Does Photodynamic Therapy Really Work for Acne and How Long Does It Last?

asked 1 year ago by cali310girl in Los Angeles CA
Latest answer by Gary Goldenberg, MD
Question viewed 780 times
Tags: female, acne, longevity

I've tried everything: peels, antibiotics, microderm, topicals, but all of these only control my acne. So I'm really looking for a permanent solution.

6 answers to Does Photodynamic Therapy Really Work for Acne and How Long Does It Last?

PDT for acne

The only "permanent" solution to acne is Accutane, which has about an 80% care rate. All other treatments are just that, treatments. PDT does work for acne, in part by decreasing oil production and in part by killing the bacteria that causes acne. But while this treatment works well, the patients require multiple sessions and invariably relapse - i.e., require more sessions.

Gary Goldenberg, MD
New York Dermatologist

Permanent Acne Improvement

Blue light, photodynamic therapy, antibiotics and topicals suppress acne but do not "cure" it. Smoothbeam laser has been shown to work for 18 months or longer, but not everyone responds to treatment. The only therapy that I have found to be curative in a significant precentage of patients is Isotretinoin, also called Accutane. About 1/3rd of patients never need another acne treatment of any kind. About 1/3rd of patients eventually will need to go back to... more

Madeline Krauss, MD
Boston Dermatologic Surgeon

Photodynamic therapy reduces severe acne

Photodynamic therapy reduces severe acne. Its actions are similar to aculane in that it reduces the size of oil glands and reduces oil production. The advantage is that it does not have the side effects of acutane.

Edward Lack, MD
Chicago Dermatologist

Photodynamic therapy is effective for acne

Photodynamic therapy can be a great treatment for treatment resistant acne or as an addition to an acne treatment plan. The most important thing to remember is that the treatment is considered cosmetic and will most likely not be covered by your insurance. The other thing to keep in mind is that there are several light sources that are effective and the treatment can be done with or without levulan (levulanic acid). It is hard to predict how long the treatment will... more

Keith A. Lopatka, MD
Chicago Dermatologic Surgeon

Photodynamic Therapy is a great treatment for acne.

Photodynamic therapy is a great treatment for acne. Not only does it clear up severe cases, even cystic cases of acne but it also makes the skin surface look so much more even, shrink the appearance of pores and help make the skin look much healthier. My protocol in my office is to recommend 3-4 treatments approximately 3-4 weeks apart and then evaluate at 1 month and 3 months. The results are better at 3 months after a series of treatments than after 1 month so you do... more

Amy Taub, MD
Lincolnshire Dermatologic Surgeon

THere is nothing permanent for acne; long-term is the goal

Remember this saying: "There are no guarantees in life except for death and taxes." Nothing is permanent in acne. The best long-term therapy, something that usually lasts a life-time, is isotretinoin therapy. Don't depend on the advice of friends or your manicurist to guide you. Find a dermatologist who is comfortable with the medicine and who is willing to answer your questions, before he or she makes you better! Sincerely, Barry Resnik, MD in Aventura, FL

Barry Resnik, MD
Miami Dermatologist

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