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
June 3, 2009
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.
March 1, 2008
Pros:
It has been 2 days after my second treatment and the redspots are already going away. I had pretty bad icepick scars too, about 10 on each cheek.. now I have about 3 or 4. This works best if your scars are FRESH! So once ur acne goes away book an apt
Cons:
Hurts a bit!! But its tolerable! I have very low pain tolerance, but if u really want this done, you'll be fine:)
Saw NO difference after the first treatment:(
It fads redspots like crazy!!
There wont be a difference the first time, but the texture of ur skin will definitely improve.
Its very important to exfoliate 3 times a week!
I always put vitamin E on my scars every night!! Major improvement!
Stay out of the sun!! Sunblock urself like crazy!
Just give it a shot!! Tad bit expensive, but it will work:) I paid $300 for three treatments!
Good luck!! I hope it works because having adult acne has been one of the hardest things to deal with:(
*Cheers*
February 3, 2007
Pros:
skin wasnt so oily anymore, blemishes go away faster
Cons:
price and the peeling!
I had it done 7 days ago and I am finally back to normal. I was red for 5 days and peeled for 3 days, but the peeling was HORRIBLE! I hated every day of it. I ended up getting a few new blemishes after the procedure, but I can say that they only last a day or so, when they used to last up to 7 days. My skin is not oily anymore, which helps with the control of the blemishes. I think I might get one more treatment done, they said to wait 2 weeks. I really dont want to go through that peeling stage again....but I think it's worth it :)
December 13, 2013
avoid Levulan, did not help acne and caused much permanent scarring!
Pros:
None
Cons:
Created permanent rolling scars on cheeks
Did not help acne at all
Expensive
I stupidly had Levulan done in 2010: In addition to not helping my acne at all, now I have rolling scars on any area where I have dry skin (both my cheeks from jawbone to eye). Also, I looked like a burn victim for 10 days immediately after the treatment and got sunburnt easily for months afterwards. This treatment scarred my skin for life and did not help my acne at all.
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
January 31, 2009
Pros:
Sum of the scars on my cheecks went away on the first week of the treatment
Cons:
Gotta stay indoors for 48 hours, redness, peeling, whiteheads come to the surface
I think most patients who get this done judge too quickly on the first treament which has more cons then pros, but it i trust u that that all switches after 2 more treatments since this process requires it. dont be discouraged from the first treament like i was and give up. im happy i stayed with it cuz my skin already looks way better than b4
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.
February 14, 2007
Pros:
Smaller Pores, better skin texture, less breakouts
Cons:
Expensive, and can be painful. ususally need 4-7 days recovery time. Red and swollen for first 2-3 days then lots of peeling afterwards.
I had 3 treatments of levulan/blu-u with microderms before procedure and after recovery. Levulan was left on for 2-3 hours with 20 mins in front of light. After the 1st and 2nd treatments my skin looked AWSOME and i have recieved many compliments about how nice and smooth my skin looked. It not only helped with my acne, it faded red markes, helped scarring and tightened pores. when i did breakout it didnt last and i got tiny little bumps instead of cysts. i just done my 3rd treatment and am in the recovery stage of peeling as i type this. Make sure if u get this done u have it with levulan and not just the blu light. also microderms to breakdown the skin. i believe the number of treatments vary between individuals. Minimum of 3 and then more depending on the person.
April 27, 2021
It’s been a decade later, has your acne come back?
Did you experience premature aging?
January 4, 2007
Before I had the treatment, I had severe acne. Went in and they did the microderm abrasion before putting the levulan on... but because they'd squeezed me in, the rooms with the blue light/and or the cooler were full, so I waited two hours before they put me under. Sooo painful under the light. My face was almost purple and was hot for two days. All I could do was sit on a couch with a fan directly at my face. I blistered and peeled terribly. But after about a week, though I was still pink, the result was amazing. My skin was clearer than it had been in 10 years. The acne did start to return, so I had another treatment. This time no microderm abrasion and less time with the levulan on. Almost no result. Have had it done twice more with the microderm, and while my skin is not perfect, HUGE improvement.
If nothing's worked for you, this is worth a try, but I strongly suggest getting the microderm first, and keeping the levulan on for as long as they'll let you. Bring tylenol. ;)
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!
Pros:
Cleared up my cysts...reduced sebum production.. made my skin really smooth and pores are small..