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Blog & In the News

PDT – Photodynamic Therapy

Read about Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa

Sep 2014

sun

Benefits of Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® for Treating Precancerous Lesions & Cystic
Acne
One 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:

  1. No prescription medication to fill
  2. Non-invasive treatment
  3. Minimal downtime
  4. Typically no scarring
  5. 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.