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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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
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January 26, 2009

Pros:

Just had my first, and perhaps only, treatment 4 days ago.

Cons:

I was not prepared for the severity of reaction: face looks scalded & initially swollen beyond description. 4th day: swollen but not misshapen; crusty scabs forming. Would like to hide but have to go to work. Not enough info given prior to treatment

I had several bouts of Efudex treatment for AK's and it works, but there's a week to 10 days of face looking like hamburger meat. So dermatologist said this was the better way to go. Was told "some" people experience redness. Since my face didn't appear red right after the treatment I thot I would escape this side effect. Holy cow! Was I surprised! So, the verdict is not yet in for me. If the treatment does all it's supposed to do...well, maybe it's a good thing but patients really need to be better prepared for the side effects.
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January 13, 2009

Pros:

Im only on my 2nd treatment so Im hoping 3 treatments will help me.

Cons:

the first 48 hours if you even take one step into the sun it feels like your face is on fire, your face breaks out with a million little white heads (its disgusting) your face is VERY red, and about day 3 your face feels so tight & dry it itches BAD!

Im on day 3 of my 2nd treatment & Im very sad. My face broke out with a million lil whiteheads its just depressing to even look at myself. I know its supposed to bring everything to the surface first so Im trying to stay positive about it & hopefully it will get better. Its embarrassing to go to work. I wish I was fortunate enought to get a week off work at least. After I finish all 3 treatments Ill be back to let you know my final results. My ratings are not quite accurate because I dont know what my final results are yet.
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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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January 10, 2009

Pros:

none at all worse than ever,can't believe I fell for this mess

Cons:

ruined my skin has made it a total disaster,wasted a whole bunch of money and summer

If you like throwing your money and your time away go for it, I wouldn't do it again if someone paid me a million bucks, I am a 31 year old woman with a mess that noone knows what to do with I can't even look at people when I am talking to them my students even ask me what happened to my face or how I got this rash. hate eveything about the treatment
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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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December 24, 2008

Pros:

helped clear up my acne by about 60-70%! My miracle!

Cons:

a little pricey, and you have to hibernate for a few days

Totally worth it! i did my "super blue light" treatment (thats what my derm calls it) 3 weeks ago today. I had a moderate case of acne and most of it was cystic acne. Since i had the treatment, i havent had even one of those big painful pimples! i had a couple baby whiteheads while i was healing from it (the first 3 days), and a couple little pimples since. Huge improvement! I went in today for my follow up and the dr thought i was wearing makeup! woohoo! It sucked having to stay inside those first 48 hours. i had it done on a tuesday morning. Tuesday night i was feeling pretty sunburned, but not bad enough to use the aloe they gave me. All day Wednesday i was pink, but not red. By Thursday i could have put makeup on and gone outside, but i opted to stay inside one more day (luckily i have that option). Friday i was able to put on my normal makeup. I was a little flakey, but not bad. I dont think anyone even noticed. This was my miracle!
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December 21, 2008

Pros:

dryer skin, whiteheads have come to the surface

Cons:

hyperpigmentation, looks like someone spreaded mud on my face in streaks

I just had this procedure done on Thursday. I am awaiting some miraculous results. I have searched for information on the effects of this treatment on black skin, and I could not find anyone. That is why I listed my name as blackwoman34 because I want to be able to help someone else. Everyone's skin is different, but I sure would like to hear from someone who has severe scarring about the effects of this treatment on their skin. HELP!!!
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November 16, 2008

Pros:

My skin did a complete 360! few to no pimples, scarring decreased, less shiny and less oily.

Cons:

Downtime. The first day your skin is very red and burns! The second day is better, very very red but doesnt burn as much and will start to feel stiff. The third day your skin will peel and is uncomfortable but not unbearable. But it gets better!

Improved my incessant acne. I'm on the second day of my second treatment. After the first treatment, my skin had already improved significantly! I mean, 0 to 1 pimples at max compared to 10-12. Hopefully this will be my last treatment. The recovery is quite umcomfortable and unsighly, but it definetely worth the cost and recovery time. Plus my medical insurance covers nearly half of the treatment
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November 15, 2008

Pros:

not to sure yet. I got it done yesterday and dont see any results yet except only a few pimples are smaller in size.

Cons:

LOTS of embarrassing redness. face is more swollen today than it was yesterday. Have read a lot of bad reviews and im worried that it wont work on me.

I used to tan alot with artificial light and only recently (2 yrs. ago) have begun to develope a lot of acne which I believe is largely due to tanning (oily tan lotion plus UV light are not a great combo, heat and opened pores plus all that lotion is what I believed has caused these insane breakouts.) decided on levulan but i am now afraid because of the bad reviews. I see more negative responses than positive so I am constantly praying to the "Acne Gods" to have mercy on my face =)
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