Overview: Aminolevulinic acid is a photosensitizing agent that is applied to the skin and incorporated into rapidly dividing cells such as sebaceous glands in acne or precancerous/cancerous cells in sun damaged skin. After an incubation time of 30 minutes to several hours, the treated skin is exposed to visible light of a specific wavelength to stimulate the photo destruction of these rapidly dividing cells.
Expected Results: This photosensitizing treatment very effectively treats inflammatory acne, rosacea, sebaceous hyperplasias as well as precancerous conditions and superficial skin cancers.
Preparation: Levulan Kerastick contains a clear solution of aminolevulinic acid that is applied 30-60 minutes (acne) or several hours (cancers) prior to treatment with a light source.
Post treatment instruction: Sun exposure and fluorescent light exposure must be strictly avoided for 24-48 hours after the treatment as photosensitivity from the sensitizing agent persists for this amount of time.
Time to desired results: 2-3 treatments every 2-3 weeks for acne. Usually one treatment for precancerous conditions/skin cancers.
Contraindications: Sensitivity to aminolevulinic acid, photosensitizing medications.
Lasting results: Many months with acne/rosacea, up to 10 years with skin cancer.
Downtime: Gradually diminishing redness and peeling for several days. Crusting occurs when skin cancers are present. Topical acne/rosacea treatments can be resumed when the redness has faded.
| Patient comments (source: Patient Satisfaction Report) | |
| 2009-12-03 11:16:46 | The neatness of the clinic and the efficency of the staff and the doctor. Dr. Ring fieil was wonderful and knows her fireld, i have been to several dermatologists and finally I found the one who knows what she is talking about. |
| 2010-01-20 09:53:38 | This is my 2nd experience with this practice. I originally came here for my son. The attentiveness of the Doctor and staff is truely a positive experience. Thank you. I wish all my doctor's appts were this pleasureable. |
| 2008-04-21 15:13:09 | Very knowledgeable and good at explaining the condition. |