Acne.org Products
Phototherapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
PDT as it’s called is an incredibly painful procedure, but one that may produce lasting results. It’s a less invasive option than isotretinoin for severe acne that doesn’t cause so many potentially lifelong side effects. However, it works by permanently disabling skin oil glands, and what happens long term when you do that remains unknown. Proceed with caution.
Phototherapy
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Photodynamic Therapy? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
August 12, 2008
Cons:
Very painful, expensive, only of short term duration (Max. 2 years), downtime!!! (be prepared to remain isolated for a few days as your face may become really red and flaky.
If you have the money and convenience of having time to burn in isolation (1 week) and have tried many of the other options without success then this treatment is a must!
September 12, 2007
Pros:
Reduces oil, minimizes pores, helps with scarring.
Cons:
Down time of about 7 days. You look pretty scarey and don't want ANYONE to see you. Feels like a REALLY bad sunburn.
I am 33 and pretty much have had acne since 6th grade. I have tried everything under and over the counter, home remedies, the works. During my last pregnancy I cleared up (I guess some hormones or something) pretty good but was still left with the nasy pock marks on my cheeks and jaw line. I also still had Zits that were underneath my skin where it feels bumpy but theyre really not that noticeable (except to me). The Levulan totally drew out all the Zits and after the skin all pealed away, my face was so smooth. I still have the occasional zit/zits, but nothing like before. I have always been very oily. Not anymore. I was planning on getting lazer done for my scars which cost over $5,000. The levulan was a drop in the bucket compared to that. Only $400.00! The scaring has gone down a little. I was told that it should still go down with time. I am thinking about doing it agian in a few months if my skin still needs it. So worth it! I actually wear my hair up in a pony tail in public.
September 15, 2012
Pros:
Reduced oilyness for about 3 months, & I really had oily skin then
corrected a permently lightened scar on my brown African American skin..I'm thankful for this, if nothing else!!!
Reduced breakouts for about 3 months
Cons:
Very expensive, $500 per treatment
Tanned my face abbout 2 shades darker
Not sure this is for black people
I only got one treatment, maybe it would have worked after all 3.
November 10, 2009
Pros:
After a few weeks my skin was noticeably smoother and my acne did clear up as well as the hyper-pigmentation. I did this treatment to help smooth out the acne scars from the past acne issues I used to have.
Cons:
Treatment process is long. About 1 hour in incubation then about 8 minutes in the light treatment depending on your case. You are extremely sensitive to light and may peel for 1-3 days and may have an uneven skin tone for a few weeks.You need Makeup!
This is a costly procedure. Fortunately, my work insurance paid 95% of the fees. The part I truly hated was the peeling and the sensitivity to light that I felt for several weeks. Even though you may go out in the light after 48 hours. I would recommend getting this treatment in the summer. Also the peeling was extremely uncomfortable for me. I didn't peel in the problem areas I was hoping to cure (cheeks) but on my chin and sides of my face and a little on the forehead. I remember peeling so deep that I was all itchy and said I would not do this again. I had to apply a lot of cream and applied a cloth to my face which I dampened and left to freeze in the freezer. But I'm now considering trying it another time and asking the doc to focus on my cheeks. I'll let you know how it goes!
September 19, 2009
I had moderate acne, went for this treatment, spent 300, had to stay inside for an entire week, skin burned almost excrushiatingly while getting the blue light after the levulan, now, five weeks later my acne is worse than its ever been and i cant even cover it with makeup anymore. i guess everyone is different though. I am going to try acnepril.
May 29, 2009
Pros:
none. I had two treatments and suffered all the side effects without seeing any improvement in number or severity of breakouts.
Cons:
the most painful treatment i've gone through ever.
after my first treatment i didnt see any improvement but was convinced by aestheticians to go ahead and get a second one because it often is needed to see results. On my second treatment levulan was left on my face longer because they thought it would penetrate deeper but that was a huge mistake. That whole night and part of the next day i was in intolerable pain that would not be helped by medications. I felt so bad i wanted to rip off my skin so it would stop burning. 3 days after the second treatment my whole face was covered with pimples small and big there was not 1 inch of clear skin. I was so dissapointed that this treatment cost me so much only to make my acne worse and painful. I went to 2 different dermatologists to help clear my skin and is now doing 90% better due to contraceptives. Thanks to what happened to me my sister decided not to get this treatment and many of my friends that saw the results.
March 12, 2009
Pros:
My pimples kind of disapear.
Cons:
scarring still there,it is already 3 weeks and when i wash my face it feels all bumpy.My forehead has big brown spots ,
I am hopping that after a weeks o so my face star to clear i feel disapointed,like i ruined my skin is this the way to heal??? some body out there could give a clue.?
March 3, 2009
Pros:
I am 21, and about a month after my third treatment of Blu-U/Levulan. The large painful whiteheads have decreased in size by 30% and frequency by 50%. Not much downtime for me, i have brown skin is why. Reduces the size of pores. Oil reduced by 30%
Cons:
Still getting large pimples they just come up slower and don't persist as much. Definitely do not go out in the sun, I went out like a moron and got burned nicely. Pricey for sure but in my opinion money well spent.
I hate to be negative but any pimples are bad and Im still dealing with pimples. I have heard that 3 treatments is minimum so I am planning to go for at least one more, I dont believe 6 is necessary but my skin never ceases to amaze me. I would most definitely recommend this treatment, it should reduce your acne at least by 30% minimum. Your scarring will definitely improve by probably over 50%, which is icing on the cake.
You will face the usual onslaught of pimples during the months of treatment, but this time there is light at the end of the tunnel so keep your head up. Please, do not post a review if you have not had at least 3 treatments, you are wasting everyone's time. Acne will not go away in days, but months. I will be back with a final review. Good luck to you
December 21, 2008
Pros:
dryer skin, whiteheads have come to the surface
Cons:
hyperpigmentation, looks like someone spreaded mud on my face in streaks
I just had this procedure done on Thursday. I am awaiting some miraculous results. I have searched for information on the effects of this treatment on black skin, and I could not find anyone. That is why I listed my name as blackwoman34 because I want to be able to help someone else. Everyone's skin is different, but I sure would like to hear from someone who has severe scarring about the effects of this treatment on their skin. HELP!!!
October 23, 2008
Pros:
It works
Cons:
price and red skin for a couple days (but it is worth it because this works)
My daughter was on many different antibiotics and topicals for bad acne for over four years. The doctor told us it would take two to three treatments for the PDT to work. After the first treatment, we could see a big improvement in her skin and couldn't wait to do the next one which made her skin look even better. We bought a blue/red light (Nature Bright Clarity), to keep the acne from coming back until the final treatment, but that is clearing up what is left, so I don't think we will need the third PDT treatment. She will continue to use the blue/red light to keep the acne from coming back.
Pros:
Clears skin with as few as 2-3 treatments, as well as reduces shine and breakouts.