ENHANCED IPL TREATMENTS WITH PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
IPL – Intense Pulsed Light Treatments
One of the most effective skin treatments Dr. David Kim offers in San Francisco is Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL. This is an effective treatment for removing sun damage, redness, aging spots, brown spots, and broken capillaries from the face, hands, neck and chest. Additional benefits include reduction of fine lines with tighter pores to achieve softer, smoother skin.We utilize the most technologically advanced system available for PhotoFacial, which gently delivers precise amounts of light energy through the skin’s surface. This energy eliminates pigmented areas under the skin such as broken blood vessels or brown lesions to create a more consistent, youthful skin color.
In addition the IPL treatment targets the water beneath the skin to tighten and stimulate the production of new collagen. As the new collagen forms, it softens the appearance of aging skin.
One of the most appealing aspects of IPL treatments is its minimal recovery and risk. Unlike resurfacing procedures, the IPL does not ablate the skin. This means that there is minimal redness or swelling. This has led many to call the IPL the “lunchtime facial” since one is able to go back to work or school immediately after treatment. Generally 3 - 6 treatments are needed to achieve full results.
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Photodynamic Therapy – IPL Treatments Using Levulan (ALA/PDT)
Photodynamic Treatment (PDT) is an FDA approved procedure that can greatly enhance the benefits of Intense Pulsed Light treatments. PDT involves applying a topical medication called Levulan onto the skin. Levulan is a clear painless solution made up of 20% Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA), a natural substance in each of our bodies. Once applied to the skin, it is absorbed into active cells such as oil glands, sun damaged areas, and red vessels.The ALA makes these targeted cells more sensitive to light. Once the proper wavelength of light hits the skin, these targeted damaged skin cells are eliminated.
The benefits of PDT are multiple and dramatic. Because it wipes out unwanted, damaged cells, PDT will improve fine lines, blotchy pigmentation, large pores, acne, redness, and sun damage.
One of the most remarkable benefits of PDT is its ability to destroy pre-cancerous cells and thereby treat pre-cancerous areas of the skin (called actinic keratosis or AK’s). If untreated, AK’s can grow into skin cancers. Because of its effectiveness, PDT is FDA approved to treat AK’s. Many insurance companies will pay for a portion or all of PDT therapy if a patient has a diagnosis of AK’s.
Although environmental light or sun light can activate the ALA which drives the PDT treatment. Dr. Kim believes that using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) as the activating light source is more controlled, reliable, and safe. In his office, patients receive the painless application of ALA, wait for one hour, then receive an IPL treatment. In effect, the treatment results in the benefits outlined above along with a “boosted” IPL session. In essence, the benefits of IPL are enhanced with PDT (removing browns and reds and improving texture).
In summary, Photodynamic Therapy with Levulan is beneficial for:
- Preventing skin cancer
- Improving fine lines
- Reducing pore size
- Improving skin texture
- Improving pigmentation
- Treating moderate acne
- Treating sebaceous hyperplasia
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David W. Kim, MD, Inc. • 490 post street, suite 933 • san francisco, ca 94102
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