Redwood Family Dermatology

Quality and Personal Healthcare

BLU-U Light Photodynamic Therapy

BLU-U Light Photodynamic Therapy Overview

Clearer, healthier skin starts here with BLU-U® light therapy

A safe, effective treatment for Actinic Keratoses — and a boost for your skin’s appearance

Redwood Family Dermatology is committed to offering the most advanced, evidence-based treatments for your skin health. One of the most innovative therapies we provide is BLU-U® light photodynamic therapy, a non-invasive, FDA-approved solution for moderate actinic keratoses (AKs) — precancerous skin lesions commonly caused by sun damage.

How Levulan BLU-U photodynamic therapy works

BLU-U® therapy combines a topical solution called Levulan Kerastick® with a specialized blue light to precisely target and eliminate damaged skin cells. Here’s what to expect:

  1. Preparation
    Levulan, a light-sensitive prescription medication, is applied directly to the affected areas—typically the face, scalp or arms.
  2. Activation
    After a short incubation period, the treated area is exposed to BLU-U® light.
  3. Cellular reaction
    The light activates the Levulan, initiating a reaction that selectively destroys precancerous cells while preserving the healthy surrounding skin.

Proven benefits of BLU-U® therapy

  • Effectively treats actinic keratoses and helps prevent progression to skin cancer.
  • Minimally invasive and non-surgical.
  • Targets only damaged cells, preserving healthy tissue.
  • No scarring or white spots, unlike other treatments.
  • Improves overall skin texture and appearance, with many patients reporting cosmetic enhancement after treatment.

This makes BLU-U® therapy especially appealing for facial treatments, where visible results matter most.

Is this treatment right for you?

If you’ve noticed rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas — particularly your face, scalp, or arms — BLU-U® therapy could be the right choice to treat these precancerous spots early and effectively. Our board-certified dermatologists will assess your skin and recommend the best course of action.

Start your journey to healthier skin

Our experienced, compassionate team at Redwood Family Dermatology is here to help you take control of your skin health.

Redwood Family Dermatology offers BLU-U therapy at our Santa Rosa Mendocino Avenue and Ukiah locations.

Call us today at 707-545-4537 to learn more or schedule your BLU-U® light therapy consultation.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

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REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT by filling in our online form and we will contact you to confirm your appointment request. All requests made during non-business hours will be responded to as early as possible the next business day. Your questions and comments will be responded to in a timely fashion.

Contact us
Phone/Text: (707) 545-4537
Fax: (707) 545-6726
Email: info@redwoodfamilyderm.com

Visit us
2725 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Get directions with Google Maps!

Hours
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment.
Closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact us to request an appointment

Contact us
Phone: (707) 545-4537
Fax: (707) 545-6726
Email: info@redwoodfamilyderm.com

Visit us
1111 Sonoma Ave, Suite 110
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Get directions with Google Maps!

Hours
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment.
Closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact us to request an appointment

Healdsburg: Laser & Cosmetics

Contact us
Phone/Text: 707-633-9355
Fax:  707-545-6726
Email: info@redwoodfamilyderm.com

Visit us 
409 East Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Get directions with Google Maps!

Hours
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (Lunch 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
Evenings & weekends varied, by appointment only.
Contact us to request an appointment

Contact us
Phone/Text: (707) 462-3996
Fax: (707) 462-3363
Email: info@redwoodfamilyderm.com

Visit us
555 South Dora Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
Get directions with Google Maps!

Hours
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment.
Closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact us to request an appointment

Contact Us
Phone/Text: (707) 377-3208
Fax: (707) 462-3363
Email: info@redwoodfamilyderm.com

Visit us
5150 Hill Road East, Suite D., Lakeport, CA 95453
Get directions with Google Maps!

Hours
Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment.
Contact us to request an appointment

If you are concerned about a lesion or mole being skin cancer, then inquire about our one lesion only, skin cancer screening clinics.
Days and times may vary, so please call or text for more information.

Please Note: Beginning in May 2026, this service will no longer be offered at our Santa Rosa Mendocino Ave location. Skin cancer screening clinics will continue to be available at our Ukiah office only.

Electronic health records
Log in to the Redwood Family Dermatology Patient portal.

To request access, contact the Redwood Family Dermatology office and we will send you access via email.

Patients may text us at any of our office locations about non-urgent items such as: scheduling appointments, prescriptions and general questions or requests.

(Sorry, but texting is not currently available for Dr. Schwartz’ office on Hoen Ave.)

Our phone/texting hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. We will promptly respond to your messages during these working hours.

Got Billing Questions? Please complete our online form and we will contact you to assist you with your billing questions.  All questions made during non-business hours will be responded to as early as possible the next business day via phone number you provide.

  • Amy’s Kitchen
  • Anthem Blue Cross of California
  • Beech Street Corporation
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Humana / Choice Care Network
  • California Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC)
  • CIGNA / Great West Healthcare
  • Coventry / First Health Network
  • HealthNet
  • Imperial Health Plan* (referral required)
  • Medi-Cal
  • Medicare
  • MultiPlan/PHCS, Inc.
  • Partnership Health Plan* (referral required)
  • Providence (referral required)
  • Provider Network of America (PNOA)
  • Railroad Medicare
  • Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation* (referral required)
  • TRICARE
  • United Healthcare

Subject to change. Verify coverage with your provider or your insurance plan.

Please note: While Redwood Family Dermatology is contracted with many insurance plans, not all providers are contracted with every insurance plan we accept. Coverage and network participation may vary by provider and location. If you have questions about whether a specific provider is in-network with your plan, please contact our office and our staff will be happy to assist you.

*Referral Plans: Some plans, including Partnership Health Plan, Providence and Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, require a referral from your primary care physician before your visit. If you’re unsure whether a referral is needed, contact your insurance plan or give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out.

Don’t see your plan listed? We also offer self-pay options for patients without insurance coverage, or for services not covered by your plan. Please contact our office to discuss pricing and payment options before your appointment.

Insurance questions are some of the most common ones we hear — and we get it. Coverage can be confusing. Our front desk team is here to help you understand your benefits and prepare for your visit. Don’t hesitate to contact us before your appointment.are

 

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