12 replies to this topic

[plateaukid]

After seeing a really pushy derm for two months I decided to try another one. Now let me preference by saying that this derm I'm seeing now seems to be one of the best known derms in the area I live in (Los Angeles, CA) and has many people in the entertainment industry as his patients. He was very nice and actually took the time to discuss my options. Although he appeared to be a big advocate of Levulan PDT, he was not pushy at all. He offered me other options to the Levulan PDT, but did mention Levulan PDT would help with my red marks and scars as well.

Now my question is if this derm. appears to be as knowledgeable and well-respected as he appears to be, why on earth would he say Levulan PDT w/ V-Beam would be something I could try? I thought light olive skinned Asians should not try this because the Levulan can make your skin turn really dark. I asked him about this and he said he's actually treated alot of individuals with my skin type with the Levulan, as well as much darker skinned individuals than me even. Granted it sounds Levualn PDT would help me with my acne, scars, and red marks, I'm nervous. THis derm does seem to know what he's talking about though....appears to have treated alot of individuals with Levulan PDT. I've read some posts on here that say darker skinned individuals should not try it, but that's all I've been able to find. Can anyone help me here?

[plateaukid]

Bump.

[dogluver323]

After seeing a really pushy derm for two months I decided to try another one. Now let me preference by saying that this derm I'm seeing now seems to be one of the best known derms in the area I live in (Los Angeles, CA) and has many people in the entertainment industry as his patients. He was very nice and actually took the time to discuss my options. Although he appeared to be a big advocate of Levulan PDT, he was not pushy at all. He offered me other options to the Levulan PDT, but did mention Levulan PDT would help with my red marks and scars as well.

Now my question is if this derm. appears to be as knowledgeable and well-respected as he appears to be, why on earth would he say Levulan PDT w/ V-Beam would be something I could try? I thought light olive skinned Asians should not try this because the Levulan can make your skin turn really dark. I asked him about this and he said he's actually treated alot of individuals with my skin type with the Levulan, as well as much darker skinned individuals than me even. Granted it sounds Levualn PDT would help me with my acne, scars, and red marks, I'm nervous. THis derm does seem to know what he's talking about though....appears to have treated alot of individuals with Levulan PDT. I've read some posts on here that say darker skinned individuals should not try it, but that's all I've been able to find. Can anyone help me here?

I got a really bad facial in April, and was breaking out pretty badly with cystic pimples that left dark marks. I was so desperate that I went to the dermatologist soon after, I wonder if it could be the same one you went to. I am L.A. area too, and this guy was in Beverly Hills. He's supposed to be one of the top doctors in L.A.

He was a really nice guy, and explained all kinds of procedures and treatments to me. He did suggest the PDT to treat the acne problem and the Vbeam in conjunction with it to help with the marks. He was charging $2,200 for 4 PDT treatments, about 2 weeks apart from each other, and for the Vbeam it would be $1,600 more. I'm Asian too, but the doctor didn't mention any problems with Asian skin. He said that with his procedures, he only does them in the late afternoon or evening when there is less sun outside so that you don't have as much sensitivity afterwards and a quicker downtime.

I was pretty much ready to go through with it, but I was leaving for a vacation within the next couple of weeks, plus I was using benzoyl peroxide (BP) daily. He said I couldn't do the treatment until I was off the BP for at least a week, and I shouldn't have a lot of sun exposure, so since I was doing both, then I couldn't start the treatment. In the meantime, he prescribed minocycline antibiotics for a month, and gave me some topical clindamycin gel for the day and Ziana (clindamycin/retin A combo) for night. This regimin got my breakouts in check and now I seem to be doing ok. So now since 3 months have gone by, my scars are better, but I still want to do something to improve the appearance.

I just went back to my salon last week and saw a different aesthetician for a facial, and no problems this time around. She recommended a hydroquinone cream, so I might start using that to help fade the marks. I also just ordered some samples of the Mama lotion, so I'm not sure which I'm going to use first.

