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Blue light photodynamic therapy device

Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy

Treat precancerous sun damage without surgery.

Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy combines a topical medication with specialized blue light to treat eligible actinic keratoses (AKs)—rough, scaly, precancerous spots caused by years of sun exposure.

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We offer Levulan® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) as a non-surgical treatment for eligible actinic keratoses on the face and scalp. This office-based procedure treats multiple areas of sun-damaged skin without requiring surgical removal of each individual spot.

Our medical providers evaluate your skin, explain your treatment options, and help determine whether photodynamic therapy, another non-surgical treatment, or surgical evaluation is most appropriate.

Patients from Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Fond du Lac, and surrounding communities can contact our office to discuss treatment availability.

How did I get AK's?

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY: KEY DETAILS

  • Procedure Time: 4 hours, which includes incubation time
  • Anesthesia: a fan may be used as a cooling method during activation
  • Recovery: 3-7 days
  • Results: appear within a few weeks. Final results in 3 months.
  • Combination Procedures: none
  • Approximate Cost: May be covered by insurance subject to copays, deductibles, and coverage requirements. Otherwise, the self-pay cost ranges from $349-$699 per treatment plus a $100 cosmetic consultation fee.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TREATMENT

What Is Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy?

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a non-surgical treatment that uses a light-sensitive medication, aminolevulinic acid (ALA), followed by exposure to specialized blue light. The medication is absorbed by the treated skin and converted into a light-sensitive substance. When activated by blue light, it produces a reaction that damages targeted abnormal cells. PDT is particularly useful for treating multiple actinic keratoses and areas of sun-damaged skin where precancerous changes may not yet be clearly visible. Unlike surgical removal, PDT treats a broader area of skin rather than removing and examining individual lesions.

close up image of AK

What Are Actinic Keratoses?

Actinic keratoses are rough, dry, or scaly patches that develop after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. They commonly appear on the face, scalp, ears, and other sun-exposed areas.

Although actinic keratoses are not invasive skin cancer, some can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Because it is difficult to predict which lesions may progress, evaluation and appropriate treatment are important.

Our Surgical Dermatology team offers several treatment options depending on the number, thickness, location, and appearance of the lesions.

Actinic Keratosis Treatment

WHY CHOOSE PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY?

Treat multiple precancerous spots without surgery

Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy offers several advantages for appropriate patients:

  • Treats multiple actinic keratoses in one area
  • Non-surgical, office-based treatment
  • No incisions or sutures
  • Can address surrounding sun-damaged skin
  • May reduce the need to treat each spot individually
  • Insurance and self-pay options available

PDT can be especially beneficial when numerous actinic keratoses are present across the face or scalp.

Not every lesion is appropriate for this treatment. Thick, suspicious, bleeding, or rapidly changing lesions may require a different approach.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Your Blue Light Treatment

1. Evaluate

Your provider examines the treatment area, reviews your medical history and medications, and determines whether PDT is appropriate. Suspicious lesions may need further evaluation or biopsy before treatment.

2. Prepare

The skin is cleansed, and surface scale may be gently removed or debrided when clinically indicated to prepare the treatment area.

3. Apply Levulan

A topical aminolevulinic acid solution is applied to the designated treatment area. The medication remains on the skin for a prescribed absorption period, depending on the product and treatment protocol.

4. Activate With Blue Light

The treated area is exposed to specialized Blu-U® blue light to activate the medication. Patients may experience tingling, warmth, stinging, or burning during illumination.

5. Recover & Follow Up

Your provider reviews light-avoidance precautions, skin care, and expected healing. Follow-up evaluation determines whether the treated areas have responded adequately or additional treatment is recommended.

Download Post Care Instructions

AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

Recovery & Healing

Redness, swelling, sensitivity, and peeling are common after photodynamic therapy. Many patients experience a sunburn-like reaction lasting approximately 3–7 days, although recovery varies.

During the first several days, treated skin may:

  • Appear red or swollen
  • Feel warm, tender, or sensitive
  • Develop scaling or crusting
  • Peel as the skin heals

Light Avoidance Is Essential

For at least 48 hours after treatment, avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor light as instructed by your provider.

The treated skin remains temporarily photosensitive. Exposure can cause significant burning, swelling, or blistering.

Sunscreen alone does not prevent this light sensitivity.

After the initial photosensitivity period, continue using broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and appropriate sun protection to help prevent additional damage.

COORDINATED SKIN CARE

When Blue Light Therapy and Surgical Dermatology Work Together

At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, patients have access to both non-surgical treatment of eligible precancerous lesions and surgical evaluation of concerning skin growths.

Actinic Keratosis Treatment

Some actinic keratoses respond well to Levulan Blue Light Therapy. Others may be better treated with cryotherapy, topical medications, or other procedures.

Our providers consider the thickness, number, location, and appearance of the lesions before recommending treatment.

Skin Cancer Evaluation & Surgery

Photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses is not a substitute for evaluating or surgically treating suspicious skin cancers.

Lesions that bleed, grow rapidly, fail to heal, or have concerning features may require biopsy, surgical removal, and pathology examination.

