Blue Light Treatment

Tired of painful freezing of precancers, and then leaving with blisters all over? We offer a great alternative. PDT is an effective in-office treatment for actinic keratoses (or precancers) on the face, scalp, chest, arms, and legs. When Levulan or Ameluz is applied to the affected areas, it is absorbed by the damaged cells and makes the cells extremely sensitive to light. When the skin is exposed to the blue light, this light causes reactions which destroy the bad cells. Most patients experience little if any downtime. However, some patients will have a sunburn-like appearance, and even fewer will have peeling. Typically, the more sun damage, the stronger the reaction, which potentially leads to more downtime. Repeat treatments done within one to three months are typically more tolerable with less downtime.

The Benefits of PDT Treatment:

  • Recovery begins right after your treatment.
  • PDT Treatment targets and destroys only the damaged or precancerous cells and even some early cancers.
  • The entire area is treated so that non-visible lesions are also treated.
  • The majority of patients treated felt like they had good to excellent results, and many patients experience high clearance for up to one year.
  • There is little downtime and scarring is extremely rare.

Typically two treatments are required, one to two months apart.

Treatment is typically reimbursed by Medicare, BCBS of Alabama and many other insurance companies (as long as clinical criteria are met).

Application Steps:

Step 1: Application of the Topical Medicine

This is done in the office by a doctor, physician assistant, nurse or medical assistant. The Levulan or Ameluz is left on for one to three hours, and this will depend on the area being treated.

Step 2: BLU – U Treatment

After the medicine has been on your skin long enough, you will sit under the blue light for 16 minutes and 40 seconds. The nurse will coat you in sunscreen and review your instructions before you leave.

*You must avoid all sunlight for 48 hours after treatment, so plan to stay home and avoid sitting near windows.

Fill out the form below to schedule an appointment or consult with one of our Board Certified Dermatologists.

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