Photodynamic Therapy

At Marcus Medical, we are proud to offer photodynamic therapy to help our clients treat a wide range of common skin imperfections – including acne, sun damage, pre-cancerous lesions and more.

What is Photodynamic Therapy?

Photodynamic therapy, also known as PDT, is a non-invasive procedure that has been used for years to treat imperfections on the skin. An extremely effective and precise treatment option, photodynamic therapy is able to target damaged skin cells, without harming the healthy surrounding tissue. At Marcus Medical, we routinely use PDT to treat:

Acne
Superficial acne scars
Rosacea
Sun damage
Oily skin
Large pores
Wrinkles
Pre-cancerous lesions

How Does Photodynamic Therapy Work?

Photodynamic therapy works by combining a photosensitizing solution called Levulan Kerastick with light therapy. The Levulan Kerastick is first applied to the treatment area and the light then activates the solution – allowing it to eliminate damaged skin cells without harming the healthy ones. The therapy works differently depending on which skin conditions you’re treating. For example, in acne patients, the Levulan activates the bacteria that triggers acne, exfoliates the skin to unclog pores and decreases the activity of the oil glands. For patients with pre-cancerous lesions, the Levulan is absorbed by the cancer cells which makes it sensitive to light. When the light energy is directed at the pre-cancerous lesions at the proper wavelength, the drug is activated and the cancer cells are destroyed.

What to Expect Before, During and After the Procedure

Your photodynamic therapy treatment will begin during your initial consultation, when our experienced specialists evaluate the imperfections that concern you most and identify the optimal way to address them. Photodynamic therapy is a highly customizable procedure, and we will take great care to ensure we’ve developed the ideal treatment plan for you. On the day of your actual procedure, there are three steps involved with photodynamic therapy:

Step 1

Apply the Levulan (the photosensitive solution).

Step 2

Allow the Levulan to sit on the skin for 60 minutes.

Step 3

Apply a red light, blue light or intense pulsed light (IPL) to activate the solution and target damaged skin cells.

You can expect the entire procedure to be virtually pain-free, with only a slight stinging or warming sensation during treatment with the light source. After your procedure, you will be advised to avoid exposure to sunlight for the first 48 hours to protect your skin and ensure an optimal result. It’s common to experience redness and peeling in the treatment area after the procedure, though it will subside gradually within several days.

Am I a Good Candidate for Photodynamic Therapy?

At Marcus Medical, we’re committed to personalized care, and we only administer treatments if it’s truly in the client’s best interest. As such, we determine candidacy for all of our procedures on an individual basis, following a thorough discussion of your cosmetic goals, concerns and desires.

During your initial consultation for among the best photodynamic therapy Los Angeles has available, we will carefully evaluate the skin imperfections that you want to address, before determining whether or not photodynamic therapy is the ideal treatment option for you.

If you would like to further discuss among the best photodynamic therapy Redondo Beach has available to improve an unwanted skin condition, we encourage you to schedule a consultation today. During that meeting, we will advise on whether or not you’re an ideal candidate for photodynamic therapy, as well as compose a personalized treatment plan designed to address the imperfections that concern you most. You may request a consultation online, or if you prefer, you may call the office directly and one of our seasoned staff members will be able to assist you. We cater to all surrounding areas, such as: Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes, Torrance, El Segundo, Hawthorne, San Pedro, Long Beach & Los Angeles.

We are conveniently located in Redondo Beach, making it easy for our neighbors to take advantage of a medical spa Los Angeles clients can easily drive to.

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Dr. Keith Marcus The Plastic Surgeon Behind the Marcus Medical

Dr. Keith Marcus, the director of the Marcus Medical Spa, is a board-certified head and neck surgeon, specializing in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Marcus is an active member of the Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Marcus feels that treating each client completely is the most important aspect of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He personally performs many of the non-invasive procedures such as BOTOX, Dysport, Juvederm, Voluma, CoolSculpting, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Laser Hair Removal and Microneedling.

Dr. Marcus has made it his goal to ensure that Marcus Medical Spa delivers nothing short of premier non-invasive treatment, as among the finest medical spa Los Angeles and Redondo Beach have available. As a facial plastic surgeon, he is able to ensure a new standard in the world of medspas, standing behind every procedure delivered and thoroughly ensuring the quality of the work. In this way, Dr. Marcus and his team provide each client with a higher level of attention and care.