Photodynamic Therapy

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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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January 5, 2009

Pros:

I did the Levulan with a photo facials, two times. My face has been very clear for one year. I just recently started getting cysts. It is time to go back.

Cons:

It's kind of expensive. I spent $500 total so that comes to 42$ a month. It is well worth it!! The price has gone up since I did it last year.

I highly recommend it! The lazer feels like a rubberband snapping on your face. That part was not fun. The sun feels very hot on your face afterwards, even just reflections. It takes a few weeks for your face to look really good. I only had a tiny white head on occasion which is way better than the daily 5 plus cysts.

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Carly

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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Anonymous

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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michelle

January 15, 2008

Pros:

none...just rips off your wallett!

Cons:

pricey get ZERO results! i had high hopes, but my very very oily skin is now i can't believe even more oily a week + later, my pores are as enlarged as they were, they are huge, and it caused me huge brealouts like i never had before!

very dissapointed. it was the worst waste of money i have ever done, aside from vbeam lasers, it made my skin worse actually, iam more oily then ever which i couldn't imagine and was why i went to do this, instead of accutane, and to shrink pores which they are larger then life and not shrunken at all by any means. i didn't even peel like i wanted to, it was a joke plus caused me more bumps on my skin and breakouts i had not had before, not a real reason i did this treatment it was more for uneven skin tone, large pores, oil and blotches, and i look worse now *sigh* sucks, don't waste your $$

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Eyeback

June 27, 2016

Takes time but it works

i did pdt back in 2014 because my forehead was a mess i had to stop working due to depression . i had huge cysts that never got away , after the 3 sessions it took some time to my skin to get back to normal, it left me with scars (cysts were huge) but i was acne free for 2 years i mean not even a little pimple. its 2016 and some cyst are comming back probably due to my new job (high anxiety) but its not as bad like it was in 2013. i plan on going back on pdt really soon , if you have the money do it . (sorry for my english)

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Abby

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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J Lynn

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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Anonymous

March 16, 2009

Pros:

It was an effective and quick way to get rid of a good amount of my acne all at once. I started only with very mild acne, and mostly just small bumps under the skin that bothered me.

Cons:

I had this procedure, the levulan with blue light and then the levulan with v-beam. The v-beam is not painless. It feels like someone snapping a rubber band against your face several hundred times.

My skin is very sensitive and the recovery was rough for me. My face swelled up severely, especially around the eyes for about 2 days. My face was ridiculously red for about 3 days and I peeled for about a week. All of it was uncomfortably and slightly embarrassing, but not unbearable. I saw results from my first treatment immediately, about 50% reduction in pimples and my pores looked smaller. After my second treatment, my acne was worse for a week or two and has now settled down. After the 2 treatments, my acne is probably about 80% better total. This treatment is very harsh on the skin, so only try it if you have tried everything else and nothing has worked. I only had very mild acne to begin with, but it was persistent. It seemed to help quite a bit and now i am used Obagi products to keep my skin clear. These treatments are VERY expensive but they can work for you. Remember to moisturize a lot after the procedure !!

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Molly

January 12, 2009

Pros:

It works, Big improvement on first treatment

Cons:

Feeling super self concious of going out in public. The week long recovery period.

I am on day 2 of the second procedure. I will never do it again. I hope I won't need too. I broke out really bad 2 months after the first treatment and am praying this one works. Really painful.

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Anonymous

October 27, 2008

Pros:

Brighter Skin

Cons:

Awful painful peeling effect (Doctor said about 50% chem peel equivalent) I speculate it may have been in result of using Tazorac prior to the PDT and there was no burn on nose or forehead (where I don't use tazorac).

Still a new procedure and certain products aren't compatible with the Levulan I think. I had pixel treatment and no problems.

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