Photodynamic Therapy
Results
Side Effects

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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Compare To Other Treatments
5
14.1%
4
24.3%
3
25.4%
2
13%
1
23.2%

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August 13, 2007

Pros:

alternative for those who dont want to try accutane

Cons:

like any other acne treatments(oral or topicals), you have to give it time to work. w/levulan at least 3 is recommended.levulan has a downtime of at least 5 days.

effective if done by a knowledgeable doctor.. so make sure to do research before doing anything.. information is important.. ask questions..
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July 21, 2007

Pros:

Shinks pores..

Cons:

very pricey.... 3-6 days of downtime due to a severe sunburn appearence and embarrising peeling.

I got the levulan treatment about 3 days ago.. the procedure was relitivley painless.. but the aftermath is what gets you...my face was extremly red and sensitive to the touch... ice packs helped a little... by now my face is starting to peel around the nose and chin area... it's itchy and iritating... I don't have any pimples right now so i hope the treatment worked... it has only been 3 days so i guess will not see results until a few more days i hope... crossing my fingers
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July 19, 2007

Pros:

I'm not sure yet. My doctor told me I have to do it 2 or more times to see better results. It took 2.5 hrs. Very comfortable. No pain at all.

Cons:

It's pricey. $450/session (including photodynamic treatment on back and both arms and also had some left for my chins and cheeks). The doctor told me if I don't see any result in the 3 session (which I should) the fourth one will be free.

This is my first time. I'm not sure if it will work or not. I just had it at 12pm today. It took an hour for the cream to sink in and 20 minutes more for the blue light.I went to the Cosmetic & Laser in Buckhead. The place is called Tuxedo Aesthetic Service. Everyone there was extremely nice to me, and I was very comfortable. My face is starting to turn red now (it's been 7 hrs since the 1st treatment). I really hope it works because I've suffered acne (face, arms, back and chest) since I was 14. I'm 24 now. My acne is better then when I was in high school, but it is mild on the face and very BAD on the back and arms.
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June 23, 2007

Pros:

Works, has side effects but they are short term (as opposed to things like Acutane), reduces red marks.

Cons:

It requires more than one treatment (no matter what they tell you), requires you to stay of the sun for a while, and it's pricey.

It works by destroying the bacteria and infection that forms underneath the skin, while also partly regulating the oil production. The problem is that it requires more than one treatment because the infection can just keep spreading (remember, the is no "cure" to acne, only ways to contain and control it and this is no exception) if you don't do enough treatments. It won't be a miracle cure but it'll help a lot. The negatives are that it has downtime and it can also make your skin very red. It can also cause hyperpigmentation. You have to have the "right" type of skin and this is something to become informed about before you do it. Whatever you do, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stay out of the sun for AT LEAST two days. The damage from the Levulan combined the sun's light can be horrible.
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June 14, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up red marks I thought were going to be scars, and made my skin tone even. Started to get rid of acne.

Cons:

4 days of downtime, very expensive, promised one treatment to work but had to have two.

Well after spending $750 at the Derm I thought my skin would now be perfect. So far I am on day 4 after the treatment and my skin is a peeling mess. This is my second time with the levulan and blu-u. First time incubated for 2 hrs and had blu-u for 15. Second time had facial first, then incubated with Levulan for 2.5 hrs and sat under the light for 15 min. (Before levulan sat under blu-u twice a week for two weeks and it did nothing.) Seems longer than anyone else posting. Cheeks just started breaking out today with tiny pimples that are already crusting over. I hope this will work cuz this is the last ditch effort before Accutane. I also started taking 4 grams of Vitamin C a day plus a 50mg zinc tablet and it seems to help a great deal. If your at wits end, at least try vitamins to see if it makes a difference.
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May 29, 2007

Pros:

At first, it seemed that oil production went down and that my skin was clearer.

Cons:

Effects don't last. I developed melasma as a result, which doesn't go away. Expensive.

