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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Joseph

January 3, 2008

Pros:

Worked very well for me.

Cons:

Redness and swelling for 3-4 days. Does not "cure" acne but merely substantially reduces it for 1-5 years.

Most of the reviewer who are dissatisified with PDT had it for less than 48 hours and fewer than 3 treatments. For most people with a significant acne problem, 3-4 treatments will be needed. Furthermore, the optimal effects of PDT shows only after 3-6 months. Here are my recommendations. 1)Budget at least 2-3 PDT treatments (4 if you have a real bad acne problem) spaced 2-4 weeks apart. A single PDT treatment rarely cures acne. A competitive price for most regions is around $500/treament. 2)Get a microdermabrasion prior to the treatment. It substatiallly increases the effectiveness of Levulan. You can get a home Microdermabrasin kit for around $35. 3)Your acne will get worse before it gets better. Do not panic or write a review in the first 3-4 weeks. 4)You may want to get a PDT treatment every 1-2 years to make sure your acne does not come back. Presently, there is no permanent solution to acne. 5)PDT is hardly painful and is very temporary.

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victoria

December 28, 2007

Pros:

NOTHING

Cons:

EXPENSIVE and DID NOTHING

it did absolutely nothing. it is a waste of my money and time.

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happygurl

December 14, 2007

Pros:

Waiting to find out (just had it done)...

Cons:

Painful burning, redness, swelling, downtime, pricy.

I will post in a week or so with my final results, but I just wanted to give prospective users an idea of what to expect with the procedure itself. I just got home about 3 hours ago from having Levulan/Blue Light done. My doctor gave me a stronger application than most... almost 2 hours of the Levulan soaking in, 20 min under the blue light, and then light laser on each cheek. The Levulan alone wasn't bad at all, but I am not going to lie -- the blue light activation HURT!!! I almost couldn't take the intense burning. I assume my experience was worse than most due to the amount administered. I was actually squirming in pain and cried on the drive home. The pain has subsided a bit, but it is still stinging and I am quite red and swollen. I think it feels worse than it looks, but nonetheless, just be prepared that this treatment should be taken seriously and DEFINITELY requires downtime. If it produces results it will be worth it though, and I will post once healed to update. :)

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Mike

December 12, 2007

Pros:

waiting to see

Cons:

Redness, itchyness, peeling.

Got it done today...had the ala put on last night. So far all i see is redness on my cheeks and jaw area. But hope fully thats a sign of it working. skin seems to be very irritable to...but its only been a few hours haha so cant really say much...

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FEE

November 20, 2007

Pros:

YOU WILL LOOK GREAT AFTERWARD

Cons:

REDDNESS, DRYNESS, PEELING DURING THE FIRST 3 TO 4 DAYS. BUT REMINDER THAT IS THE DEAD SKIN THAT'S ON THE TOP SURFACE. THIS PROCEDURE BRING THE NEW SKIN TO THE SURFACE.

NOTHING WORKS OVER NIGHT. IF U HAD ACNE FOR 10 YEARS AS I DO. YOU WILL TRY ANTHING. BUT I LOOKING FOR A DOCOTOR IN ATL THAT IS AS GOOD AS MY DOCTOR IN STL. NOW, IF U LIVE IN STL GO TO DR. MOORE IN CLAYTON. AT LIFESTLYE CENTER BY THE COURT HOUSE. HE IS AWSOME. I EVEN THINKING TO FLY BACK HOMW JUST TO GET ANOTHER TX WITH HIM. HE VERY REASONABLE AT COST. THE BLU LIGHT KILLS THE BACTERIA IN THE SKIN. LEVULAN GETS TO THE ROOT. BUT U MUST GET THE DERMBRASION

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October 5, 2007

Pros:

My skin seems smoother, scarring is better, less oily, and pores look a little smaller

Cons:

Redness for about 2 days, and peeling for about 7 days

Im almost 40 and have had acne since I was a teenager. I've tried everything, antibiotics, accutane 2 times, CO2 laser, prescriptions, soaps, lotions, expensive, inexpensive etc... I wasnt going to try the levulan because nothing has ever worked for me. But since its supposed to give you similar results as accutane, but without all the bad side effects, I thought it would be worth a try. I didnt exeperience any discomfort while sitting with the levulan on my face (sat for 1 hour 15 minutes) But did have some discomfort once I got under the blue light (sat for 17 minutes) it really burned. My face was red for about 2 days afterward and then the peeling started for about 5 days. I had the treatment on Thurs eve and returned to work Monday. I was able to wear makeup, but it was hard to apply with all that dry skin and peeling. Its been about a week now, and my skin is much smoother, scars are less, Im less oily and pores are smaller. I'll probably get another treatment next mon

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Irin997

October 2, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my severe acne.

Cons:

PRICEY!

I had this proceedure done along with the Smoothbeam laser and one thing that people need to be mindful of is to literally stay in the dark for the first 48 hours otherwise your skin will burn. If you stay in the dark and away from ALL windows, you will not burn. But it was worth it. I'm at the point where I need a couple of maintantence sessions with the laser.

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Gaurav

September 19, 2007

Pros:

i had really bad back acne where levulan and blue light was used. i had 5 treatments costing about 1800 dollars. but i still think this is good. the acne is significantly less and scarring is going lower too. my doc said i should do 1 every six month

Cons:

it hurts a little for 2 days with burning sensation and the back is / feels burnt but beyond that it is ok.

i think it is better than soaps, medication, and lotions wise. although insurance doesnt cover it i think it is cost effective time wise.

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Nora W.4

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.

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Liam B.

August 27, 2007

Pros:

dont know yet

Cons:

fear of the unknown, redness

Had my PDT 2 days ago. Did not feel any discomfort, the most is during acetone application. i got the treatment as a bonus from 7 months of unsuccessful laser treatments. im on my 48th hour Im not feeling anything. Im seeing some redness but not the redness i expected so im thinking its not working. My skin still feels oily, have some small breakouts, no peeling.I feel the MD recommendation failed again. They gave me 1 bonus treatment if follow-up is needed ,I have to pay 500.00 per treatment. Still hoping somthing good is going to happen

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