I'm just confused, with all the options out there. I want to treat and prevent future breakouts and at the same time help fade my acne scars. I'd also like to get input from anyone that's had the PDT and Vbeam treatment, because from I've read it sounds great, but I just don't know anyone personally who's had it done. People that I know tell me that good old BP is the best for acne and chemical peels and lightening creams are the way to go for marks. But I am always up for the new medical advancments out there, and this treatment sounds almost too good to be true. I mean the possible reduction in pore size, oiliness, possibly no breakouts for years (as effective as Accutane w/o the side effects he said).

I wish I could give you some personal experience with this treatment, but I am just as curious to know more about as you are. Just thought I'd chip in with my thoughts too.

[plateaukid]

Thanks for your reply. I'm actually seeing another derm. I feel that this could really benefit me esp. since he is using the V-Beam to activate the Levulan....I have a lot of inflammatory marks left from old pustules and it definitely seems like it could help. I just don't want the Levulan to seriously mess up my face because of my skin type. I really want to believe what he says because he appears to have done so many Levulan PDTs and was in my opinion one of the most professional dermatologists I've ever seen. Seems to have alot of respect for the patient; he did not force me into Levulan....he just explained what it might do for me but offered other choices as well. Ahhhh.....I don't know if I should just go ahead and schedule it or not.

After seeing a really pushy derm for two months I decided to try another one. Now let me preference by saying that this derm I'm seeing now seems to be one of the best known derms in the area I live in (Los Angeles, CA) and has many people in the entertainment industry as his patients. He was very nice and actually took the time to discuss my options. Although he appeared to be a big advocate of Levulan PDT, he was not pushy at all. He offered me other options to the Levulan PDT, but did mention Levulan PDT would help with my red marks and scars as well.

Now my question is if this derm. appears to be as knowledgeable and well-respected as he appears to be, why on earth would he say Levulan PDT w/ V-Beam would be something I could try? I thought light olive skinned Asians should not try this because the Levulan can make your skin turn really dark. I asked him about this and he said he's actually treated alot of individuals with my skin type with the Levulan, as well as much darker skinned individuals than me even. Granted it sounds Levualn PDT would help me with my acne, scars, and red marks, I'm nervous. THis derm does seem to know what he's talking about though....appears to have treated alot of individuals with Levulan PDT. I've read some posts on here that say darker skinned individuals should not try it, but that's all I've been able to find. Can anyone help me here?

I got a really bad facial in April, and was breaking out pretty badly with cystic pimples that left dark marks. I was so desperate that I went to the dermatologist soon after, I wonder if it could be the same one you went to. I am L.A. area too, and this guy was in Beverly Hills. He's supposed to be one of the top doctors in L.A.

He was a really nice guy, and explained all kinds of procedures and treatments to me. He did suggest the PDT to treat the acne problem and the Vbeam in conjunction with it to help with the marks. He was charging $2,200 for 4 PDT treatments, about 2 weeks apart from each other, and for the Vbeam it would be $1,600 more. I'm Asian too, but the doctor didn't mention any problems with Asian skin. He said that with his procedures, he only does them in the late afternoon or evening when there is less sun outside so that you don't have as much sensitivity afterwards and a quicker downtime.

I was pretty much ready to go through with it, but I was leaving for a vacation within the next couple of weeks, plus I was using benzoyl peroxide (BP) daily. He said I couldn't do the treatment until I was off the BP for at least a week, and I shouldn't have a lot of sun exposure, so since I was doing both, then I couldn't start the treatment. In the meantime, he prescribed minocycline antibiotics for a month, and gave me some topical clindamycin gel for the day and Ziana (clindamycin/retin A combo) for night. This regimin got my breakouts in check and now I seem to be doing ok. So now since 3 months have gone by, my scars are better, but I still want to do something to improve the appearance.

I just went back to my salon last week and saw a different aesthetician for a facial, and no problems this time around. She recommended a hydroquinone cream, so I might start using that to help fade the marks. I also just ordered some samples of the Mama lotion, so I'm not sure which I'm going to use first.

