Photodynamic Therapy

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Photodynamic therapy is a more intense form of light therapy that includes first topically applying a photosensitizing agent that makes the skin more...

Photodynamic therapy is a more intense form of light therapy that includes first topically applying a photosensitizing agent that makes the skin more sensitive to light, and then applying medical-grade light therapy to the skin. It is thought to work primarily by reducing the size and activity of skin oil (sebaceous) glands.

The procedure is usually performed multiple times (up to 5) in weekly or biweekly intervals. Results are usually seen 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure and your skin will continue to improve after your last session.

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Jack Mitchell

July 28, 2008

Pros:

Skin texture improved, smoother skin in spots. The rougher areas have little oil plugs that are working their way out. This could take weeks to do and seems to be contributing to acne despite 3 treatments. Overall, my skin looks better.

Cons:

Extremely painful. Had it applied to raw skin. Incubated from 3-7hrs. Stick head into blue light tanning booth for as long as you can stand. Feels like a thousand burning needles being stabbed into your face. You can feel your face swell in 2 min.

If you have the time and money to do it--do it. I tried Accutane--became less oily, but didn't clear up skin very well. I've tried using antibiotics for 3 yrs (really bad for liver), but it helped keep things under control. It's been about a month since my 3rd treatment and my skin still breaksout, but I'm hoping that these are the last few plugs working their way out for good. It's like getting a chemical peel and then getting a deep burn. You will look like a burn victim for a few days. It hurts and feels tight and itchy. You want to peel it off, but if you do it too soon, your skin will be too raw and your face will just get tight, like a contracture in burn victims. Just let the burn sit and fester. It actually removed an age spot on my face, but it gave me a really dark little mole. I think that the treament is supposed to do this (bring up moles). I have heard that I won't have acne for a year. I hope this is true.

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barbara

July 16, 2008

Pros:

Absolutely pain free. Alittle red now after about 6 hrs. since treatment. Think I could have done longer under the blue light, but better to be cautious the first time.

Cons:

Can't go outside for 48 hrs. after treatment.

I had it done for sebaceous hyperplasia and it seems to have taken a few of the spots away, but I know I'll need addtional treatments to rid myself of all of them.

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Jill

July 11, 2008

Pros:

My face was much smoother after it peeled after the first treatment. Then I did breakout a week later. My insurance actually covered this treatment because the acne I get is very painful.

Cons:

My face was so red and swollen, and I had to stay inside for 2 days, use ice, and advil.

I am 27 and have had acne on and since high school. For some reason, I've been getting these really painful breakouts for the last two years. I've tried everything possible for my acne since high school, and nothing works. I was so tired of going to dermatologists and just getting all the creams, washes, different types of pills and accutane. Nothing worked. I regret ever trying accutane b/c I wasn't aware of all the side effects. I actually became extremely depressed from it and it didnt' work. I even have tried the food elimination method, and I did find that chocolate makes me breakout very badly. I couldn't pinpoint any other food though. I do think that food plays a big part in acne, so I'm currently trying the raw food diet. I've been on it for 2 weeks, and my face seems to be clearing up. So the raw food diet might be playing a big part in the clearning up of my acne too.

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Ryan Walker

July 10, 2008

Pros:

any treatment has a Pro.

Cons:

Redness and swelling. Severe breakout after treatment.

I have been battling acne for over 2 years now and have tried Proactiv. Having had no luck, I gave Blu-U and Levulan a shot. It has been about 6 days now after my first treatment. At first, my face became very red. This lasted for about 4 days. During this redness I did breakout constantly especially around the chin area. I'm guessing because it's really surfacing all the infectious bacteria thats deep down under my skin. These breakouts do leave very dark spots but I'm not at all worried. Being skeptical about a treatment does no good. I'm scheduled for my 2nd appointment in about 4 weeks. And im sure it will be much better.

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Marge

July 2, 2008

Pros:

cleared up all acne- my face was perfect

Cons:

not a long term solution

I had the last of 3 treatments 7 months ago. my skin looked great after the treatments. but about a month after that- i started having the worst acne of my life- leaving behind huge scars- which i never had before these treatments. i am not sure whether this is hormonal or actually linked to the levulan blue light. did anyone else experience worse acne after the treatments than they had before? has anyone heard of a link between these treatments and your acne getting worse?

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Linsley

July 2, 2008

Pros:

Scars are going away.

Cons:

After 3rd treatment face got worse.

I was excited at first but after my second levulan i didn't peel or burn or anything. If you have light/moderate acne then this is for you.

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June 24, 2008

Pros:

Breakouts have decreased, skin looks smooth and evenly toned, great so far

Cons:

Look like crap for 4-6 days. But its worth it.

I battled with acne for about 9yrs now, Ive seen friends acheive great results, decided to try it and all is going well going on my 3 treatment on sat. If you can handle the discomfort of looking like crap for 5 days Id say go have the treatment. I prefer to look like crap for 6 days then to have years of acne on my face. The least i can do is tell everyone my experience in hopes of helping others. PROCESS - I have a microderm first, then the application is applied and left on for 40 mins then under the light for 15 mins. I get them every two weeks, I plan on getting 1 more after this week. Hope this helps.

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zena

June 14, 2008

Pros:

for now i have no good things to say about it..ive just done it 5 days ago..

Cons:

do not seem to work

ive done photodynamic therapy 5 days ago ...and im not peeling ..i dont know if its going to work...

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Jacob8

June 10, 2008

Pros:

Instantly improved skin texture, Acne improved by second treatment, Inexpensive compared to laser treatments, Works on stubborn acne, Not dangerous like some medications (ie. Accutane)

Cons:

You will have to spend AT LEAST 2-3 days hidden inside if you get a good treatment. Your face will look AWFUL and peel, but spending one weekend a month stuck in your room is totally worth having good skin.

IT WORKS!! Get 3-4 treatments. I paid around $300 per treatment, and I got 4 total. Don't freak out when your skin looks horrible and red right after the treatment. A lot of acne will come to the surface, your skin will hurt and peel and look worse than before the treatment, but just wait it out a few days! The red skin will peel away and both your acne and your skin texture will be improved. For an average treatment, I was fine in 2 days, and for a more intense treatment (like when I was left under the light longer), the peeling would last up to 5 days but the results would be even better.

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pandorabowNY

June 7, 2008

Pros:

Improved acne, smoother skin...

Cons:

EXTREMELY painful ! Downtime at least 4 days

I've done 3 treatments, 2 weeks a part . First time was SUPER painful, tears were coming out by themselves, I'm a 24 years old man thoug:)) Second time, I got Advil and it wasn't so bad. After all it smoothed my skin, reduce scars/pores by 10-15 % in some places 0 % :( After 3-4 weeks from the last treatment I felt like I haven't done anything to my skin at all just spent 1500$ in total. Didn't work for me, I'm on Accutane now, works well so far;))

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