At Dr. Shah & Associates we offer the combined Levulan/ Photofacial treatment.  This method is the new and most encouraging procedure in the treatment of acne. Levulan (Aminolevulinic acid 20%) is a naturally occurring compound in small amounts in the body that is  used to treat sun damage and pre-cancerous legions, sebaceous hyperplasia, acne rosacea, together with improving skin texture and pore size.

The Levulan formula is applied on the face 30-90 minutes prior to receiving an IPL treatment which" activates" the Levulan medication. Levulan subsequently inactivates the bacteria that triggers acne, exfoliates the skin, unclog pores, and finally shuts down the sebaceous glands in the skin. This is revolutionary because sebaceous glands are the root cause in the formation of acne so it has a long lasting outcome even on severe acne.

Levulan acne therapy can even work in patients who have failed accutane. Accutane also targets the sebaceous gland but accutane has fairly toxic side effects. Levulan is a very safe alternative to accutane treatment with only a little down time.

The Photofacial Levulan treatment will improve acne, sun damage skin, acne rosacea, sebaceous hyperplasia, wrinkles, pore size, skin texture, pigmentation, and potentially prevents the development of skin cancer. This treatment can be performed one to three times spaced 4-6 weeks apart depending on the client's individual level of improvement.

Side effects include photo sensitivity, redness, and skin exfoliation.  Patients should plan this procedure when they can have at lease 48 hours free of sun exposure.  After care also includes gentle cleansing of skin, use of a broad spectrum sunscreen,  avoidance of direct sunlight for two days, and use of intense hydrating moisturizers thereafter.