I'm just confused, with all the options out there. I want to treat and prevent future breakouts and at the same time help fade my acne scars. I'd also like to get input from anyone that's had the PDT and Vbeam treatment, because from I've read it sounds great, but I just don't know anyone personally who's had it done. People that I know tell me that good old BP is the best for acne and chemical peels and lightening creams are the way to go for marks. But I am always up for the new medical advancments out there, and this treatment sounds almost too good to be true. I mean the possible reduction in pore size, oiliness, possibly no breakouts for years (as effective as Accutane w/o the side effects he said).

I wish I could give you some personal experience with this treatment, but I am just as curious to know more about as you are. Just thought I'd chip in with my thoughts too.

[dogluver323]

How long have you had your acne problem? Is it just dark marks or pitting too?

My derm told me the Levulan is activated by the blue light. So the PDT itself is supposed to help not only control breakouts, but to help smooth the texture of the skin and lighten some of the marks also. He said the Vbeam together works really well because that is for the marks alone.

And I'm curious, how much is your derm charging for the PDT and Vbeam? How many sessions? I went to see Dr. Zaks in Beverly Hills. My initial consult was almost an hour and he was very thorough, telling me about all the options and answering all my questions about regimens.

[plateaukid]

You could say that I've had this problem for at least 12 years....going way back to when my skin first started to get a bit oily...puberty of course.

Right now my active acne is under control....I've been on this regimen since April of Solodyn tablets, sulfur foam face wash, Tazorac, and NeoBenzin 3.5% BP Cream. However, I do have a lot of scars and inflammatory marks left from old acne. So for me it seems Levulan would not only help with the acne but when you throw in the V-Beam it could really help with the inflammatory marks, which makes my skin appear even worse than it really is at the moment.

The derm. didn't really go into the details of the cost and how many times I would need it though....mainly because I wasn't serious when I saw him. He did say I would need at least 3 probably for the best results and explained to me very well what I could expect afterwards. Even though he is a big proponent of Levulan PDT he was not pushy at all and respected my right to know of other options; a refreshing and much welcomed change from my old derm. who SNEAKED a Cooltouch Laser session on the thing I was to give to the receptionist on my way out.

But hey....maybe I will do the Levulan PDT. It's just that I'm not finding enough info on how it may affect someone with my skin type yet. I've read alot about what to expect after you do it from numerous posts and treatment reviews on here, but I have not seen alot of discussion about skintypes for Levulan. Some mention of it but not enough for me to feel really informed.

[isoflous]

My doctor said that the energy level used for asian skin should be adjusted so that the risk of hyperpigmentation is kept acceptably low.
I have done the PDT three days ago and my acne is improving.

After seeing a really pushy derm for two months I decided to try another one. Now let me preference by saying that this derm I'm seeing now seems to be one of the best known derms in the area I live in (Los Angeles, CA) and has many people in the entertainment industry as his patients. He was very nice and actually took the time to discuss my options. Although he appeared to be a big advocate of Levulan PDT, he was not pushy at all. He offered me other options to the Levulan PDT, but did mention Levulan PDT would help with my red marks and scars as well.

Now my question is if this derm. appears to be as knowledgeable and well-respected as he appears to be, why on earth would he say Levulan PDT w/ V-Beam would be something I could try? I thought light olive skinned Asians should not try this because the Levulan can make your skin turn really dark. I asked him about this and he said he's actually treated alot of individuals with my skin type with the Levulan, as well as much darker skinned individuals than me even. Granted it sounds Levualn PDT would help me with my acne, scars, and red marks, I'm nervous. THis derm does seem to know what he's talking about though....appears to have treated alot of individuals with Levulan PDT. I've read some posts on here that say darker skinned individuals should not try it, but that's all I've been able to find. Can anyone help me here?

