POSTED UNDER Photodynamic Therapy Reviews
44, Actinic Keratosis/Pre-Cancerous. Lone Tree, CO
ORIGINAL POST
I've had several spots of concern frozen on my...
WORTH IT
I've had several spots of concern frozen on my face over the last few years successfully. Also, 1 spot on my left cheek that seems to be darker, flaky, and reoccuring. Because I live in Colorado and spend a lot of time outside year round I see my Dr. for a skin check every 6 months. This time he suggested doing the PDT/Levulan Blue-U light for sun damage and the actinic keratosis. Hopefully, to reduce the spots and minimize scaring. I will have 2 treatments. The first one was Tuesday. I will have a second treatment in 3-5 weeks.
Procedure Day: Got all my Thanksgiving food shopping done in the morning and figured I use my 48 hours indoor to get the cooking done. Procedure done at 2pm. Washed face, Levulan applied on entire face. Kind of itchy and tingly. Waited for 1.5 hours. Placed in front of blue light for 16 min.
Holy s#&@!!! I was warned by friends it hurt. After 30 sec. +/- it felt like my face had been placed into a frying vat of hot oil!! I am not kidding. It took until about 10 minutes for the feeling to subside a little. I kept telling myself..."you've had a child, you can do this."
I made all 16 min. Moisturize cream applied. Done.
Face was immediately red like a bad sunburn. I could tell by the redness in certain areas the spot on my cheek was not the only area this treatment was attacking. Sun was almost set going home so covering up wasn't an issue.
My face burned all night and looked like a very bad sunburn with goggle marks around my eyes. I took some ibruprofin for pain. Tried some ice to. Had a hard night of sleep because I was uncomfortable.
Day 2. Face very red and swollen. Spot on left cheek is maroon. Some similar spots on my bottom lip, and upper lip line, left temple, cheekbone on right. Appears these are other spots the Levulan was absorbed into the abnormal cells it targets. Things that were yet to come! Regular moisturizer doesn't seem comfortable so I am keeping Aquafor on my face. It's greasy, but it's just me and my son. Skin still burned but diminished through the day and was tolerable with ibruprofin.
I pretty much followed the doctors staying out of sun and light for 48 hours. I am a single mom so some ventures out of the house were impossible to avoid ( taking son to practice, taking dogs out). When I did go out I wore a hat, sunglasses, and a buff (tube bandana) and completely covered my skin.
I cooked my Thanksgiving sides. Had to be careful when I got near heat as the burning sensation came on quickly! Applied Aquafor again before bed.
Today is Thanksgiving. I'll venture out to meet my boyfriend and his coworkers that I cooked Thanksgiving for (firefighters on a 48 hour shift).
Skin feels more dry today like it might start to Crack and peel. Washed my face. Applied my night cream for moisture. Applied lots of cover up since I am really red! Covered it up well! Even my son said he almost forgot. Looked presentable for Thanksgiving with friends and family. As the afternoon went on I could feel the tight, dry, cracking, itchy feeling coming on. Started getting flaky around my mouth. Bottom lip is the only thing that still hurts (yes, they even put the Levulan on my lips). Trying to keep Aquafresh on the lips. Washed my face with Cerave when I got home and immediately applied Aquafor. Feels much better, but my face is starting to peel as expected. Gentle washing and moisturizing should keep it comfortable tonight.
Tomorrow I expect to be really peeling and flaky. I am supposed to work (ski patrol) this weekend. Dr. said it's ok as long as I wear high SPF sunscreen and cover my face...love the buff! I think it will be ok. Not 100%, but it's normal to have goggles, helmets, face mask. As long as I don't look like Freddy Kruger and scare my patients/coworkers hopefully I can work. I'm pretty transparent and don't have a problem explaining what's going on. If anything maybe I can influence some of my younger coworkers to avoid the goggle tan and slather on the sunscreen!
