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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December 24, 2008

Pros:

helped clear up my acne by about 60-70%! My miracle!

Cons:

a little pricey, and you have to hibernate for a few days

Totally worth it! i did my "super blue light" treatment (thats what my derm calls it) 3 weeks ago today. I had a moderate case of acne and most of it was cystic acne. Since i had the treatment, i havent had even one of those big painful pimples! i had a couple baby whiteheads while i was healing from it (the first 3 days), and a couple little pimples since. Huge improvement! I went in today for my follow up and the dr thought i was wearing makeup! woohoo! It sucked having to stay inside those first 48 hours. i had it done on a tuesday morning. Tuesday night i was feeling pretty sunburned, but not bad enough to use the aloe they gave me. All day Wednesday i was pink, but not red. By Thursday i could have put makeup on and gone outside, but i opted to stay inside one more day (luckily i have that option). Friday i was able to put on my normal makeup. I was a little flakey, but not bad. I dont think anyone even noticed. This was my miracle!
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October 4, 2008

Pros:

helped with sundamage, pigmentation & pre-cancer spots

Cons:

48 hr indoor price

i really liked how it affected my skin. I am saving up for another treatment!
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August 9, 2008

Pros:

Brand new surface layer, Shrinks pore size, Effective in killing bacteria underneath the skin

Cons:

At least a week of hiding, chapped skin causes discomfort, annoyance

I got this treatment done a week ago and I sat with the Levulan on for two hours, washed it off, then spent 15 minutes in the light. My face felt as if it were on fire the first day and the second day I began to notice my face becoming increasingly harder to move (smile, eat). For the next week I was very annoyed by the sensation of having a layer of dead skin just sitting, chapped, on my face. When I say layer, I mean LAYER. All of it was dead. I waited anxiously for it to slop off and eventually it did. By one week after my face had done a 360. Red marks were gone, acne disappeared, and I finally had clear skin (plus or minus a few spots). Definitely more than I had expected reading the reviews posted here. I'm sure I'll have it done at least once more because I felt that the process was well worth the result for me. Make sure you're prepared for the side effects which can be extreme.
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August 8, 2008

Pros:

Great improvement in skin texture and number of breakouts.

Cons:

About a week dowtime and can be pretty painful, but definitely worth it!

I have had 3 levulan treatments. The first was Feb 08 and I had vibrodermabrasion prior to applying the levulan, and then levulan incubated for 1.5 hrs. 10 min under the blue light. The second treatment was a month later with only an hour of incubation and 10 min under the light. I had a very good result from this, but like most acne treatments it only treats the symptoms. After going back to my dermatologist after a couple months I just got another treatment but she also suggested taking liver support vitamins to help my liver metabolize my hormones because my acne is hormonal. Also, after being on liver support pills for a while I will start taking vitamin A once a day because my derm doesnt like accutane because its too chemically processed.
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August 1, 2008

Pros:

Will help kill bacteria and shrink sebaceous glands. Reduces scaring, and tightens skin. Reduces amount of active acne, prevents future breakouts

Cons:

48 hours swelling, stinging. Must stay out of sun for 48 hours.
If this is your first and you have sensitive skin ask for less time in incubation with Levulan and less time under blue light. My first visit was 40 min incubation, 8 min blue light

This treatment takes months to really be effective. Many of you have posted and are disappointed after your first treatment. Your skin does not even completely heal for 2-4 weeks, that is why they space the treatments out. Some people see results with as little as 3 treatments, others need more. You can expect to have swelling and stinging for the first 48 hours, after that peeling for several days. This all depends on your incubation period and time under the blue light. Ask for less of each if you are sensitive. After this the skin can break out, but that is why treatments are continued. Do not look at this as a quick fix, but a several month long process with a good deal of down time. You will not have any idea what the real results are until a month or so after your last treatment. That is why you need to go all the way through the treatments. I had one treatment done two years ago and did not like the results and stopped. Recently I had three treatments with great resu
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July 11, 2008

Pros:

My face was much smoother after it peeled after the first treatment. Then I did breakout a week later. My insurance actually covered this treatment because the acne I get is very painful.

