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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September 14, 2008

Pros:

Gives you a new layer of skin

Cons:

Redness, iritation, pealing of the skin for several days. cant be outside for 48 hours.

This is day three for me after getting the treatment... and right now i wish i would have never done it. My face is very red and sensitive and im pealing all over. But, hopefully in the next few days it will be gone or at least better than it is now.
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August 12, 2008

Pros:

Clears skin with as few as 2-3 treatments, as well as reduces shine and breakouts.

Cons:

Very painful, expensive, only of short term duration (Max. 2 years), downtime!!! (be prepared to remain isolated for a few days as your face may become really red and flaky.

If you have the money and convenience of having time to burn in isolation (1 week) and have tried many of the other options without success then this treatment is a must!
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July 16, 2008

Pros:

Absolutely pain free. Alittle red now after about 6 hrs. since treatment. Think I could have done longer under the blue light, but better to be cautious the first time.

Cons:

Can't go outside for 48 hrs. after treatment.

I had it done for sebaceous hyperplasia and it seems to have taken a few of the spots away, but I know I'll need addtional treatments to rid myself of all of them.
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July 10, 2008

Pros:

any treatment has a Pro.

Cons:

Redness and swelling. Severe breakout after treatment.

I have been battling acne for over 2 years now and have tried Proactiv. Having had no luck, I gave Blu-U and Levulan a shot. It has been about 6 days now after my first treatment. At first, my face became very red. This lasted for about 4 days. During this redness I did breakout constantly especially around the chin area. I'm guessing because it's really surfacing all the infectious bacteria thats deep down under my skin. These breakouts do leave very dark spots but I'm not at all worried. Being skeptical about a treatment does no good. I'm scheduled for my 2nd appointment in about 4 weeks. And im sure it will be much better.
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July 2, 2008

Pros:

cleared up all acne- my face was perfect

Cons:

not a long term solution

I had the last of 3 treatments 7 months ago. my skin looked great after the treatments. but about a month after that- i started having the worst acne of my life- leaving behind huge scars- which i never had before these treatments. i am not sure whether this is hormonal or actually linked to the levulan blue light. did anyone else experience worse acne after the treatments than they had before? has anyone heard of a link between these treatments and your acne getting worse?
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June 5, 2008

Pros:

The process is very relaxing! I just had this treatment done 2 days ago...so i'll update you as to the final results!

Cons:

My face is soooo dry. The first day I looked like a lobster with white eyes and lips...now I look like I have elephant skin, which is starting to peel like Goldmember in the Austin Powers movie.

If this works, it will be worth all of the money and pain in the world. I have suffered for many years with acne and to be free of that emotional pain would be a wonderful blessing!
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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.
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April 9, 2008

Pros:

you can almost feel the bacteria in your pores dying

Cons:

SEVERELY chapped and red skin, some pain, complete embarassment

So I'm only about 48 hours into my first bluelight treatment with Levulan. I want to start out by saying that I think this is going to work great for me. You can almost feel it killing the bacteria under the light. HOWEVER, the recoop time the doctor told me did not cover the half of it. I was warned there would be "slight discomfort with some swelling, redness and peeling, but it should clear up within 48 hours." Well, unless there's fresh skin just under these chapped scabs, I'm definitely going to be missing ANOTHER day of classes, because this is disgustingly embarrassing. My face is red, except for where I had on goggles (which now makes me look completely awful) and I've got ~ 15-20 white heads that have been pushed up to the surface. I think this treatment is a great thing and will work, but from what I'm seeing, you should try and schedule the first treatment when you can afford to hide from the world for 3-4 days.
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March 11, 2008

Pros:

So Far it seems to be helping

Cons:

The redness and pain 24 hours after the procedure. The cost.

I have been a difficult case for many derms. I have seen world experts in the field from Chicago. After exhausting our options including accutane - we decided to try Levulan. So far I have been impressed - most of my skin has cleared after the first treatment but the derm says I need a minimum of 3-4. The two days to follow are the worst with redness and pain. Feels like I didn't wear any sunblock on the beach in Florida for 18 hours straight with full sun exposure. We will see how long this lasts
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February 23, 2008

Pros:

I'll get back to all of you on that - just had it done a few hours ago!

Cons:

Expensive and not covered by my Blue Cross/Shield insurance

I am being treated for mild to moderate adult acne/cysts.The Levulan was applied and I relaxed in a comfy spa chair for 45 minutes while the product did its thing.The doctor then adorned me with goggles and began using the blue light.She warned me it would feel like a rubber-band snapping on my face with a hot jolt.She was correct.Some sensitive spots on my face hurt more than others during the process.But the mild pain was very tolerable. It took about 20 minutes for the blue light process. My face felt very warm during and immediately following the procedure. However, on my one hour drive home, the warmness subsided and my face did not look as red as it was at the office. It is now 3 hours after the procedure and I have little redness or sensitivity to light. I was told to expect the worse and to see some acne develop over the next few days. 2 scripts - one for potential herpe outbreak and another antibiotic to prevent a bacterial infection. I will keep you all posted on my progress!
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