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What to Expect From Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® Treatments
Read about Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa
September 11, 2014
PDT - Photodynamic TherapyFew Americans are subject to the same volume of ultraviolet (UV) rays as Floridians. Unfortunately, overexposure to these solar rays may lead to sun damage, including a skin condition known as actinic keratosis (AK). Also called solar keratosis, AK presents with dry, scaly, red or pink lesions that can potentially develop into skin cancer if left untreated. Fortunately, Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® is an innovative treatment offered at our practice by Dr. Hunt that can often remove AK cells before they can become cancerous.The Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U® treatment consists of two steps:
- Application of Levulan® Kerastick® topical solution
- BLU-U® photodynamic therapy
When you arrive for your first session, Dr. Hunt will uniformly apply the topical solution to affected areas on the face and scalp. The solution will generally make your skin photosensitive, so we recommend you avoid bright lights and sun exposure and wear protective clothing for at least 48 hours.After a Levulan incubation period of 1-2 hours Dr. Hunt will then utilize the BLU-U® blue light illuminator, which is designed to cause a destructive reaction in AK cells treated with the topical solution, helping remove lesions. This is also the same procedure to help cystic acne by partially destroying the sebaceous oil gland.You may feel a slight stinging or burning sensation during the brief treatment, but this will typically subside quickly. Other side effects may include swelling, itchiness, redness, or scaling, but these should also fade over time. As side effects diminish, many patients begin to see dramatic cosmetic improvement, though we encourage you to continue avoiding sun or bright light exposure in the treated areas for at least 48 hours after your initial treatment for best results.For more information about treating actinic keratosis with Levulan® Kerastick® and BLU-U®, or if you wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hunt, please contact our office today.
