BlueLight and OmniLux

Now offering Levulan PDT services!

Unique treatment effectively treats AKs, which are sun damaged skin cells, that if left untreated could develop into skin cancer

The condition

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin often referred to as “sun spots”. They are caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight and they occur most frequently on the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms.

The treatment

Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for Grade 1 or 2 (minimally to moderately thick) AKs of the face or scalp. Levulan® PDT is a unique treatment because it consists of a special topical solution that is applied to AK lesions followed by exposure of the treated lesions to a patented BLU-U® blue light. The benefits of this treatment are:

75%-100% clearance of AKs in the majority of patients
Good to excellent cosmetic response (Data on file, DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.®)
Generally well tolerated by patients
Treatment is covered by Medicare and many insurance companies

Why this treatment

AKs are considered to be the first step in the development of skin cancer. They have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma which is generally not life threatening if detected and treated early.

In most cases, when AKs and all types of skin cancers are caught in the early stages, they are treatable and curable.

The Levulan Kerastick for Topical Solution, 20%, is absorbed by the AK cells where it is converted to a chemical that makes the cells extremely sensitive to light. When the treated AK cells are exposed to the patented BLU-U blue light, this light causes reactions which destroy the AK cells. The combination of these 2 steps produces a localized therapeutic effect that targets AK cells for destruction.

Who is the appropriate patient?

Patients who have Grade I or II AKs of the face or scalp. In addition, any patient who wants:

A short treatment course
No scarring
Good to excellent cosmetic effects
Physician controlled therapy

Important product safety information

What is Levulan® Kerastick® used for?

The Levulan Kerastick for Topical Solution plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator is indicated for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratoses (Grade 1 or 2) of the face or scalp.

Who should NOT take Levulan Kerastick?

Levulan Kerastick should not be taken by patients who have cutaneous photosensitivity at wavelengths of 400-450 nm, porphyria, or known allergies to porphyrins.

Levulan Kerastick has not been tested on patients with inherited or acquired coagulation defects. There have been no formal studies of the interaction of Levulan Kerastick for Topical Solution with any other drugs and no drug-specific interactions were noted during any of the controlled clinical trials. It is possible that concomitant use of other known photosensitizing agents might increase the photosensitivity reaction of actinic keratoses treated with the Levulan Kerastick. It is important to tell your physician if you are taking any oral medications or using any topical prescription or non-prescription products on your face or scalp. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.

What are the possible side effects of Levulan Kerastick?

The most common side effects include scaling/crusting, hypo/hyperpigmentation, itching, stinging, and/or burning, erythema and edema. Severe stinging and/or burning at one or more lesions being treated was reported by at least 50% of patients at some time during the treatment.

What precautions should be taken?

Patients should avoid exposure of the photosensitive treatment sites to sunlight or bright indoor light prior to and at least 48 hours after blue light treatment. Exposure may result in a stinging and/or burning sensation and may cause erythema or edema of the lesions. Sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.

We offer BlueLight and OmniLux for patients in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Island, Jupiter, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coral Springs, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm City, Pompano Beach, Port St. Lucie, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Stuart, and surrounding South Florida communities.