Blog & In the News
PDT - Photodynamic Therapy
Read about Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa
September 9, 2014
Benefits of Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® for Treating Precancerous Lesions & Cystic AcneOne of the best reasons to live in Florida is the beautiful weather; however, year round sunshine also raises the risk of skin cancer. Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is caused by exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays. These red, scaly growths have a rough texture and may resemble warts or patches of dry raised spots on the skin. Typically located in sun-exposed areas such as the face, bare scalp, and hands, these lesions can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma—the second most common form of skin cancer—if left untreated. Removing AK cells before they develop into skin cancer should be a priority for everyone experiencing this condition.Our practice offers a two-step technique for treating AK cells utilizing Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® photodynamic therapy. This non-invasive, two-part system is designed to target and destroy AK lesions using a topical solution and blue light illumination. Benefits of Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® include:
- No prescription medication to fill
- Non-invasive treatment
- Minimal downtime
- Typically no scarring
- Generally a 2 hour treatment process
As there is no way to determine which AK cells will eventually become cancerous, Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® can often be an excellent method for reducing risk. Additionally, we always recommend patients use preventative measures such as wearing protective clothing and sunscreen to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.In addition to helping to treat sun damage, photodynamic therapy can typically reduce cystic acne by partially destroying the sebaceous gland and is an alternative to oral or topical antibiotics.If you are interested in learning more about Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® treatment, check back to our blog soon for a follow-up post on the patient experience. If you have any questions or wish to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.