Our Surgical Dermatology team evaluates these concerns and provides appropriate office-based surgical treatment when indicated, with attention to closure, healing, and follow-up.

Can Treatments Be Combined?

Patients may have both widespread actinic keratoses and individual lesions requiring surgical removal.

When appropriate, our providers can coordinate surgical treatment and Levulan therapy as part of an individualized care plan.

Treatments may need to be scheduled separately to allow adequate healing. Suspicious lesions should be evaluated before PDT is performed in the affected area.

Actinic Keratosis Treatment Skin Cancer Evaluation & Surgery
Blu-U light therapy with real patient

Best Candidates

Blue light therapy with aminolevulinic acid is appropriate for patients with actinic keratosis on their faces or scalps. There are certain conditions that exclude eligibility for laser therapy. These include pregnant or nursing female, photosensitivity disorder, immunosuppressive disease, and diabetes, bleeding disorder, seizure disorder triggered by light, active herpes breakout, active shingles or any active infection. Also, some medications can be sensitive to the light, including tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can make the skin very dry, thin and vulnerable due to the rapid dying of cell tissue. During and up to one year after completing all oncology medical treatments, only gentle hydrating and restorative treatments can be performed on the skin surface. This would disqualify almost all the services of the Renaissance Medispa and the Laser Institute of Wisconsin™. If you have concerns, please address them with your medical provider. It is always best to err on the side of caution in treating compromised skin.

INSURANCE & SELF-PAY OPTIONS

Know Your Costs Before Treatment

Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy may be covered by insurance when performed for medically necessary treatment of eligible actinic keratoses.

Coverage depends on your insurance plan, diagnosis, treatment area, medication, and any applicable authorization requirements. Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance may apply.

Consultations are normally covered by insurance. However, if a patient wishes to bypass insurance, the cosmetic consultation fee is $100 and is non-refundable. This fee is separate from and is not applied toward the cost of treatment.

For patients without coverage or those who prefer self-pay for the treatment itself, we offer the following treatment options:

Treatment Self-Pay Price
Branded Levulan® per stick $699
Compounded aminolevulinic acid 20% $349

A second treatment may be recommended depending on your skin condition and response to the initial procedure. Additional treatment charges may apply.

Our team can help you understand anticipated costs before scheduling.

 

YOUR PROVIDER

Medical Care With Attention to Skin Health

Lauren Sullivan, APNP

Lauren Sullivan — Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy

Lauren Sullivan has been part of Fox Valley Plastic Surgery since June 2018 and is an experienced member of our medical provider team.

In addition to serving as the lead provider for vein services, Lauren performs Levulan Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy and other office-based medical procedures. She also assists with preoperative and postoperative patient care for our plastic surgeons.

Her experience across multiple treatment areas allows her to help patients understand their care, prepare for procedures, and follow appropriate recovery instructions.

When a skin lesion requires additional evaluation or possible surgical treatment, our providers can coordinate care with the Surgical Dermatology team.

Schedule a Blue Light Therapy Evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Light Therapy painful?

Most patients tolerate the procedure without anesthesia. Some experience warmth, tingling, stinging, or burning during light activation. Discomfort generally improves after the light treatment ends.

How many treatments will I need?

Some patients respond well to one treatment, while others require additional sessions. The recommended number depends on the condition being treated, the medication used, and the response of the skin.

Will Blue Light Therapy remove skin cancer?

Levulan Blue Light Therapy is used to treat eligible actinic keratoses. It should not replace biopsy or appropriate surgical treatment for suspicious or confirmed invasive skin cancers.

If you have a changing, bleeding, or non-healing lesion, schedule an evaluation before undergoing PDT.

Is Levulan better than freezing actinic keratoses?

Neither treatment is best for everyone. Cryotherapy is often used for individual lesions, while photodynamic therapy can be useful when multiple actinic keratoses affect a broader area of skin.

Your provider can explain which approach is appropriate for your condition.

Can Blue Light Therapy improve sun-damaged skin?

PDT treats eligible precancerous lesions in sun-damaged skin. Some patients also notice improvements in skin texture or appearance, but cosmetic results vary and are not the primary goal of medically necessary AK treatment.

Can I return to normal activities afterward?

Many patients resume routine indoor activities, provided they can follow the required light-avoidance precautions. Redness, swelling, and peeling may affect work or social plans for several days.

Does insurance cover Blue Light Therapy?

Many insurance plans provide coverage for medically necessary photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses. Coverage and patient responsibility vary by plan. Cosmetic applications generally are not covered.

What if I have both actinic keratoses and suspicious skin lesions?

Our providers can help coordinate appropriate care. Suspicious lesions may require biopsy or surgical treatment before PDT. When suitable, Levulan may be used later to address eligible actinic keratoses in surrounding skin.

Start Your journey today

Have rough, sun-damaged skin or precancerous spots that need treatment? Our team can help you understand whether Levulan Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy or another treatment is right for you.

Call 920-233-1540 to schedule an evaluation or request additional information about insurance and self-pay options.

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