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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August 7, 2009

Pros:

Can see it getting rid of the existing acne I had when I went in, dark spots seem to be peeling off.

Cons:

Really expensive...how did everyone else on here get it for around $300??? Burning sensation pretty bad during light treatment. Have to stay indoors. My face is very itchy!!

I am on day 3 after the treatment. The first day it burned pretty bad, and the second day I went outside for less than 30 seconds to chase after my dog and it felt like someone had held a flame to my face. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE for 24 HOURS AFTERWARD. Now my face is very itchy and peeling and lots of whiteheads around the problem areas of my cheeks and chin and around my mouth. I just hope it purges everything quickly and gets better and does not cause more acne. I don't know if I can afford another treatment at the same place I went, $550 a time is super expensive for my budget.
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August 3, 2009

Pros:

i am now doing my 2nd treatment, just got done sitting the 16 minutes, the first time i did it was about two months ago and it really cleared my skin up, reduced some redness and shrunk my pores....

Cons:

not being able to go out in public for about a week, the peeling, the burning.....but its not too bad. its DEF. worht it.

i could do 100 of these treatments, they are wonderful and not too painful, easy clearing of the skin!
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August 2, 2009

Pros:

I have done two of these treatments so far and am going in for a 3rd tomorrow, nearly two years since my first. I have to say, it really helps with the cysts, oil, scaring, and pore size, and I am luclky to have my insurance covering most of it.

Cons:

Of course the downtime. But in perspective - it is worth it a hundred times over. What's 4-7 days of downtime for months of skin that is clearer? It is VERY worth it. What helped me a lot was using a cool compress on my face when the pain flared up.

In my case, I am unable to take Accutane safely with my other medications and this was the alternative. When I first tried it I was horrified at how my skin looked in the days following - but for the second treatment I simply took down my mirror for the week & it helped a ton! In the long run, it helps with so many more things than other acne treatments and I am able to get my cysts to a manageable level - less than 3 a month - which is amazing in comparison to the three to four a day. Please consider trying this treatment if you feel like you are in a downward spiral of acne, but also realize that you have to be able to commit to the recovery period - do NOT jeopardize this expensive treatment by trying to recover faster. Also, for those of you with bad cystic acne who are unable to have your insurance cover the treatment, try talking with your dermatologist about communicating with your provider that this is not simply a vanity treatment, but one for the pain that come
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July 24, 2009

Pros:

It really works. Without the horrible side effects of accutane

Cons:

it's expensive. 4-5 days of downtime

Levulon with Blue Light WORKS-- WORKS. I was on accutane and it worked for a little while but the clogged oily skin came back and it didn't get rid of the pitting and scars. Blue Light takes a few treatments. My skin got really ugly during the time of healing. It peeled, it oozed, really terrible oil came out. It looked like a terrible sun burn for about 4 days. But the results are more amazing than accutane. I had bad side effects from accutane-- joint pain, floaters in my eyes that still have not gone away. It messes with your thyroid. I can't believe the insurance will not cover a superior treatment like Blue Light with Levulon.
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July 18, 2009

Pros:

Helped to clear skin.

Cons:

MUST stay inside for at least 24 hours, 48 is better.
Expensive

After reading reviews, a lot of the problems people have with this are a result of not staying COMPLETELY out of the sun for the recommended time. If you do that, after two days your skin will be back to normal. I stayed inside for a full two days after all 3 of my treatments and it did help.
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July 11, 2009

Pros:

I just had my second treatment today so I am waiting for the results - I have had less breakouts since my first tratment

Cons:

staying indoors for a whole weekend - but after 113 years with acne - totally worth it.

I read a lot of posts on this site about using the levulan and blue light treatment. I have to say the recovery was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be - granted everyone is different. After my first treatment I looked sunburned later that evening and the following day. By the end of the second day and definitely by the third morning you couldn't tell I had had treatment. During the first 24-48 hours I avidly applied moisturizer, ice and ran from the sun like a vampire - I think it made a large impact on the ease of my recovery. I didn't peal or have any hyper pigmentation. I am on day 1 of my second treatment (this time they kept me in the levulan for 75 minutes instead of 60) I feel a little warmer than usual and I hope to see some real results. My doc said it typically takes 2-3 times to see a significant difference.
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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.
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June 5, 2009

Pros:

Smoother skin, slight improvement in acne.

Cons:

Hyperpigmentation (streaks) where Levulan was applied. White skin where not aplied. Still breaking out :(
Was confined to house for 6 days

I am on day 10 of my first treatment. Was very painful-thankfully my dermo gave me Tylenol with Codeine. Turned tomato-red, and peeled for abut 3 days. Am still breaking out and am left with hyperpigmentation that I did not have before. Not to mention, I am still breaking out. :(
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June 3, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my cysts...reduced sebum production.. made my skin really smooth and pores are small..

Cons:

None really. I have really sensitive skin and am white. The burn is not as bad as people say. It turns red. It didn't hurt at all. Just felt really dry and had some peeling. But you get peeling with every acne product practically.

This works. Its safe and effective. Its much safer then taking antibiotics and accutane. I did both and although accutane was great while i was on it.. my acne came back really strong when i went off over time. They left the levulon on me for an hour and a half then i had IPL on it first and then a few minutes in the BLU light. Its not that painful. Really. Please do this if you can afford it, you wont regret it. It worked for me, but everyone is different i guess.
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May 30, 2009

Pros:

I have used accutane 2 times and there really is nothing left except this. I went with 5 cysts on my cheeks and they were leaving scars. The cysts cleared up after the first use. All but one. I can visibly see a reduction in pore size.

Cons:

The first treatment was HORRIBLE. He said LESS severe side effects than accutane. WRONG. My skin SCABBED, peeled and is about 4 shades darker in the area that he put the levulan than my untreated skin. I think the sun burned me.

It has tremendously helped me. I was desperate and at 27 it is NOT fun to be getting acne when high school kids are getting it. It's embarrassing and painful. Although I have some pigment change, the doctor assured me it will fade COMPLETELY after 3 months. I can definitely see it fading. This product does take some down time. It BURNS like a sun burn and you MUST stay out of the sun after the treatment. It will also peel. The first treatment was MUCH more abrasive than the second. I am on day 2 of my second treatment and although my skin is a little red and irritated, it is nowhere near the condition of the first. I looked like I was a burn victim. The result is definitely what you have to focus on. My cysts have disappeared and I can see a MAJOR change in my pore size. YOU WILL LIKELY BREAK OUT because the treatments cause your skin to bring out the impurities before it heals. Be patient. Eventually your skin will be MUCH better than before and FOLLOW all INSTRUCTIONS.
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