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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November 10, 2009

Pros:

After a few weeks my skin was noticeably smoother and my acne did clear up as well as the hyper-pigmentation. I did this treatment to help smooth out the acne scars from the past acne issues I used to have.

Cons:

Treatment process is long. About 1 hour in incubation then about 8 minutes in the light treatment depending on your case. You are extremely sensitive to light and may peel for 1-3 days and may have an uneven skin tone for a few weeks.You need Makeup!

This is a costly procedure. Fortunately, my work insurance paid 95% of the fees. The part I truly hated was the peeling and the sensitivity to light that I felt for several weeks. Even though you may go out in the light after 48 hours. I would recommend getting this treatment in the summer. Also the peeling was extremely uncomfortable for me. I didn't peel in the problem areas I was hoping to cure (cheeks) but on my chin and sides of my face and a little on the forehead. I remember peeling so deep that I was all itchy and said I would not do this again. I had to apply a lot of cream and applied a cloth to my face which I dampened and left to freeze in the freezer. But I'm now considering trying it another time and asking the doc to focus on my cheeks. I'll let you know how it goes!
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November 2, 2009

Pros:

It helped my cyctic acne calm down alot. I still break out but they are not as big as before. My face seems alot smoother.

Cons:

Too expensive and not as effective as I was hoping for.

I had this done 5 times, once a month. My derm used a ppx laser to activate the levulan so I set in a room for 3-4 hours then she went over my face twice with the laser. It was painful in some spots but it was over so fast it wasn't too bad. I did not peel but maybe 2 times. It made my scars less noticeable and my face a lot smoother. I still break out every month but it's not the HUDGE cystic acne I am use to. For the price of this treatment I thought it would have really cleared up all of my acne which it did not. I would not pay more than $150 for this treatment.
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October 23, 2009

Pros:

Just had my first treatment yesterday. 3 1/2 hrs. Metvix compound. Then the red light (more intense than the blue) for
8 minutes. painful but bearable

Cons:

cost $300 and not sure what the outcome will be yet. It's early next morning and I am only feeling mild discomfort so wondering what is the lasting effect on the sun damage spots? Medical in Canada does not pay for the treatment.

I am a redhead and had the treatment for severe sun damaged skin headed for cancer. This was a bearable process. My skin does look better so far, and only one day later, but not sure what the long haul process will look like. More treatments are not really affordable, so I hope this one makes the big difference. I will wait for the peeling etc. to see the final outcome, but this process was far better than the liquid nitrogen treatments, which are painful and not completely effective. Barring the expense, I would do it again, providing it really gets rid of the sun damage in several spots over my face.
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October 19, 2009

Pros:

this is my first treatment and hopefully this works.

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.
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October 7, 2009

Pros:

Six days in, and I have already received compliments!

Cons:

Cost and side effects

Everyone is different, so these reviews should be taken as examples of what COULD happen. After readng the reviews, I was so nervous to get the treatment. For me, the discomfort during the blue light sitting was not bad. It felt like I used an astringent and was feeling the "alcohol burn" for 15 minutes. It really was not bad and would not keep me from going again. DO NOT GO INTO BRIGHT LIGHTS! This will cause that "burning" feeling to happen again. I put a wet washcloth in the freezer and just let it rest on my skin when I felt discomfort. By day three, I started peeling and yes, I looked silly when I went back to work. So a bunch of my co-worked asked me if I spent the weekend getting too much sun - so what! I live in Florida! I have not yet had increased breakouts. Right now, my skin is slightly better than before, but I am sure the condition will be even better as the days go by. If you have acne, try this! It is better than acutane and all the sid
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September 30, 2009

Pros:

Highly effective. Remarkable results. Woth every bit of the "Cons".

Cons:

expensive, discomfort during the healing process, lots of swelling and blistering.

My treatment was for sun damage, not for acne. Will definitely repeat every 4-5 years. This treatment left my skin beautiful.
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September 29, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up tiny bumps all over my face

Cons:

Had to hide for a week, peeling skin, more whiteheads/breakouts, looked like a burn-victim

This is my first treatment, so it is hard to say what 3 treatments would be like. My face looks just as bad, if not worse than before. I am hoping it gets better within the next week. I am trying accutane.
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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!
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September 19, 2009
I had moderate acne, went for this treatment, spent 300, had to stay inside for an entire week, skin burned almost excrushiatingly while getting the blue light after the levulan, now, five weeks later my acne is worse than its ever been and i cant even cover it with makeup anymore. i guess everyone is different though. I am going to try acnepril.
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September 15, 2009

Pros:

It improves the scarring

Cons:

Very expensive + not very effective = me unhappy

I had 6 treatments with the levulan, and it improved pores, oilyness and scarring. However, I still break out, and in some areas even more severely than before I started the treatments one year ago. I know of a clinic that stopped offering Levulan because they found it was not very effective and I would have to say that they are good for doing this and not trying to suck money out of everyone. Sadly, IMHO avoid it, at least if you have moderate-severe acne.
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