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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Robanna

September 29, 2008

Pros:

Not as many side effects as Accutane

Cons:

Could not get in light for 2 days, severe peeling and redness.

This treatment was extremely expensive and did not work for me at all. I have had acne for over 30 years and taken Accutane 3 times, it wears off, so I was looking for a treatment with less severe side effects and more permanent results. Two months after treatment my skin is just as oily and prone to break-outs as before treatment started. I had 4 treatments over the course of 4 months. Also, before each treatment I had a microdermabrasion, as my doctor said it would make the treatment more effective. The only lasting effect it has had is that now my skin is very sensitive to products that I could use before the laser treatment. This was a waste of money and not covered by my health insurance.

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Mary-Jane

August 16, 2008

Pros:

I got a free bottle of oil-free sunscreen with my procedure. Yippee. Other than that, Pretty much no pros.

Cons:

Expensive, painful burning during procedure, cannot go out for 48 hours, minor peeling/flaking for about 1-2 weeks after, sensitized skin, minimal results.

It's been about a year since I started this treatment. I had six treatments in increments of 2-3 weeks. Like the others said, you need to stay inside for about 48 hours. I did not experience a lot of flaking and peeling in the days following the procedure, however my skin was very itchy and I had more breakouts than usual. My dermatologist said it would take six months after the last treatment to see the "full results" of the procedure. It's been six months and my skin looks exactly the same as before I started. No worse and no better as far as appearance. But much worse as far as sensitivity. I've never had sensitive skin, but now I can't even use the normal products I've always used to wash my face without burning, redness and irritation. Very disappointing. I would not recommend this to anyone, especially those on a tight budget.

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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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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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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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James

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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Stephanie

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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Jackie

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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Jen

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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Carla

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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