| Acne Los Angeles Acne - Laser Treatment Options Patients suffering from acne have many treatment options which may include topical and internal medications, microdermabrasion, peels and other modalities. Another treatment which has become a popular choice for patients seeking to permanently reduce acne breakouts is PhotoDynamic Therapy. PhotoDynamic Acne Therapy (PDT) — An agent called Levulan® Kerastick® (aminolevulinic acid HCI) for Topical Solution, 20% (Levulan) is used in combination with various lasers. Levulan is a an acid that occurs naturally in your body. It is selectively absorbed into acne producing glands as well as other abnormal skin tissue such as actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous skin lesions) and makes those cells more sensitive to light. The laser light activates the active ingredients in Levulan. Different lasers are used depending on the condition being treated - acne, red acne scars or brown acne scars. How does PDT Work? The skin is cleansed using special solutions to remove oils. Levulan is applied to the skin for approximately one hour. The skin is then treated with Intense Pulsed Light, V-Beam PDL or Blue Light Laser (read below for explanation on different laser modalities. The patient is restricted from exposure to sunlight for 40 hours following the treatment. Peeling, redness and dryness may be experienced for up to one week after the treatment. The treatment is repeated three to five times two weeks to one month apart, depending on the severity of the acne. Acne is resolved for approximately one year and future breakouts are significantly reduced. Skin texture and tone are also dramatically improved contributing to the success of PDT . This treatment is used for moderate to severe acne patients. The mechanism of action from PDT treatment is similar to Acutane without the possible side effects often associated with Acutane. Specifically, it selectively destroys the acne producing cells in the skin. PLANNING YOUR TREATMENT: What to Expect Levulan with IPL - Combining Levulan PDT with IPL helps reduce acne as well as red and brown acne scars. This treatment also helps to significantly improve skin tone. In recent dermatological literature reported study results showed that IPL was the most effective laser or light source to activate Levulan and treat acne and flat acne scars. The IPL treatment is personally performed by Dr. Rubinstein. Levulan with V-Beam Pulsed Dye Laser - Combining Levulan PDT with V-Beam helps reduce acne and inflammation caused by acne. Vascular malformalities such as red facial vessels are also treated. V-Beam is also described in recent dermatological literature to be an effective activator for Levulan and treat acne and red acne scars. This treatment is personally performed by Dr. Rubinstein. Levulan with Blu-U Blue Light - Blue light has been combined with Levulan for several years, treating conditions such as acne and actinic keratosis. PDT with Blue light are used for patients seeking to treat acne, but not acne scars. It is also used to treat acne on the back and chest. Acne on the Back and Chest - PDT with Blu-U are used to treat acne on the back and chest. Levulan is applied overnight and treatment is performed monthly. Acne Scars - Acne scars can be red, brown or textured. Treatment for the red and brown acne scars is described above. Textural changes, ice pick scars, indented or raised scars and other textural imperfections are treated most effectively with the Fraxel Laser. Active, inflammatory acne may need to be controlled by topical or systemic medications before beginning laser treatments. A consultation with Dr. Rubinstein helps establish the most effective treatment protocol for each individual condition. Dr. Rubinstein is an expert in acne and has had excellent success with significantly reducing or eliminating acne and acne scarring. |
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| Gene Rubinstein, M.D. Board Certified Dermatologist Studio City, CA (818) 505-9300 |
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| Gene Rubinstein, M.D. Acne Laser Los Angeles Studio City, CA (818) 505-9300 |

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