[dogluver323]

I am from Hong Kong. My doctor said that the energy level used for asian skin should be adjusted so that the risk of hyperpigmentation is kept acceptably low.
I have done the PDT three days ago and my acne is improving.

After seeing a really pushy derm for two months I decided to try another one. Now let me preference by saying that this derm I'm seeing now seems to be one of the best known derms in the area I live in (Los Angeles, CA) and has many people in the entertainment industry as his patients. He was very nice and actually took the time to discuss my options. Although he appeared to be a big advocate of Levulan PDT, he was not pushy at all. He offered me other options to the Levulan PDT, but did mention Levulan PDT would help with my red marks and scars as well.

Now my question is if this derm. appears to be as knowledgeable and well-respected as he appears to be, why on earth would he say Levulan PDT w/ V-Beam would be something I could try? I thought light olive skinned Asians should not try this because the Levulan can make your skin turn really dark. I asked him about this and he said he's actually treated alot of individuals with my skin type with the Levulan, as well as much darker skinned individuals than me even. Granted it sounds Levualn PDT would help me with my acne, scars, and red marks, I'm nervous. THis derm does seem to know what he's talking about though....appears to have treated alot of individuals with Levulan PDT. I've read some posts on here that say darker skinned individuals should not try it, but that's all I've been able to find. Can anyone help me here?

So when did you have your procedure done and are you in CA? How many procedures are you going to have, and are you getting any laser treatment for marks also?

Thanks!

[WakeUp]

Well I too have tried PDT, I did my first one last Friday, it's now Tuesday and no dramatic changes, nothing at all actually.

[j-boy]

Well I too have tried PDT, I did my first one last Friday, it's now Tuesday and no dramatic changes, nothing at all actually.

if done right.. levulan could help.. but it takes at least 2-3 to see significant results..

[WakeUp]

Well I too have tried PDT, I did my first one last Friday, it's now Tuesday and no dramatic changes, nothing at all actually.

if done right.. levulan could help.. but it takes at least 2-3 to see significant results..

What exactly do you mean if done right? apply the levulan, leave it for an hour or so, go under the blue light and go home?

[j-boy]

Well I too have tried PDT, I did my first one last Friday, it's now Tuesday and no dramatic changes, nothing at all actually.

if done right.. levulan could help.. but it takes at least 2-3 to see significant results..

What exactly do you mean if done right? apply the levulan, leave it for an hour or so, go under the blue light and go home?

i mean a derm whose knowledgable about levulan..

[isoflous]

My doctor is a MD from London U. I have done the treatment twice and is waiting for results. I am supposed to do it four times spaced a week apart. The procedure is extremely painful.

FMy doctor said that the energy level used for asian skin should be adjusted so that the risk of hyperpigmentation is kept acceptably low.
I have done the PDT three days ago and my acne is improving.

After seeing a really pushy derm for two months I decided to try another one. Now let me preference by saying that this derm I'm seeing now seems to be one of the best known derms in the area I live in (Los Angeles, CA) and has many people in the entertainment industry as his patients. He was very nice and actually took the time to discuss my options. Although he appeared to be a big advocate of Levulan PDT, he was not pushy at all. He offered me other options to the Levulan PDT, but did mention Levulan PDT would help with my red marks and scars as well.

Now my question is if this derm. appears to be as knowledgeable and well-respected as he appears to be, why on earth would he say Levulan PDT w/ V-Beam would be something I could try? I thought light olive skinned Asians should not try this because the Levulan can make your skin turn really dark. I asked him about this and he said he's actually treated alot of individuals with my skin type with the Levulan, as well as much darker skinned individuals than me even. Granted it sounds Levualn PDT would help me with my acne, scars, and red marks, I'm nervous. THis derm does seem to know what he's talking about though....appears to have treated alot of individuals with Levulan PDT. I've read some posts on here that say darker skinned individuals should not try it, but that's all I've been able to find. Can anyone help me here?

So when did you have your procedure done and are you in CA? How many procedures are you going to have, and are you getting any laser treatment for marks also?

Thanks!