Levulon®

Levulon® is a photodynamic therapy (PDT) for rejuvenation of skin that has been sun damaged or is damaged by an active or dormant acne condition.  PDT effectively treats acne vulgaris and acne Rosacea, and minimizes pores and reduces oil glands.

In this treatment laser light beams are directed onto the skin, targeting both the bacteria in infected pores and overactive sebaceous oil glands which together cause acne. 

A photosensitive cream containing 5-aminolevulinic acid, or AMA (Levulan Kerastick) is applied to the skin 30-60 minutes prior to treatment.  The cream is preferentially absorbed by bacteria, hair follicles, oil glands, or overactive cells.  Illumination with a high density light beam causes a reaction in the targeted tissue resulting in destruction of specific cells. Treatment is generally performed in conjunction with PhotoFacial SM Elite Blue Light Therapy in 3 - 5 sessions.

^{Levulon® is US FDA-approved for application to remove certain cancerous tumors and actinic keratoses, which are precancerous lesions that develop on sun damaged skin.  Its use in treating non-cancerous sun damage and acne is by board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons on an approved "off-label" basis.}

^{Liposelection (Vaser Liposuction) Treatment for Face and Neck}

^{Vaser Liposuction (Liposelection by Vaser) is a recently developed very safe form of ultrasound-assisted liposuction to remove any generalized areas of fat excess on the body, including the cheeks, chin, and neck.  In this technique a probe is inserted beneath the skin to "liquefy" the fat before it is suctioned off by vacuum.} 

^{Often the small pouch of fatty tissue which develops with age under the chin can be easily removed by submental liposuction.  Liposelection is most often used in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as a face lift, neck lift, or buccal fat removal (redefining puffy cheeks, or “chipmunk” look that sometimes develops with age).}

^{Microdermabrasion}

^{Not to be confused with dermabrasion (a surgical procedure performed on the dermis), microdermabrasion is a gentle ‘blasting’ of the epidermis with crystals using a microdermabrasion machine.  The crystals loosen the dead, discolored, or crusted skin cells which are then vacuumed away.}

^{This accelerated exfoliation triggers a regenerative reaction in the lower layers of skin so that new cells are formed and move to the surface.  The result is a smoother, more even outer layer and a fresher, younger appearance to the skin.}

^{Microdermabrasion is most effective for surface discolorations and fine lines and wrinkles and can be performed on a regular basis.}

^{See    A Fresh Start: Which Exfoliation Treatment is Right For You?}

^{Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)}

^{Photodynamic therapy is a method of directing laser light beams into the skin, targeting both the bacteria in infected pores and overactive sebaceous oil glands which together cause acne.} 

^{See Levulon (PDT) for treatment to correct sun damage and acne.}

^{PhotoFacial SM Elite}

^{PhotoFacial SM Elite is a non-laser intense pulse light treatment used to disable unwanted accumulations of cells in problem areas.  A computer-controlled tube is used to generate high-energy broad spectrum light which is applied in a series of pulses to skin problem areas such as Rosacea, spider veins, flushing, sun damaged skin, age spots, or uneven skin texture.}

^{PhotoFacial SM Elite is a proprietary treatment protocol developed by Dr. Bitter, Sr. of the Epi Center Med Spa, San Francisco.}

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