PDT Is a Miracle of Modern Medicine - Atlanta, GA

With about a hundred spots of actinic keratosis on my face (most on my forehead, but plenty on my nose, cheeks, chin, upper lip, and tops of the ears), I dreaded the prospect of going in for periodic cryotherapy to get rid of them. My fair skin has paid the price of my Florida upbringing where I worked as a lifeguard/swim instructor in my youth. My dermatologist has been using PDT for three years, and he didn't have to do much convincing for me to agree to the procedure to get rid of all of the lesions at once. Or at least, most of the lesions. Further treatment may be required for the 100.% It is not pain free - neither during the procedure or in the days following. However, it is not horrible - and now my face is beginning to peel - to slough off the sun damaged skin. I expect good results and would recommend this procedure to anyone who is a candidate for it.

Well, I exaggerated the number of lesions on my face - probably not 100. Many of those turned out to be harmless freckles. It was wishful thinking that all of my spots would go away with this treatment. But I did have way too many lesions to be comfortable having them all frozen off piecemeal over time. So. One week later, and my face is back to normal - only with better skin quality.

Pain? It burned pretty good during the 16 minutes and 40 seconds the light was on my face. Especially the first five minutes when I briefly considered bolting. The technician distracted me by asking about my kids, and the rest of the time passed quickly. Who doesn't love to talk about their kids??

Days 1 and 2 post-treatment involved discomfort that a washcloth dipped in ice water took care of. My face was bright red. Day 3 was much better and by Day 4 it was all over but the peeling.

At this point, I feel really good about the skin on my face. Sadly, it did not make me look younger, but now it is middle-aged skin with many fewer opportunities for skin cancer to develop. With smaller pores, less uneven coloring, and possibly fewer small wrinkles. And no more scaly spots on my forehead. The cosmetic benefits are not covered by insurance - even though they come with the territory, but the cancer-related benefits are.

I have a second treatment scheduled five weeks from now - that is if the doctor sees a need when I go back next week for him to have a look-see. Due to my work schedule, I may have to do the second treatment next summer.