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
October 19, 2009
Cons:
It is kind of painful on the second day. that was the worst. I have begun to have hte whiteheads that broke out orund my problem area which is annoying, and it is now tight and buggin me.
I don't know if I woudl do this again, i will have to see what the ned results will be. Hoefully they will be great. I don't know how older people do this. I am young and i know a lot of older people get this for precx. this is not the funest thing I have done.
June 24, 2009
Pros:
Clear, smoother, poor size reduced skin. I would do this again if I needed to. My skin never looked better and it's been 4 years sense the treatment and I have little to no acne issues.
Cons:
It's a little painful and the recovery time takes around 4 weeks. You MUST stay out of the sun completely the first week of treatment or it will activate again and burn you further. This can cause the scaring and intense pain some people talk about.
You MUST follow the instructions that the doctor provides you and stay out of the sun while recovering from the treatment. You should also expect to have severe brake out's after treatment because it's pushing ALL of your skins impurities to the surface all at once. I broke out for a good three weeks after but took very good care of my skin during this time. The pain was much like a bad sunburn but while I was home for three days after treatment I just used a small fan and a spray bottle of water to help cool my skin. It was worth it. Just like any procedure there could be some skin discoloration, however this heals with time as your skin rejuvenates it's self. I would suggest this for anyone with skin cancer or acne. My skin continues to look youthful and amaizing late into my 20's.
December 3, 2011
Pros:
Acne completely cleared for several years now
I had serious rosacea that was not properly diagnosed and I was put on antibiotics and various skin creams over the years it did not really help my skin until I found this treatment
Cons:
Down time and redness for at least 1 week to 10 days, and skin peeling - these are inconvenient and should be planned for
The treatments I have received since the last 5 years included Levulan applied and left for 2 hours and then NOT rinsed off but IPL and Blu-U were used after the 2 hours to activate the Levulan experienced some burning, itching and a great deal of red coloration and after the third day, a great deal of peeling so that one complete layer of my skin was exfoliated and it looks like a second layer may peel from my nose and chin all new skin exposed looks great very tight and clean - must stay out of the sun and take good care of my skin by using Cetaphil cleanser and creme and then I will resume PCA skin treatment following that I have an excellent doctor who works at Vancouver Laser and Skin Care and he will evaluate your skin before the treatment After treatment care consists of vinegar rinses sounds strange but relieves that itchy feeling
July 23, 2011
Pros:
Less oil, smaller pores, smaller zits rather than cysts.
Cons:
Whiteheads galore, still breaking out (although give it at least 6 weeks for skin to thoroughly purge itself), downtime, Aquaphor -- ugh!
I've always had oily skin, large pores, and zits here and there but my skin exploded with cystic acne after a traumatic experience when I was 27. I've tried EVERYTHING under the Sun to cure the acne as well as repair the depressed and icepick scars that humiliate me. My last resort before I have a Fraxel Re:pair (this winter -- EXCITED!) was photodynamic therapy. The first time I had a PDT it involved a light microderm, followed by the AHA being applied and left to incubate for an hour. After that I sat for 15 minutes under a blue light. There was no pain, just a warm sensation -- like getting too much sun -- but I had a fan on my face to keep cool. Afterwards the doc shot me with an IPL (which hurt like heck even with Valium). The aftermath was that I had only a few whiteheads and I looked like I had a bad sunburn. I kept out of the sun for two days (medicine is still active), and kept Aquaphor on (yuck) until I went back a week later. Bottom line: I had slight flaking, but a definite decrease in oil all over but especially on my cheeks. My forehead was still kind of oily and my chin had a shine, but it wasn't as bad as it was. My pores were smaller, but I still broke out in small zits and whiteheads. I was told to give my face at least 6 weeks for it to completely purge itself. There was no change to the scars. I'm also still on antibiotics. This second time -- 3 weeks later -- the doc decided to do a light Fraxel Re:store before the PDT to work the medicine deep in my skin. So I had a microderm, numbing cream, Fraxel, then the PDT and IPL. I had this on Tuesday. Wednesday I had a TON of whiteheads. Now my face is really red and peeling like a snake from the Fraxel. I'm keeping Aquaphor on it until I go back next Tues. I have lots of raised red bumps and a few whiteheads. Little to no scar improvement (to me), but let's cross our fingers. What I want most is an end to this acne (as a 31 year-old woman!) and to smooth out the scars that disgust
November 4, 2011
Pros:
none
Cons:
7 months and my face still has redness. I have weird skin texture- looks like new skin growth in spots. I have bumps on my forehead which i never had before. I look and feel horrible. I was desperate and feel I let myself be talked into this treatment with the promise of a miracle. I now wholeheartedly regret it. I only did one treatment and refused more. I still have cystic breakouts.
Do not believe the hype. If you choose to do this procedure be aware it can cause serious permanent damage; scarring, permanent redness.
February 28, 2015
causes scarring
I made a huge life altering decision to do the levulan PDT 5 days ago. Today I sit here with massive scarring around the temples and cheeks, more on the left than the right side. I sat for one hour after having the kerastick put on and then underwent the 16 minutes of blue light. It was the most intense pain imagineable. My face was so red for 4 days it was turning purple, swollen and burning. Before leaving the derms office we went over the types of light that would be safe to sit under. I asked about LED lights because I have a series of 4 LEDs that light up my family room under a ceiling fan. She said they were OK but flourescants not. BIG MISTAKE! My skin around the upper cheek temple is like plastic with large fissures and hundreds of creases/wrinkles that look like a dried prune. THis is JUST like the skin of a burn victim. I fear this will not resolve and possibly because I was sitting in my family room for about 8 hours under the room LEDs. The left side of my face which is far worse was facing the LEDs. It wasn't till later I found out the Blue Light Therapy itself is from LEDs. I can only hope now that this scarring will somehow get better. My skin never did peel even after the massive burning. I would NEVER EVER do this again.
