value to our patients that are struggling with their particular situation. Whether it is acne, sebaceous hyperplasia, or facial redness, ALA with PDT has provided our patients with good, consistent outcomes.

At Celibre, we focus on patient education. We want our patients to understand and participate in the decisions that make up their care plan. To this end, our knowledgeable medical staff is here to help you weigh the benefits and risks of our Laser treatments and Injections.

Our team would be pleased to offer a complimentary consultation to address your skincare goals. A good starting place is to gather information and view before and after photos of Celibre patients in our photo gallery.

At Celibre, we stay at the forefront of research and best practices so that we may offer the most appropriate and effective injections and laser treatment plans for our valued patients. Please give us a call to learn more about laser treatments and injections.