The laser acne reduction uses a technology called photodynamic therapy or PDT. PDT uses a chemical that is in an inactive form and can be activated by a specific wavelength of light. Actually, the light is not a laser but an intense pulsed light flashlamp (IPL). The chemical (amino-levulinic acid or ALA) is placed on the skin and then activated with the light once it has absorbed for about 45 minutes.

When you arrive we will have you remove all makeup if any. Next, a professional microdermabrasion is performed by one of our staff specially trained to use the more powerful MD model of microdermabrader. Once the dead layer of skin has been removed by a refreshing microdermabrasion then the face is degreased completely with an acetone scrub. The ALA is then applied and allowed to "incubate" while you read or relax. Importantly, the ALA is specifically taken up into sebaceous glands more so than other parts of the skin. This leads to more treatment effect at these places. After incubation, the face is rinsed with water and dried. The face is then treated with an IPL (photofacial) to activate the chemical and improve on brown and reddish tinting of the skin. Since the ALA can be activated by sunlight we ask that you do not have sun exposure for 36-48 hours after the enhanced photofacial. For this reason many patients choose to have this procedure done on a Friday.

Once the treatment is completed there will be a slight stinging sensation to the face similar to a day old sunburn. The only post treatment you need to perform is extra moisturizing. We recommend "Twice as much, twice as often" as you normally apply. There may be some flaking and peeling but makeup can still be worn. If you have significant brown spots before the treatment these may darken for up to two weeks prior to fading away. We must wait at least 2 weeks before continuing the series of 3-4.