Acne.org Products
Phototherapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
PDT as it’s called is an incredibly painful procedure, but one that may produce lasting results. It’s a less invasive option than isotretinoin for severe acne that doesn’t cause so many potentially lifelong side effects. However, it works by permanently disabling skin oil glands, and what happens long term when you do that remains unknown. Proceed with caution.
Phototherapy
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Photodynamic Therapy? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 9, 2008
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.
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. :)
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.
May 7, 2007
Pros:
None
Cons:
No help from the procedure
Levulan and IPL treatment. Skin burnt to a crisp, red and peeling, extremely painful. Only went for one treatment and will never repeat. 7 months later, no improvement to my skin at all.
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.
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.
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
January 13, 2009
Pros:
Im only on my 2nd treatment so Im hoping 3 treatments will help me.
Cons:
the first 48 hours if you even take one step into the sun it feels like your face is on fire, your face breaks out with a million little white heads (its disgusting) your face is VERY red, and about day 3 your face feels so tight & dry it itches BAD!
Im on day 3 of my 2nd treatment & Im very sad. My face broke out with a million lil whiteheads its just depressing to even look at myself. I know its supposed to bring everything to the surface first so Im trying to stay positive about it & hopefully it will get better. Its embarrassing to go to work. I wish I was fortunate enought to get a week off work at least. After I finish all 3 treatments Ill be back to let you know my final results. My ratings are not quite accurate because I dont know what my final results are yet.
November 15, 2008
Pros:
not to sure yet. I got it done yesterday and dont see any results yet except only a few pimples are smaller in size.
Cons:
LOTS of embarrassing redness. face is more swollen today than it was yesterday. Have read a lot of bad reviews and im worried that it wont work on me.
I used to tan alot with artificial light and only recently (2 yrs. ago) have begun to develope a lot of acne which I believe is largely due to tanning (oily tan lotion plus UV light are not a great combo, heat and opened pores plus all that lotion is what I believed has caused these insane breakouts.) decided on levulan but i am now afraid because of the bad reviews. I see more negative responses than positive so I am constantly praying to the "Acne Gods" to have mercy on my face =)
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.
Pros:
umm..not so sure as of yet.