Cons:

My face was so red and swollen, and I had to stay inside for 2 days, use ice, and advil.

I am 27 and have had acne on and since high school. For some reason, I've been getting these really painful breakouts for the last two years. I've tried everything possible for my acne since high school, and nothing works. I was so tired of going to dermatologists and just getting all the creams, washes, different types of pills and accutane. Nothing worked. I regret ever trying accutane b/c I wasn't aware of all the side effects. I actually became extremely depressed from it and it didnt' work. I even have tried the food elimination method, and I did find that chocolate makes me breakout very badly. I couldn't pinpoint any other food though. I do think that food plays a big part in acne, so I'm currently trying the raw food diet. I've been on it for 2 weeks, and my face seems to be clearing up. So the raw food diet might be playing a big part in the clearning up of my acne too.
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June 24, 2008

Pros:

Breakouts have decreased, skin looks smooth and evenly toned, great so far

Cons:

Look like crap for 4-6 days. But its worth it.

I battled with acne for about 9yrs now, Ive seen friends acheive great results, decided to try it and all is going well going on my 3 treatment on sat. If you can handle the discomfort of looking like crap for 5 days Id say go have the treatment. I prefer to look like crap for 6 days then to have years of acne on my face. The least i can do is tell everyone my experience in hopes of helping others. PROCESS - I have a microderm first, then the application is applied and left on for 40 mins then under the light for 15 mins. I get them every two weeks, I plan on getting 1 more after this week. Hope this helps.
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June 10, 2008

Pros:

Instantly improved skin texture, Acne improved by second treatment, Inexpensive compared to laser treatments, Works on stubborn acne, Not dangerous like some medications (ie. Accutane)

Cons:

You will have to spend AT LEAST 2-3 days hidden inside if you get a good treatment. Your face will look AWFUL and peel, but spending one weekend a month stuck in your room is totally worth having good skin.

IT WORKS!! Get 3-4 treatments. I paid around $300 per treatment, and I got 4 total. Don't freak out when your skin looks horrible and red right after the treatment. A lot of acne will come to the surface, your skin will hurt and peel and look worse than before the treatment, but just wait it out a few days! The red skin will peel away and both your acne and your skin texture will be improved. For an average treatment, I was fine in 2 days, and for a more intense treatment (like when I was left under the light longer), the peeling would last up to 5 days but the results would be even better.
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April 26, 2008

Pros:

Expensive, Requires Maintenance

Cons:

Clears Skin without the need to ingest additional medication.

You can't really review the affects of Levulan days or even a week or two after treatment (as many people do here). The total effects are visible after 3-4 weeks. Skin is much smoother due to pore tightening and acne begins to subside (initially it could get worse before your skin begins it's healing process). I was significantly clearer for about 6 months, then the affects started to fade. Depending on the severity of your acne, the initial treatment should consist of 3-5 sessions. I had 4 @ $600 each. Generally a touch up session is required 6 months to a year after the first treatment. I would recommend it if you are at your wits end (like I was) and have tried every other option on the market including Accutane. It's definitely pricey.
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March 30, 2008

Pros:

Improved acne, smoother skin (have done micro-dermabrasion with each treatment), when I do get breakouts they clear up much faster!

Cons:

Stinging (mild to severe), Peelings - can be severe, appearance for about 1 week after between redness and peeling, and being unable to go outside or be in bright lights for 48 hours

The treatment is costly and not covered by my insurance. There are no guarantees for how long the results will last - but at least it will get me through my wedding! I have had 4 treatments (just had the 4th yesterday) and my skin has continually improved. The peeling can be severe which makes it hard for me to be comfortable in public during the week after treatment. Follow your doctor's guidelines and you should be fine :-)
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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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  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
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