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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Sarah

June 5, 2008

Pros:

The process is very relaxing! I just had this treatment done 2 days ago...so i'll update you as to the final results!

Cons:

My face is soooo dry. The first day I looked like a lobster with white eyes and lips...now I look like I have elephant skin, which is starting to peel like Goldmember in the Austin Powers movie.

If this works, it will be worth all of the money and pain in the world. I have suffered for many years with acne and to be free of that emotional pain would be a wonderful blessing!

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Katie41

May 5, 2008

Pros:

i've had moderate acne for 6 years and it got more troublesome in college. i had two of these treatments and my skin is flawless. i get complimented on it all the time and it has made my life so much easier. my red scars are gone now as well.

Cons:

you can't see the sun for 48 hours. the treatment is a bit uncomfortable and your skin is severely red for about 3 to 4 days (and is peeling as well).

the cost, the week of peeling and redness is worth having absolutely beautiful skin. would recommend over any other treatment for acne and i've literally tried them all.

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Jacob J.

April 26, 2008

Pros:

Expensive, Requires Maintenance

Cons:

Clears Skin without the need to ingest additional medication.

You can't really review the affects of Levulan days or even a week or two after treatment (as many people do here). The total effects are visible after 3-4 weeks. Skin is much smoother due to pore tightening and acne begins to subside (initially it could get worse before your skin begins it's healing process). I was significantly clearer for about 6 months, then the affects started to fade. Depending on the severity of your acne, the initial treatment should consist of 3-5 sessions. I had 4 @ $600 each. Generally a touch up session is required 6 months to a year after the first treatment. I would recommend it if you are at your wits end (like I was) and have tried every other option on the market including Accutane. It's definitely pricey.

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Jack

April 22, 2008

Pros:

-cleared some acne

Cons:

-expensive
-sensitive to sunlight for 4 months.
-created new acne

Before i had this treatment i had very localized acne all around my mouth and chin.The rest of my face was flawless. I had 4 treatments spaced 3 weeks apart of the PDT. These treatments cleared the acne around my mouth and chin. But now i have acne all over my cheeks, jawline, and forehead where i never had acne before. So far me my acne just cleared in one place but then sprouted up in another. However i would recommend giving it a shot IF money is not a factor for you. If money is then dont blow all your money for something that may not work.

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Lisa

April 17, 2008

Pros:

Affordable, USDA approved, New breakthrough for a variety of skin problems

Cons:

Down time, hidious looking for awhile

I am on day 3 of my first treatment. I am using it primarily for oil control, though I still break out some and am on antibiotics, and in the past had gone through accutane. If it works then the dry, scabbing, red face with the white goggley eye look will be worth it, and I will repeat when necessary. I didn't expect it to be this red but most people I encounter think I overdid it in a tanning bed. I am quick to explain that I recently underwent a skin treatment. It is hidious to say the least, but I decided to not let it stop me from going to work or shopping. I experienced stinging, swelling and little white heads and now day 3 the skin is taunt no matter how much moisturizer I apply. I know ths will all improve day by day so I am excited to wake up to see how it's changing. I am already planning to do it again - maybe that's a form of self torture, I don't know! Personally I would recommend it to anyone that would be a good candidate for it, but be prepared.

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John

April 9, 2008

Pros:

you can almost feel the bacteria in your pores dying

Cons:

SEVERELY chapped and red skin, some pain, complete embarassment

So I'm only about 48 hours into my first bluelight treatment with Levulan. I want to start out by saying that I think this is going to work great for me. You can almost feel it killing the bacteria under the light. HOWEVER, the recoop time the doctor told me did not cover the half of it. I was warned there would be "slight discomfort with some swelling, redness and peeling, but it should clear up within 48 hours." Well, unless there's fresh skin just under these chapped scabs, I'm definitely going to be missing ANOTHER day of classes, because this is disgustingly embarrassing. My face is red, except for where I had on goggles (which now makes me look completely awful) and I've got ~ 15-20 white heads that have been pushed up to the surface. I think this treatment is a great thing and will work, but from what I'm seeing, you should try and schedule the first treatment when you can afford to hide from the world for 3-4 days.

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Sarah

March 30, 2008

Pros:

Improved acne, smoother skin (have done micro-dermabrasion with each treatment), when I do get breakouts they clear up much faster!

Cons:

Stinging (mild to severe), Peelings - can be severe, appearance for about 1 week after between redness and peeling, and being unable to go outside or be in bright lights for 48 hours

The treatment is costly and not covered by my insurance. There are no guarantees for how long the results will last - but at least it will get me through my wedding! I have had 4 treatments (just had the 4th yesterday) and my skin has continually improved. The peeling can be severe which makes it hard for me to be comfortable in public during the week after treatment. Follow your doctor's guidelines and you should be fine :-)

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March 25, 2008

Pros:

little down time, low cost compared to lasers/peels etc.q

Cons:

burning sensation the next day (for me) that lasts almost all day.

I love this treatment. I have had 2 done - the first (in Feb.) I saw no improvement but the Dr. told me that up front. Had the 2nd two weeks ago and see a big difference in texture/pore size and my face is less oily. I really have no breakout issues, just trying to heal damaged skin from teen acne. I have tried IPLs, thermage & TCA peels - none evened out my skin tone like this one appears to be doing and it costs less! My Dr. uses the IPL laser (not the blue light) and I am ok day one, tomato red day two, look like wax day three and then normal (but flaky) for about the next 5 days. After about a week make sure to exfoliate - don't do it too early as the skin may not be ready to come off. I planned on 3 treatments but I am willing to do more as I like what I see so far.

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March 22, 2008

Pros:

Significantly reduces oil,Shrinks pores, no more deep pimples, gets rid of redness from prior acne. Reduces number of pimples in general.

Cons:

Not covered by insurance, no sun exposure for 2 days (not even for a few seconds), feels like a sunburn for up to 48 hours after treatment.

THis has worked a lot better than all topical solutions, creams, washes, antibiotics. No negative effects like accutane. Get 3 treatments. that are 3 weeks apart. Each time, face gets better looking. First day after a treatment, face may break out some. Each treatment was 300$. You go, you get your face washed off with acetone, then the levulan is painted on your face. Wait an hour (dont wipe it off), go under the blue-u light for 10 minutes. Some burning sensation (very tolerable though). The levulan itself costs like 150$ for the tube of it...if youre paying more than 300/400$ per treatment, you are getting ripped off.

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Levulan

March 11, 2008

Pros:

So Far it seems to be helping

Cons:

The redness and pain 24 hours after the procedure. The cost.

I have been a difficult case for many derms. I have seen world experts in the field from Chicago. After exhausting our options including accutane - we decided to try Levulan. So far I have been impressed - most of my skin has cleared after the first treatment but the derm says I need a minimum of 3-4. The two days to follow are the worst with redness and pain. Feels like I didn't wear any sunblock on the beach in Florida for 18 hours straight with full sun exposure. We will see how long this lasts

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