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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Pablo

March 6, 2008

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

increase my oil production, increase pimples, expensive...

I tried 4 sessions, 2 weeks a part 1 - metvix + red light; 2 - metvix + blue light; 3 - metvix + blue light; 4 - metvix + ipl. Metvix is similar Levulan

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Andie

March 1, 2008

Pros:

It has been 2 days after my second treatment and the redspots are already going away. I had pretty bad icepick scars too, about 10 on each cheek.. now I have about 3 or 4. This works best if your scars are FRESH! So once ur acne goes away book an apt

Cons:

Hurts a bit!! But its tolerable! I have very low pain tolerance, but if u really want this done, you'll be fine:)
Saw NO difference after the first treatment:(

It fads redspots like crazy!! There wont be a difference the first time, but the texture of ur skin will definitely improve. Its very important to exfoliate 3 times a week! I always put vitamin E on my scars every night!! Major improvement! Stay out of the sun!! Sunblock urself like crazy! Just give it a shot!! Tad bit expensive, but it will work:) I paid $300 for three treatments! Good luck!! I hope it works because having adult acne has been one of the hardest things to deal with:( *Cheers*

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Donna W

February 23, 2008

Pros:

I'll get back to all of you on that - just had it done a few hours ago!

Cons:

Expensive and not covered by my Blue Cross/Shield insurance

I am being treated for mild to moderate adult acne/cysts.The Levulan was applied and I relaxed in a comfy spa chair for 45 minutes while the product did its thing.The doctor then adorned me with goggles and began using the blue light.She warned me it would feel like a rubber-band snapping on my face with a hot jolt.She was correct.Some sensitive spots on my face hurt more than others during the process.But the mild pain was very tolerable. It took about 20 minutes for the blue light process. My face felt very warm during and immediately following the procedure. However, on my one hour drive home, the warmness subsided and my face did not look as red as it was at the office. It is now 3 hours after the procedure and I have little redness or sensitivity to light. I was told to expect the worse and to see some acne develop over the next few days. 2 scripts - one for potential herpe outbreak and another antibiotic to prevent a bacterial infection. I will keep you all posted on my progress!

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Will

February 22, 2008

Pros:

Improves overall skin texture and eliminates breakout cycles.

Cons:

pricey, about four days to heal

Combining the Blu-u/Levulan treatment with the other four steps in Bill's Acne Solution ([link removed]) will clear your skin fast, with long-lasting results. Beware the medical professional who performs this procedure. When done correctly, it is the best acne treatment available.

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Allison

February 9, 2008

Pros:

umm..not so sure as of yet.

Cons:

EXTREMELY PAINFUL, lots of redness and burning for days,breaking out 2nd day after treatment, tightness and swelling, dark splotches, very very bad pain on and around my lips

I have read soooo many horrible reviews of this treatment and now im petrified of how it's going to affect me. I have had fairly bad acne since i was 10 ( im now 22) and i have been on every kind of medication and topical treatment you can think of. Im not allowed to be on accutane for medical reasons. I got the treatment done yesterday morning. Honestly, getting a tattoo feels better than this does. Im able to cover up all the redness and dark splotches with makeup but i cant even walk to my mailbox without feeling like my face is going to catch on fire. it's aweful and i can barely open my mouth enough to eat bc it's so sore and tight. I developed a lot of little whiteheads today and im afraid that is a bad sign. At the same time i have heard that it will get worse before it gets better....but im skeptical. I was also told that it could be that it's drawing everything out of my skin first, thus causing some breakouts. Ill repost later with more results.

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Brooke

January 29, 2008

Pros:

Amazing! I had three treatments of the Levulan/Blue light treatment combined w/a VBeam Laser. Do not be discouraged the first treatment will not do the trick. You will breakout. According to my doc, it takes 3-6 treatments to get the best results.

Cons:

Costly, but well worth it. Somewhat painful if you are extremely broken out, but your skin should clear with each treatment. It will hurt less everytime.

I used to have terrible breakouts, including cystic acne. After 3 treatments (about a month apart) I had clear skin. I still get some superficial stuff on the forehead, but no big ugly/painful pimples. The treatments last about a year, then I went in for a touch up session. Beware my dermatologoist said that the levulan/blue therapy alone does not work that well, but when combined with the laser treatment the treatment can do wonders. I believe I paid about $900-1000 per treatment. If you live in the area, I saw Boris Zaks in Beverly Hills, CA. He specializes in acne and anti-aging treatments. On top of being very personable and understanding, he is a board certified dermatologist and performs the treatments himself.

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michelle

January 15, 2008

Pros:

none...just rips off your wallett!

Cons:

pricey get ZERO results! i had high hopes, but my very very oily skin is now i can't believe even more oily a week + later, my pores are as enlarged as they were, they are huge, and it caused me huge brealouts like i never had before!

very dissapointed. it was the worst waste of money i have ever done, aside from vbeam lasers, it made my skin worse actually, iam more oily then ever which i couldn't imagine and was why i went to do this, instead of accutane, and to shrink pores which they are larger then life and not shrunken at all by any means. i didn't even peel like i wanted to, it was a joke plus caused me more bumps on my skin and breakouts i had not had before, not a real reason i did this treatment it was more for uneven skin tone, large pores, oil and blotches, and i look worse now *sigh* sucks, don't waste your $$

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Jeremiah

January 12, 2008

Pros:

Works, but not a long-term solution.

Cons:

Cost me $5,250.

I'm almost 21 and have been on Accutane 4 times at double doses. I took it 3 times in high school and again last year. Yep it sucks. It's a shame I have one of the most persistent cases on the planet, but that's the way it goes... Anyway, right now I'm doing Natural Cures/Antibotics/Luvulan for my skin. I mainly am having the Luvulan done just to reinforce my skin. Blemishes have been reduced and sometimes I go a week without breaking out...which is great because that's like a record for me. I really couldn't tell you how good Luvulan is because I've got a very serious condition. If you have mild acne or acne because you're not genetically prone, I think you should get it done as it will keep you clear in the long run.

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v m

January 10, 2008

Pros:

Worked 100%

Cons:

Have to do it every month and kinda expensive

I have been trying acne treatment products for about 5 years. I tried everthing from benzoyl peroxide to antibiotics. many combinations of those treatments, helped reduce acne by about 10%. The most effective control back then was through a very strict and annoyingly painful diet (free of all fats and sugars) and stress control. But after I tried phototherapy with Levulan, for the first time in years I have a clear skin. It kills all active acne instantly and prevents future outbreak by slaughtering all the remaining acne bacteria in the skin. I have been acne free for 3 months now. The only drawback is that its expensive and has to be repeated every month. Do to extreme photosensitivity after the treatment, I usually stay home the next day. I think thats not too bad :).

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Sophie B.

January 6, 2008

Pros:

Significantly improves hyperpigmentation, texture of skin, acne scars, and reduces the sizes of the pores!!!!

Cons:

About 4 days of isolation.

I have had this treatment done two times, and in a few more weeks I am going for my third treatment. I have had acne for about 5 years. Proactiv didn't work, and the topical creams and medications didn't give me the results I was looking for. I highly recommend this treatment to everyone...my dermatologist said that it happens frequently that remission is induced! The pigment on my cheeks has gone away, I am not getting any breakouts, and my skin is rejuvinated and looking great! I do recommend that you do not see the light of day at all. The first time I had it done, I walked out to my car the next day, came back inside, and my face was burning for the rest of the day. So just stay inside and you'll be fine! Also...load up the face with Vaseline, it really helps when you peel. Your insurance might even cover the treatment completely!!!

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