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Serving: Ardmore, Mainline, and Center City Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Villanova, Gladwyne, Narberth, Wynnewood, Bala Cynwyd, Paoli, Devon, Delaware Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Penn Valley, Radnor, Wayne, Lower Merion
TREAT ACTIVE BREAKOUT:
ALA-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID AND LASER
FOR ACNE TREATMENTS
Acne Facts
Acne affects up to 60% of individuals between the ages of 17 and 35. Multiple studies show that the appearance of acne leaves one with diminished self confidence and can cause long term, negative self perception consequences. Physically, easily treatable moderate to severe acne can cause long term scarring and discoloration if not effectively treated.
The average wait for a physician's office visit for acne evaluation is 10-14 weeks.
Over the counter products may not be affective because individual skin types vary across a broad spectrum. Dry skin, Oily skin and multiple combinations of these two. In fact, the same individual's skin may change characteristics from season to season or over time. A single, mail order acne treatment product does not take these changes into account.
PDT-ALA (Photodynamic therapy plus Aminolevulinic Acid) combines both ALA with an intense pulse light laser that can significantly improve moderate to severe acne, including nodular cystic acne. Prior to this Photodynamic Acne Treatment, the best available treatment option for resistant and cystic acne was Accutane. However, Accutane treatment has significant side effects and monitoring that make it difficult for patients to take. Side effects can include birth defects, liver abnormalities, mood depression, and severe skin dryness and night vision changes.
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PDT-ALA Treatment provides a great option to Accutane with minimal side effects. Three to five treatments are advisable at two to three week intervals to obtain optimal results. Your physician will discuss with you how many you need or if this can be combined with our resurfacing laser after the acne improves to help with scarring.
PDT-ALA treatments inactivate the bacteria that trigger acne, exfoliate the skin to unclog pores, and decrease the activity of overactive sebaceous glands in the skin that cause acne. Because it works on acne in so many ways, the majority of patients obtain long lasting results.
Topical acne medications need to be used in between the PDT ALA treatments once the redness of the treatment has diminished to optimize the results.
If you are on any light sensitive agents such as Retinoids, salicyclic acid, and/or antibiotics, you need to stop these three to seven days before your treatment.
If you have a history of cold sores, please tell your physician so you can begin medication the day before to prevent an outbreak.
When you come to the center, please make sure that the skin is free of all makeup, sunscreen and moisturizers. If you have this on, our aesthetics team will remove them for you. This is followed by an acetone scrub or a microdermabrasion. This is a deep cleansing of the skin so the ALA can be better absorbed by the skin.
The Levulan (ALA), which is a clear painless solution, is applied to the skin and left on for 30-60 minutes. The ALA is absorbed by the sebaceous glands during this time. After this, the ALA is washed off with a gentle cleanser..
The skin is exposed to either a blue light or red light from an Intense Pulse Light Laser. This takes about 15-20 minutes. This light therapy causes the Levulan (ALA) to be activated which begins to slowly destroy the sebaceous glands and bacteria that cause acne. There is no down time with this laser.
After the laser, your skin is cleansed again, hydrated and sun block is applied. You must avoid sun or direct office light exposure for the next 24-48 hours. It is best to remain indoors for the first 24 hours. If the sun is exposed to excessive light, the skin can become intensely red, peel and swell for the next one week. You can repeat a treatment within 2-4 weeks if there are no other side effects or concerns. Sun block that covers both UVA and UVB rays must be worn for the next week to protect the skin. Our team will discuss with you the best skin care program to use in between your treatments.
AM Regimen
PM Regimen
Step 1
Antibacterial cleanser
Antibacterial cleanser
Step 2
Acne gel or acne pads
Acne gel or pads if needed
Step 3
Ultrasmoothing SPF
Ultrasmoothing cream
Step 4
AHA 15
Click here to visit our online store to conveniently and securely purchase quality Neostrata products. Call 1.877.642.2644 or email info@shantimedspa.com now to order your Physician grade Neostrata Acne regimen. Clinically proven to be more effective than over the counter regimens including Proactive. Remember: Maintenance is the cornerstone of effective acne management"
