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(650) 969-5488  Mountain View Office

(408) 729-5488  San Jose Office

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)


PDT can be especially useful for lesions on the face and scalp. Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), a photosensitizing agent, is applied to the lesions. Subsequently, the medicated area is exposed to strong light that activates 5-ALA. The treatment selectively destroys actinic keratoses, causing little damage to surrounding normal skin, although some swelling and redness often occur.

Now's also the time to manage your UV damage. 

Ask us about photodynamic therapy for your actinic keratoses treatment. Yes, it is covered by your insurance.

Levulan® Kerastick® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) for Topical Solution, 20% (Levulan Kerastick) plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U®Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator (Levulan PDT) is indicated for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratosis of the face or scalp. Actinic keratoses (AKs) are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin that can lead to skin cancer. Levulan PDT, a 2-part treatment, is unique because it uses a light activated drug therapy to destroy AKs.

So how does it work? Levulan Kerastick Topical Solution is applied to the AK. The solution is then absorbed by the AK cells where it is converted to a chemical that makes the cells extremely sensitive to light. When the AK cells are exposed to the BLU-U Blue Light Illuminator, a reaction occurs which destroys the AK cells.

Levulan PDT has a range of benefits that might be right for you. The 2-part treatment offers the following conveniences:

  • No prescription to fill
  • No daily medication to remember
  • Treatment is administered by a qualified healthcare professional at Khuu Dermatology


The 2-part treatment can also fit your lifestyle:

  • The 2-part, 2 office visit treatment is completed in a 24-hour period
  • Low downtime*
  • Excellent cosmetic response1
  • No scarring reported to date


*Patients treated with Levulan PDT should avoid exposure of the photosensitized lesions to sunlight or prolonged or intense light for at least 40 hours.