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POSTED UNDER Photodynamic Therapy REVIEWS

Levulan Blue Light Therapy for AK/Skincancer - New York, NY

ORIGINAL POST

I grew up in Florida going to the beach and using...

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brendan68
WORTH IT$400
I grew up in Florida going to the beach and using the tanning beds back in the 80's- I never heard anything about sunscreen. In my early 20's I got my first AK. The dermatologist froze it off and told me since I was blonde and fair skinned to be careful and to watch my face because that's where the skin cancer would show up first. Since it's always exposed to sun. I stopped lying out in the sun and started wearing sunscreen but the damage had already been done, over the years I've had tons of ak's cryosurgery- about 8 years ago I did the 5FU treatment, you look awful going through it but it does work and your skin looks younger when finished. My last visit to the dermatologist he said I had a lot more than usual ak showing up and spoke to me about the blue light treatment. He told me what to expect and how I would look for a week afterwards.
The procedure was pretty straight forward, he cleaned my face with acetone, applied the chemical all over my face with the kerastick, sent me out to wait for about a hour and a half, gave me a Valium waited about another 15 minutes. The nurse gave me the air hose and had me lie down on the table. She out put the light over my face and turned it on. Immediately it started to burn. Very uncomfortable but the cold air hose helped. It lasted 20 minutes which actually went by pretty quick. I was told it's going to get worse before it gets better, my face was red like i had gotten a slight sunburn.
It's only day two and there is more redness and swelling, looks like some small blisters as well. It itches like crazy, I think worse than the 5fu treatment. I've been keeping aquphor slathered all over- curtains are closed and I won't be going outside for the rest of the weekend. I'm finding that having a fan blowing on me helps some with the itching plus I keep it cold in my apartment so that helps too. I did use a gel ice pack yesterday but it didn't really do anything as soon as I took it off the burning came back. I got a really good reaction from the procedure and can't wait to see what my skin looks like when it's healed. I was supposed to have my chest done as well but my dr said it would be too much pain considering how much sun damage there is. I'll have that done in a few weeks. I'll post pics from yesterday and today, then update them till I heal.

brendan68's provider

Adam Shaker Geyer

Board Certified Dermatologist

brendan68

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Replies (12)

December 26, 2016
Hi! Didn't you had your beard are treated?
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December 26, 2016
Hi yes he put the chemical on my whole face, there was some pinkness but it went away quick- which means there wasn't much precancerous cells there- everything that turned red is pre cancer cells- I just had my chest done as well.
May 8, 2017
what is the 5fu? I am contemplating doing a photofacial or a peel, my skin is so dull also and doesn't feel like skin,so I thought a peel would be better, but I also have some nice sunspots that need to go,,,,u look great
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May 9, 2017
Topical chemotherapy for pre cancers- you can google fluorocil 5 treatment to learn more about it. My dermatologist prescribed it.
May 10, 2017
Ironic how this treatment looks like the result of a long day at the beach for us blondes. I also never used sunscreen and because I have psoriasis I actually welcomed a sunburn because that helped. I hope this zapped all those nasty cells.
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May 10, 2017
Yes it definitely reminded me of when I used to get burnt at the beach- it really did a good job-
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December 15, 2017
This is a fantastic well written detailed write up. Thank you! I am going in next month for my Levulan/bluelight. Thank you for sharing all of the details!
September 21, 2018
Wonder if it’s done in Australia ? I’ve been having them cut out nd burnt off since I was 29 I’m 59 now and my chest is a mess . Had laser to my face wold that be the same thing ??
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September 21, 2018
I wouldn’t think it’s the same unless it was an ablative laser like co2,. I would speak to your dermatologist about it. It me be called something different there. Good luck.
UPDATED FROM brendan68
2 days post

Feeling a little better

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brendan68
Feeling better than yesterday although there is more swelling - this pic is from a few minutes ago after waking up and washing my face , there is more crusting and a few open sores. I'm keeping my face slathered in aquaphorI'll update later today as well.

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UPDATED FROM brendan68
3 days post

Monday December 12th 2016

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brendan68
Woke up early this morning, face does feel better, I have been washing it with dial gold soap, same soap i use for new tattoos. At starting to peel some but I keep it so moist with aquaphor I feel like it's going to come off in one big sheet! The redness is darkening up as well. Hopefully it will all be finished or at least lighter by the end of the week.

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