I had this procedure done four times over the course of three months and I regret it more than anything. It left me with hyperpigmentation called melasma on my nose, forehead, and cheekbones. These brown spots don't go away and now I have to avoid sun exposure almost completely. I also developed a huge cystic pimple on my cheek that took over a month to go away and it left a prominent scar. It's expensive too- each session was $350. Bottom line: some people may have good experiences with this, but there are better options. Right now I'm using Tazorac 0.05 cream at night and Duac in the morning. I'm also taking the oral antibiotic Dynacin (minocycline) once a day (100mg). This is working great. Since the Tazorac causes peeling and dryness with me, I mix it with an equal part of Cetaphil lotion and apply it. This was recommended to me by my dermatologist and works well. After 3 months I will go off the antibiotic and remain on the taz and duac, which should be enought. Get a good doctor!
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May 11, 2007

Pros:

Hoping that my chin ( where I am Acne pron) clears up and my dark pigmentation spots clear up.

Cons:

Just had the treatment Two days ago. My face is unbelivably red. I look like a red monstor. Its swollen too and hurts. Ice packs helped last night.

Im getting Married in 5 weeks and Im freaked out that my skin will not be back to normal and my poor face will look terrable on my wedding day. I have been going to the dermatologist now for about 2 months. At first they were just using the smooth beam and IPL laser. The RN who did the proceudre said that the DR also prescribed Levulan with the IPL laser. First she cleaned my face with Acetone to remove all the oils and make it clean. Then she used a laser like I usually have. She put me in a room and applied the Levulan all over my face. It stung but I was in front of a fan. She left it on for about 30-45 min. Then we went to another treatment room where she usd the IPL laser. I was not to red or swollen for the first few hours. LAter that night it go worse. Ysterday monring I was horrified when I looked in the mirror and today is not much better. I pray pray pray my skin goes back to normal.
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May 4, 2007

Pros:

n/a

Cons:

n/a

I'm 27. I've started to have bad acne when I tried birh control for 9 months and decided to get off them. When I got off, my nightmare came. I brokeout soo much - where I NEVER broke out before. Such an emotional drain this was. So, I've done a lot of research about acne. I've been told that it is internal and hormonal. It's about what you EAT. Do NOT eat dairy. If you absolutely crave milk/yogurt -> go for Sheep's milk products, they are better quality because their deficit. If you crave ice cream -> go for sherbet (believe me I have a SWEET TOOTH). I have discovered BORAGE OIL. Google it and see how beneficial it is. Ever since I've started taking BORAGE OIL I noticed my the pimples/cysts start to shrink after about 1 week. My skin have improved in texture as well -->just after one week = imagine what will happend in the long-run. So, yesterday, I had done ALA Blue Light dynamic therapy and I am waiting for results. Will post with an UPDATE! Good luck and keep strong!
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April 12, 2007

Pros:

worth a try, saw results with one treatment, pores tighter, skin smoother

Cons:

housebound for 2 days, face looked severely burnt

i suffered with acne when i was a young adult and was left with minor scarring - going into the peri-menopause years i began getting white bumps underneath my skin i thought great here it goes again!!! I consulted with a dermatologist and he recommended the levulan and blue light therapy - I had my first treatment a month ago and just yesterday had my second treatment - there's no doubt you're housebound for a couple of day, it's almost depressing because your so red, but after a couple of days you start seeing improvements even with the peeling that is happening- and as time goes on face starts looking better and better- i feel it's worth trying because of the positive results i've seen - for those that haven't been happy with this treatment i hope you find something that works because acne is not easy to live with and for us that have it know this only to well. Good Luck
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March 31, 2007

Pros:

Smoother skin after 1 treatment

Cons:

pricey

I had 1 treatment so far-yesterday. So far, my skin is much smoother. The derm used the Blu-u ligt therapy for 10 minutes and then I went to another room where they used some type of hot laser on my skin but it wasn't painful. I have to pay 500 dollars for each session and only get 1 per month. oh.. my derm also told me to use plain old acetone (good old finger nail poilish remover- go figure!) once a week and then follow by a moisturizer. Hope it works! (I'm 37 and have had acne for literally 27 years.)
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The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

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