It is a fact that in today's world, many patients have skin conditions that affect their appearance and that they would like to have improved. A recent advance called Photodynamic Therapy offers an improved method to treat several skin conditions with a high degree of safety and a quick recovery time.

Photodynamic Therapy for acne targets the overgrowth of bacteria and the excessive production of oil by enlarged sebaceous glands that are part of the cause of acne. Photodynamic Therapy for acne begins with a thorough cleansing of the skin, after which a medication called Levulan is applied to the skin for approximately 30 minutes. (Levulan is a 20% solution of Aminolevulinic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance found in every person.) During this half-hour period, the Levulan is absorbed by the sebaceous glands on the face. The facial skin is then exposed to blue light of a specific wavelength for approximately 8 minutes. The blue light activates the Levulan, and this ultimately results in a significant reduction in the number of bacteria and a reduction in the production of oil by the sebaceous glands. Since the presence of excessive bacteria and oil in the sebaceous glands are two of the root causes of acne, these changes help to clear the skin of acne.

Ideal candidates for photodynamic acne treatment have moderate or severe acne that has not responded well to the usual topical mediations and antibiotics used to treat acne. Photodynamic acne therapy is also an excellent alternative to Accutane and its associated potential side effects.

Photodynamic Therapy for Facial Rejuvenation and Actinic Keratoses is a slightly different procedure. This treatment is an effective method for treating the brown spots, broken capillaries, freckles, and actinic keratoses (changes in the skin that can lead to skin cancers) that result from sun exposure. The levulan is generally left on the face for a somewhat longer period of time, usually 45-60 minutes. Then, the facial skin is exposed to intense pulsed light. The light activates the Levulan, beginning a chemical reaction that ultimately leads to a substantial reduction in the number of sun damaged skin cells. This treatment results in a reduction in skin pigmentation, a more uniform skin color, improved skin texture, and a more youthful appearing skin. In addition, the treatment also effectively removes many of the actinic keratoses that might be present.

Photodynamic therapy, whether for acne or for facial rejuvenation, is very safe and has the advantage of treating the entire face at one time. Patients will need to remain inside immediately after the procedure and the following day. Some patients might turn red. When this occurs, it generally resolves within a few days, and can be covered with make-up. Generally, patients will need three to five photodynamic treatments to obtain an optimum result.

Photodynamic therapy is a welcome advance in skin care. It has given us a new option for treating our patients, and it has helped our patients improve more quickly than they otherwise would. Our patients have been quite pleased with the results that they have received from Photodynamic Therapy.

The Polaris is a new method for treating wrinkles without surgery. It is FDA approved for the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles. New York Magazine has named the Polaris the Best Anti-Aging Treatment. The Polaris uses a new technology known as "ELOS," an abbreviation for electro optical synergy. With ELOS technology, radio frequency energy is combined with light energy to stimulate collagen production, and reduce or eliminate wrinkles.

Polaris treatments require no special preparation. The entire face can be treated in thirty to forty minutes, and make-up can be applied immediately after the procedure. Patients can resume their normal activities as soon as they leave the office.

We are very excited about this new wrinkle reduction technology. Although the regular price of a series of five Polaris treatments is usually $4000, in honor of Valentine's Day we are reducing the price to $2850 during February and March, in order to make the treatment available to more of our patients. We are currently holding consultations with patients who desire treatment for facial wrinkles. Patients who believe they would benefit from Polaris treatments or who have questions about their facial wrinkles are invited to discuss this problem with either Dr. Amerian or Dr. Anterasian.

Dr. Mary Lee Amerian and Dr. George Anterasian are proud to announce that we have now obtained our new FRAXEL™ Laser. The FRAXEL™ Laser was introduced earlier this year, and is the only laser made today that utilizes a new technology called Fractional Resurfacing. With Fractional Resurfacing Technology, the desired results are obtained by treating a fraction of the skin's surface at a time. During the treatment, microscopic closely spaced laser spots are delivered to the skin, while simultaneously preserving normal healthy skin between these spots. This preservation of healthy skin between the laser spots results in rapid healing following the laser treatment.

The FRAXEL™ Laser has been FDA approved for the treatment of wrinkles around the eyes and the treatment of age spots, sun spots, and sun-damaged skin. We are using this laser to accomplish full facial resurfacing. The entire face can be treated with the laser in approximately 30 minutes. Clinical studies suggest that an effective treatment plan is three to five laser sessions, spaced one to two weeks apart. Results are immediate and progressive, with the optimal cosmetic result usually visible a few months following the last treatment. Patients have been quite pleased with their results.

Treatments with the FRAXEL™ Laser have no significant recovery downtime, and make-up can be applied immediately following the procedure. There is no need for pain medicine after the treatment because any discomfort is minimal. The skin may have a pinkish tone for a few days, which is a normal sign that the skin is healing. Patients can return to work immediately following their treatment, or the next day.

Our office is among the very first in Southern California to obtain the FRAXEL™ Laser and make it available to our patients. Although a series of five FRAXEL™ Laser treatments normally costs approximately $5,000, during December and January we are reducing the price to $3,950. We are currently holding consultations with patients who believe they would benefit from this new laser technology or who have questions about it. Our patients are invited to call 310-829-9396 or contact us to make an appointment to discuss FRAXEL™ Laser treatments with either Dr. Amerian or Dr. Anterasian.