Blue Light , Photodynamic Therapy, Clinical Skin Treatments for Acne:
What is acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that can occur at any age. Genetics, heredity and lifestyle are contributing factors. There is no cure for acne, but with the right home care and treatments it can be controlled.
Acne pimples, black heads and white heads occur when excess oil from our sebaceous glands become trapped within the skin's pores or follicles and cannot reach the surface of the skin. When oil is trapped, it produces a type of bacteria referred to as P. acnes. This bacteria inflames the skin, resulting in varying degrees of acne from mild to severe.
How can we treat your acne?
The key to effective acne control is tri-fold. Control excess oil, destroy the P. acnes bacteria before it has a chance to thrive and inflame your skin and properly exfoliate your skin.
At Vitality Medi Spa we offer comprehensive acne therapy by combining and utilizing the most up to date treatments such as BBL light therapy, topical photosensitizing medication, advanced clinical skin therapies and effective home care solutions.
Acne solutions:
Blue Light
For the treatment of acne vulgaris, the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator is used.
The BLU-U is a very specific blue light (410nm) that can kill the p. acnes bacteria in your skin. Treatments are simple you sit with your face close to the light for a short time, usually twice a week for 15 minutes or once a week for 30minutes. Treatments lasts for 5 weeks.
Treatments are very safe, are not hot, and not painful at all. After some weeks of treatment, the blue light can control your acne, or clear it up for a very long period of time with a success rate of up to 60%. In addition to appropriate skin care and the advice of our trained professionals, clearance rates are even higher.
When treating acne vulgaris, 417 nanometer (nm) blue light activates endogenous photosensitizes within the P. acnes bacteria. This process creates a toxic bactericidal environment in the sebaceous gland that inhibits infection and inflammation of the sebaceous follicle and formation of the acne lesions
Blue Light and Levulan PDT
Photodynamic therapy combines topical a photosensitizer – Levulan – with blue light – Blu-U – this is a therapeutic treatment for nonhyperkeratotic actinic keratosis of the face or scalp. Aminolevulinic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body; the active ingredient is converted to a photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX after absorption into the skin; Blue light activates this substance and produces singlet oxygen that destroys damaged and unhealthy cells only. It has been used for a variety of skin disorders, including acne and rosacea.
Dosage and administration:
Step 1: the face or area to be treated is prepared with rubbing alcohol, acetone or with Microdermabrasion
Step 2: the ALA solution is applied to the target lesions or affected areas by dabbing and brushing on the solution. Incubation time is required to allow the solution to soak into the skin.
Step 3: after rinsing and cleansing the treated area, it is then treated with Blu-U or a combination of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Blu-U.
Patients should avoid exposure of the photosensitive treatment site to sunlight or bright indoor light post treatment. Exposure may result in a stinging and/or burning sensation and may cause crusting, erythema or edema of the areas. Patients should protect treated lesions from the sun or bright light by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or similar head covering of light-opaque material. It is important to note that sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.
Transient symptoms of stinging and/or burning, itching, erythema, and edema were observed in all clinical studies and can vary in intensity depending on the degree of the condition being treated.
**Patients should avoid light exposure for at least 24 hours following ALA Photodynamic Therapy.**
Acne skin treatments greatly improve the appearance of skin affected by acne. Skin becomes clearer, with a more even texture and tone. Proper home care is essential in successful acne therapy.
To find out more about our Acne treatments or other cosmetic procedures, please call Vitality Medi Spa, Halifax, NS at 422-4475 x.2 to arrange a complimentary private consultation