Sorry I didn't take any before pictures! I think my description of day 1 & 2 gives you a clear idea.
Procedure Day: Got all my Thanksgiving food shopping done in the morning and figured I use my 48 hours indoor to get the cooking done. Procedure done at 2pm. Washed face, Levulan applied on entire face. Kind of itchy and tingly. Waited for 1.5 hours. Placed in front of blue light for 16 min.
Holy s#&@!!! I was warned by friends it hurt. After 30 sec. +/- it felt like my face had been placed into a frying vat of hot oil!! I am not kidding. It took until about 10 minutes for the feeling to subside a little. I kept telling myself..."you've had a child, you can do this."
I made all 16 min. Moisturize cream applied. Done.
Face was immediately red like a bad sunburn. I could tell by the redness in certain areas the spot on my cheek was not the only area this treatment was attacking. Sun was almost set going home so covering up wasn't an issue.
My face burned all night and looked like a very bad sunburn with goggle marks around my eyes. I took some ibruprofin for pain. Tried some ice to. Had a hard night of sleep because I was uncomfortable.
Day 2. Face very red and swollen. Spot on left cheek is maroon. Some similar spots on my bottom lip, and upper lip line, left temple, cheekbone on right. Appears these are other spots the Levulan was absorbed into the abnormal cells it targets. Things that were yet to come! Regular moisturizer doesn't seem comfortable so I am keeping Aquafor on my face. It's greasy, but it's just me and my son. Skin still burned but diminished through the day and was tolerable with ibruprofin.
I pretty much followed the doctors staying out of sun and light for 48 hours. I am a single mom so some ventures out of the house were impossible to avoid ( taking son to practice, taking dogs out). When I did go out I wore a hat, sunglasses, and a buff (tube bandana) and completely covered my skin.
I cooked my Thanksgiving sides. Had to be careful when I got near heat as the burning sensation came on quickly! Applied Aquafor again before bed.
Today is Thanksgiving. I'll venture out to meet my boyfriend and his coworkers that I cooked Thanksgiving for (firefighters on a 48 hour shift).
Skin feels more dry today like it might start to Crack and peel. Washed my face. Applied my night cream for moisture. Applied lots of cover up since I am really red! Covered it up well! Even my son said he almost forgot. Looked presentable for Thanksgiving with friends and family. As the afternoon went on I could feel the tight, dry, cracking, itchy feeling coming on. Started getting flaky around my mouth. Bottom lip is the only thing that still hurts (yes, they even put the Levulan on my lips). Trying to keep Aquafresh on the lips. Washed my face with Cerave when I got home and immediately applied Aquafor. Feels much better, but my face is starting to peel as expected. Gentle washing and moisturizing should keep it comfortable tonight.
Tomorrow I expect to be really peeling and flaky. I am supposed to work (ski patrol) this weekend. Dr. said it's ok as long as I wear high SPF sunscreen and cover my face...love the buff! I think it will be ok. Not 100%, but it's normal to have goggles, helmets, face mask. As long as I don't look like Freddy Kruger and scare my patients/coworkers hopefully I can work. I'm pretty transparent and don't have a problem explaining what's going on. If anything maybe I can influence some of my younger coworkers to avoid the goggle tan and slather on the sunscreen!
Sorry I didn't take any before pictures! I think my description of day 1 & 2 gives you a clear idea.
adventuremum's provider
Replies (2)
May I please ask you how you are doing now? And if your face is splotchy afterwords at all. I am scared to death to do this procedure because I have had my share of bad outcomes in mistakes by doctors. I just learned yesterday that I will need this procedure. My doctor has not suggested any moisturizeror any sunblock that I can use. I stay away from chemicals and carcinogens, but she doesn't seem to be aware of some of the carcinogens that are in these products. I'm wondering if something with arnica it it might be good. Could you please recommend what I should purchase before hand for my face and ears? Any chance you can post a few photographs now?
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Make sure to post updates as you go.