TDC Health News

Blue Light Therapy Published October 10, 2017 @ 2:04pm

In the United States, Blue Light Therapy (also known as Photodynamic Therapy) is being used to treat Acne and Precancerous growths called Actinic Keratoses.

An Innovative Way to Control Moderate Acne

Just like teenagers, adults also have trouble with acne that is hard to treat.If you have moderate acne, Blue light may be a option( without using drugs or antibiotics).

What is BLU-U Blue Light Treatment?

The BLU-U is a unique blue light that kills the P. acnes bacteria in your skin. Treatments are simple — you sit with your face close to the light for a short time at a schedule set up by your doctor, approximately a 17-minute session about once or twice per week. The treatments may go on for five weeks or so. It's safe, it's not hot, it's not painful. After some weeks, the blue light can help control your acne.

A proven way to treat precancerous growths.

The skin can also be prepared prior to Blue Light treatment with the topical photosensitizing drug Levulan, which intensifies the Blue Light effect. This combined therapy has cosmetic benefits too, as it helps correct photoaging. The number of Blue Light sessions recommended for proper treatment is determined by the dermatologist.

Actinic Keratosis (AK's), rough, scaly, and potentially dangerous patches or bumps that appear on the skin surface, can now be effectively treated with Blue Light. If left untreated, AK's can develop into skin cancers called squamous cell carcinomas. The Blue Light can render the small but not-to-be-ignored pre-cancerous patches harmless. The skin can also be prepared prior to Blue Light treatment with the topical

LEVULAN KERASTICK will be uniformly applied to your AK lesions.
Your physician will direct you to wait the recommended time in order to allow the solution to penetrate the targeted cells. Then you will return for the second part of your treatment which includes illuminating your treated lesions with the BLU-U® blue light.
You should not wash your face in between treatment steps.
Avoid exposing the treated lesions to sunlight and other forms of bright light for at least 40 hours. Examples include exam room examination lights, operating room lamps, tanning bed lights, and household lights at close range. Sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light during this time. Remember to wear light protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat, during this time.

Treatment Step 2: BLU-U Treatment

Before your BLU-U treatment, gently rinse and pat dry the treated area.
Your treatment with the BLU-U will take approximately 17 minutes.
Protective eyewear should be worn during your BLU-U treatment.
You may experience stinging or burning during your BLU-U treatment, but this should subside between 1 minute and 24 hours after the BLU-U is turned off.

After Treatment

You may apply moisturizers as needed.
The most common side effects are:

Burning/stinging, which could be severe, may last up to 24 hours after your BLU-U treatment
Redness and swelling which may last up to 4 weeks after your BLU-U treatment
Scaling/crusting which may last up to 4 weeks after your BLU-U treatment

General precaution for sun exposure:

On a daily basis, always remember to use sunscreen and wear sun protective clothing to shield your skin from the sun's damaging rays.

Who should NOT take LEVULAN KERASTICK?

LEVULAN KERASTICK should not be taken by patients who have cutaneous photosensitivity at wavelengths at 400-450 nm, porphyria, or known allergies to porphyrins, and in patients with known sensitivity to any of the components of the LEVULAN KERASTICK for Topical Solution.

LEVULAN KERASTICK has not been tested on patients with inherited or acquired coagulation defects. There have been no formal studies of the interaction of LEVULAN KERASTICK for Topical Solution with any other drugs and no drug-specific interactions were noted during any of the controlled clinical trials. It is possible that concomitant use of other known photosensitizing agents might increase the photosensitivity reaction of actinic keratoses treated with the LEVULAN KERASTICK. It is important to tell your physician if you are taking any oral medications or using any topical prescription or non-prescription products on your face or scalp. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.

What are the possible side effects?

The most common side effects include scaling/crusting, hypo/hyper-pigmentation, itching, stinging, and/or burning, erythema and edema. Severe stinging and/or burning at one or more lesions being treated was reported by at least 50% of patients at some time during the treatment.

What precautions should be taken?

Patients should avoid exposure of the photosensitive treatment sites to sunlight or bright indoor light for at least 40 hours after application of LEVULAN KERASTICK. Exposure may result in a stinging and/or burning sensation and may cause erythema or edema of the lesions. Sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.

Patient Educational Video link below:

http://www.dusapharma.com/levulan-pdt-patient-education-video.html

-George W. Monks, M.D.

Dr. Monks is a 1999 graduate of the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. He completed his dermatology residency at O. U. in 2003. He joined Tulsa Dermatology Clinic, Inc. in 2003. Dr. Monks is board certified in dermatology. Dr. Monks treats all medical and surgical dermatology diseases with a special interest in skin cancer, psoriasis and Botox.