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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March 25, 2007

Pros:

Clear up pre cancerous spots.

Cons:

Hibernation and being recluse for 2 days. Itching and redness first few days.

I am on my fourth day and have begun to wear my bare minerals make up to cover the remaining redness. So far my experience has not been devestating and I am hopeful that this treatment has taken care of the actinic keratosis on my face. This is a far better treatment than cryosurgery or effudux cream.
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March 7, 2007

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

emotionally damaged

Dont do it. Dont do it. It will turn your enjoyable days into acne nightmares. I cant believe I was so stupid.
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March 7, 2007

Pros:

No pain

Cons:

Made my acne worse, lots of $$$

There are different blu-u light treatments. I did the 'blu-u' blue light photodynamic therapy that requires several weekly treatments at 15 minutes each. I used to have bad acne. After 2 years on duac (a miracle), I went from 25 to 2-3 pimples a week. However, these small 2-3 pimples left redmarks. I was grateful to not be breaking out as much... But... Went to the derm and she suggested I try the blu-u light treatment for red marks and remaining pimples. Halfway though my blu-u treatment, my face is a MESS. My face has NEVER broke out so much. My entire checks are covered in cysts... in places I've never had problems with. I completely regret it. I can't even go to the grocery store because I am SOOO embarressed and people are looking at me like I am a druggie. This has been a complete nightmare, I am 25 and have NEVER IN MY LIFE broke out so bad (was even on accutane and never had it this bad). Heed this as a warning. Even if the acne clears, these new scars will take months to heal.
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March 5, 2007

Cons:

REDNESS, PEELING, ITCHING, INFLAMMATION OF ACNE

I had recently just got a levulan with the blu light treatment done with a acetone scrub prior to the treatment, and have been very irritated for the last 6 days. The acne that I had before the treatment is still the same, even worse. The next day after the treatment i woke up with tons of whiteheads all over my face, and this was good because i have cystic acne and it brought some of it up to surface.I still have 3 more treatments to go and I hope that this works because I payed $2,500 for the package. I will keep you posted after my 2nd treatment.
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February 28, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

hurts a lot! definately not cheap! cost me 800 dollars for one treatment!

this does not work! all the people that r writing that it works, work for a dermotologist! they r just writing that it works to make more money. this treatment does not work and it is rather painful! DLK on Avenue is the dermatologist i went to and they r a complete scam! they have lost all credibility from me and i will forever rant and rave that there clinic is a scam! i have told all of my friends and i may even launch a website against them!! Everyone from toronto DO NOT GO TO DLK ON AVENUE! after the treatment my face was completely red and swollen! this lasted for the next 5 days! very painful and very emabarassing! then my skin peeled for the next 3 days! the areas of my face that actually looked cleaner were areas without acne so it could just be in my head that it is cleaner then before the treatment! but all areas around the jawline, temples, forehead and nose with pimples were untouched and exactly the same as before the treatment!
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February 22, 2007

Pros:

Reduced pore size, reduced sebum production, scars fade, smoother skin texture. Any new pimples (which are few) go away in a day or two.

Cons:

Hiding for a couple days with an awful "sunburn"

Works. If you've got the money don't hesitate to try this procedure.
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ClearAF4444
April 27, 2021

It’s been a decade later, has your acne come back? 
Did you experience premature aging? 

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February 14, 2007

Pros:

Smaller Pores, better skin texture, less breakouts

Cons:

Expensive, and can be painful. ususally need 4-7 days recovery time. Red and swollen for first 2-3 days then lots of peeling afterwards.

I had 3 treatments of levulan/blu-u with microderms before procedure and after recovery. Levulan was left on for 2-3 hours with 20 mins in front of light. After the 1st and 2nd treatments my skin looked AWSOME and i have recieved many compliments about how nice and smooth my skin looked. It not only helped with my acne, it faded red markes, helped scarring and tightened pores. when i did breakout it didnt last and i got tiny little bumps instead of cysts. i just done my 3rd treatment and am in the recovery stage of peeling as i type this. Make sure if u get this done u have it with levulan and not just the blu light. also microderms to breakdown the skin. i believe the number of treatments vary between individuals. Minimum of 3 and then more depending on the person.
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ClearAF4444
April 27, 2021

It’s been a decade later, has your acne come back? 
Did you experience premature aging? 

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February 7, 2007

Pros:

face not so red, did not hurt half as much as the pixel laser.

Cons:

none do far but, i'll keep my fingers crossed.

i just had the procedure done an hour or so ago. my face really isn't that red!! i hope that means its still going to work. i had a pixel laser done 2 months ago . . . which led to 2 days of beautiful skin. . . then a month of the worst break outs i have ever had. although it could be blamed on the fact that i just started birth control. i'll update everyone in a week the doc said it would take about a week to see results
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February 3, 2007

Pros:

skin wasnt so oily anymore, blemishes go away faster

Cons:

price and the peeling!

I had it done 7 days ago and I am finally back to normal. I was red for 5 days and peeled for 3 days, but the peeling was HORRIBLE! I hated every day of it. I ended up getting a few new blemishes after the procedure, but I can say that they only last a day or so, when they used to last up to 7 days. My skin is not oily anymore, which helps with the control of the blemishes. I think I might get one more treatment done, they said to wait 2 weeks. I really dont want to go through that peeling stage again....but I think it's worth it :)
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January 29, 2007

Pros:

It was easy and painless. Cleared my acne. (I had mild-moderate around my chin and a bit on my cheeks)

Cons:

Expensive and you have to be very careful about staying out of any light for 48 hours.

This treatment is only beneficial to people with mild to moderate inflammatory acne and should not be used to treat cystic or severe acne. If your derm is suggesting that it will, get a new derm. Seriously. It also not 100% quaranteed to clear up your skin. There are stats available if you google it but I think it's something like 70% of treated patients experience total clearing. What I noticed about some peoples posts that they were getting a really high number of treatments and that possibly there were treated with the Clear Light, which is a weaker version of the Blu-U. 3 treatments is about standard for most people, with some people having to do some additional treatments. All in all I was happy with my treatment and my skin is pretty much acne free with some minor very small pimples every once in awhile.
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