What are Actinic Keratoses?

Actinic keratoses (AK) are tough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin that are caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) such as sunlight. Up to 58 million American have AKs.

• AKs are often called “sun spots”
• They occur most often on areas such as the face, scalp and ears
• They can range in color from skin toned to reddish brown
• They can be as small as a pinhead or larger than a quarter

Who gets AKs?

Aks develop as at the result of years of just doing simple tasks outside can ad up to a significant amount of sun exposure. For Example:

• Going out the the mail box
• Playing an outdoor sport

Because AKs take a long time to develop, they generally appear after the age of 40. Your risk of developing AKs increases if you have one or more of the risk factors.

Risk Factors

• A history of cumulative sun exposure
• Fair skin
• Blonde or red hair, in particular if combined with blue, hazel or green eyes
• A tendency to freckle or burn after sun exposure
• A weakened immune system

BLU-U®

In addition to its actinic keratoses indication (see above), BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy is also a non-drug therapy for moderate acne. The BLU-U is a unique, specially designed blue light that kills the P. acnes bacteria in your skin. BLU-U acne treatments are gentle and typically well tolerated by patients. http://www.dusapharma.com/portfolio-of-products.html

During Blue-U treatment

The BLU-U blue light is low intensity and will not heat the skin. However during the light treatment, you may experience sensations of burning, tingling, stinging, or prickling of the treated AKs. The sensation of stinging and/or burning appears to approach a plateau at 6 minutes into the BLU-U treatment and should subside as early as 1 minute after BLU-U light treatment but may take up to 24 hours after the BLU-U is turned off. Following treatment, the AKs and to some degree the surrounding skin my redden, and swelling my also occur. However, these effects are temporary and should completely resolve by 4 weeks after treatment.

Before treatment starts

Be sure to tell your physician if you are taking any oral medications or using any topical prescription or nonprescription products on your face or scalp.

After treatment

Avoid exposure of your photosensitive treatment sites to sunlight or bring light for at least 40 hours after the application of Levulan Kerastick Tropical Solution.