October 24, 2011
Pros:
Absolutely none
Cons:
Painful, Caused breakouts
I had IPL with levulan blue light treatment for melasma. It caused me a lot of pain, and while it cleared up my hyperpigmentation for a few weeks, it all came back within a month. So the $750 was a complete waste. Worse, it actually caused me to have moderate to severe acne for months afterwards. Since the treatment I have suffered from whiteheads and painful cysts, first on my chin and now on my cheeks. I am hoping I am at the tail end of it, four months later, as it does seem to finally be clearing up somewhat. I would not recommend this treatment, and wish I would not have done it. At least I could cover the skin discoloration with makeup. The acne bumps cannot be covered and I have suffered due to the acne.
September 27, 2009
Pros:
Don't know yet.. just had it done yesterday.
Cons:
Ouch... burning, itching, and this crap better work!!
Over the last few years, my 28 year old self has had horrible breakouts... I recently went to the derm, and she said this would work... It is very intensive. Got microdermabrasion 1st, then sat for 2 hours with the med on my face, and 16 min under the light... Thank GOD for the cooling air tube on my face during the treatment. It wasn't comfortable at all, and I found myself shaking from the pain. After, it kinda gets worse, but the 2nd day it feels a little better... whiteheads have come up, but I hope they slow down. I am taking Doryx antibiotic as well...so hopefully this is the only time I have to do this!
November 26, 2014
HORRIBLE experience
I have suffered from severe acne ever since the age of 12. After trying every treatment product known to man (Murad, Proactiv, every possible acne medication sold by drug stores, etc.) my mother finally took my to the dermatologist when I was 14. I was put on tetracycline which I quickly became immune to and consequently did not respond to. My dermatologist - with a glamorous private practice in Toronto's luxurious Yorkville neighbourhood, recommended that before going on accutane, I try the levulan blue light therapies. Go figure she was so encouraging of it, each treatment costed upwards of 800 dollars. She recommeneded I do 6 sessions for a whopping total of nearly 5000 spent. My mom was so concerned about my self esteem and wanted to do ANYTHING to make it better, so went straight into the treatment without hesitation. The side effects were AWFUL. Not only did the treatment result in 48 hours of extremely red skin, but I was in agonizing pain. I remember crying in the car on the way to school in grade 9, not being able to smile or touch my skin. I later had to come home from school because I could not bare the irritation. I also could not be exposed to sunlight for 48 hours, which I found extremely depressing during my summer treatments. We're pretty certain that my dermatologist knew that I would ultimately need to go on accutane (which I did) and wanted to "rule out" all possibilities before having to go on the harsh drug. The treatments showed little improvement in my acne and the side effects were awful. For such an expensive, painful treatment, I was expecting incredible results. Unfortunately, my dermatologist was just ripping us off. Five years later and I've just started my second course of accutane as well as dianette, hopeful as ever. Acne can be stubborn and dehumanizing, but I am so lucky for my overall great health and have learned to accept this disease as less of a big deal in the grander scheme of things. Keep your chin up, we have so much to be lucky for!
December 28, 2011
Pros:
+ Initially less oil
+ Initially smoother, clearer skin
+ Did away with first signs of aging (slight crow's feet)
Cons:
- Oil slick returned
- Have had my third one and still BREAK! OUT!
- Expensive
This is an update to my original post about five months ago. I actually typed "AHA" instead of "ALA," but you all knew what I meant. :) When I went in for my third treatment, in my drug-induced haze (haha) I asked the doctor would I have to come back any more and unfortunately, I'm one of the lucky ones that this treatment apparently doesn't cure. I still break out with pus-filled lesions as well as cysts. The treatment and lasers the doctor used on me helped some to flatten an old raised Fraxel Re:store burn scar right under my jaw, but, as stated, I still break out. With these treatments running almost $700 a pop, I'm looking at new options. Even though this didn't work for me, I do encourage you to go for it IF you have the funds. Use all options available to you...just realize this may not be the end all be all. Current routine: using Glytone cleanser with a Clarisonic I received for Christmas. Received a new Tanda for Christmas as well. Started the Tanda and Clarisonic this week. Have been using Glytone for months. Trying a trick I heard about...Head & Shoulders shampoo. Been doing this for about a month. I think the zinc is supposed to help. Seeing a dermatologist now...back on spirolactone (for about a week now) after years of being off. Still on doxycycline and taking Vitamin C, lysine, and bromelain as supplements. Still on Ortho-Lo and using Retin-A. Although I'm still having some serious breakouts and major scarring, and I hate looking at myself and having others look at me, I am trying to stay positive and look forward to getting these breakouts under control so I can have my Fraxel Re:pair. I hope that's a godsend. My new dermatologist wants to use a Sciton (spelling?) laser treatment after we get a hold of my acne instead of Re:pair. Keeping fighting the fight and sharing your experiences. As hideous as I feel, I am stronger than most for going through all that I have. And so are you.
Pros:
this is my first treatment and hopefully this works.