How Effective is Levulan Pdt for Arms?

Yes, PDT with blue light can definitely help with back acne! It typically requires a series of treatments to get the acne under control. Blue light PDT works by targeting Cutibacterium acnes (the bacteria that contributes to acne). The blue light activates compounds in the bacteria or applied...

When you say that the technician exposed you to a blue light and "orange light," do you mean "red light?" You are correct, the red light source does emit within the 600nm wavelength range, but is much different than an IPL and is not used for hair removal. If an IPL was truly used to activate...

UVA and UVB penetrate very superficially. Most light sources that are used in PDT can penetrate deeper. Unfortunately 1 or 3 treatments with PDT can't reverse all the sun exposure and damage you already have.  My patients generally return for maintenance treatments every 3-5 years.

Levulan is active on your skin for 48 hours after application.  You need to stay out of the sun (or any other bright light source) for 48 hours, or you can get a burn.  You will actually feel tingling, burning, or warmth, and this is an indication that the medication is being activated...

The FDA has approved photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses on the face and scalp.  Nevertheless, many dermatologists use it on off-label areas including neck, arms, or legs.  In areas with thicker skin, such as the extremities, the incubation time for the levulan needs to be...

While there has never been a study on the use of PDT with Levulan or Metvixia or Allumera in women who are breast feeding, it is hard to imagine that any of the topically applied products would penetrate into the blood stream to affect breast milk.