New Treatment for Precancerous Lesions
SKN Dermatology is excited to announce the addition of Photodynamic Therapy with BLU Light for the treatment of precancerous lesions of the skin.
How do you know if you have precancerous lesions on your skin?
If you’re noticing persistent dry, scaly spots that are not resolving on the highly sun-exposed areas of your skin like your face, scalp, arms, and hands they could be precancerous lesions called Actinic Keratosis, or AKs.
What is Actinic keratosis (AK):
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common precancerous skin condition characterized by rough, scaly patches that develop from cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds over the course of your lifetime. If left untreated, AKs have the potential to progress into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Therefore, early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial. They are very common in fair-skinned people who have had a lot of sun exposure since childhood.
Traditional Treatment Options for Actinic Keratosis:
Several effective treatments are available for AK, and the choice depends on factors such as the number and location of lesions, patient preferences, and overall health. Common treatments include:
Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the AK lesions with liquid nitrogen, causing them to blister and peel off as the skin heals.
Topical Medications: Creams or gels containing agents like 5-Fluorouracil or Imiquimod are applied to the affected areas typically for 1-2 weeks to eliminate abnormal cells. They work as topical chemotherapy or immunotherapy to kill the precancerous cells.
Curettage and Electrodessication: A procedure where the lesion is scraped off, and the area is treated with electric current to destroy any remaining abnormal cells.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): Combines a topical photosensitizing agent with a specific light source to target and destroy abnormal cells.
Like our new treatment option, LEVULAN KERASTICK + BLU-U
Introducing LEVULAN® KERASTICK® + BLU-U®: A New Treatment Option
FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment effectively targets and eliminates precancerous skin cells using a combination of a light-activated topical solution and blue light therapy for actinic keratosis.
A simple, two-step treatment is performed in our office to target AKs and offer a long-term solution for sun damage.
Benefits of LEVULAN® KERASTICK® + BLU-U®
HIGH CLEARANCE RATES
Clinical studies have shown that most patients achieve up to 100% clearance of AK lesions with one to two treatments.
LONG-LASTING RESULTS
Patients can experience sustained clearance of lesions, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
The procedure is non-surgical and typically well-tolerated, with minimal downtime. The treatment is performed in-office, eliminating the need for daily at-home medication applications.
This two-step, in-office procedure:
Application of LEVULAN® KERASTICK®, a topical solution containing aminolevulinic acid to the affected areas and left to incubate for 60-90 minutes allowing it to be absorbed by the abnormal cells.
The treated area is exposed to the BLU-U® blue light for 16 minutes, which activates the solution, leading to the destruction of the AK cells.
What to Expect During and After the Treatment:
Slight stinging and tingling during the BLU-U light exposure
Depending on the location treated, the treatment site will develop redness, swelling, and peeling, which will resolve within 1-2 weeks.
Post-treatment kits and care instructions will be provided.
Sun exposure should be avoided for 48 hours, and the skin will be more sensitive to light during recovery.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation to determine if LEVULAN® KERASTICK® + BLU-U® is right for you, please contact our office.