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*Treatment results may vary
PDT of Nose/forehead - 37 Year Old
I elected to have PDT done to treat an AK on my nose. As I had 4 BCCs cut out before I was 30, I am pretty high risk and so chose to have PDT done on a larger area as a preventative, rather than using Efudix on my nose and looking like a mess for a whole month. The plan was to do half my face now (nose and forehead) and the other half later, as the pain is supposed to be quite severe.
The procedure preparation involved a quick wipe of the treatment area with alcohol (which I didn’t feel was done particularly thoroughly) then application of the photosensitising cream. Again, I didn’t feel that the application of the photosensitising cream was very thorough as it was much thicker/more visible on my forehead than on my nose - the area that actually warranted the treatment.
The cream stayed on for four hours as I stayed indoors. I then went back to the clinic and had the light on for 8 minutes. I was quite anxious about this as I’ve heard it described as the worst pain someone’s ever endured. I had taken a single codeine tab an hour prior to help with this.
The first minute wasn’t too bad, felt a bit tight and zappy. The burning sensation increased but must have been ok up until about 5 minutes as the tech advised me there were three minutes left and I thought she meant I’d had three minutes done. The pain worsened and did feel like my forehead in particular was being fried, but this was made much better by the tech spraying my face with water when I requested. I had no pain whatsoever on my nose which worried me a little. In all, it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected but I was surprised that my forehead was painful and I didn’t feel a thing on my nose. Was worried this meant it didn’t work on my nose but time will tell.
The post procedure pain has been really minimal. First night I experienced itching/discomfort rather than pain and took an antihistamine to help me sleep. I have been cautious about light and have soaked my treatment area 4-8 times daily with a vinegar soak and covered with Vaseline as prescribed.
I had white head looking pimples appear on around day 2, these have gradually subsided. At day four the redness on my nose (though only minor) has subsided but the spot we were treating is still there. I hope it disappears over the next few days.
Returning to work tomorrow (day five).
The procedure preparation involved a quick wipe of the treatment area with alcohol (which I didn’t feel was done particularly thoroughly) then application of the photosensitising cream. Again, I didn’t feel that the application of the photosensitising cream was very thorough as it was much thicker/more visible on my forehead than on my nose - the area that actually warranted the treatment.
The cream stayed on for four hours as I stayed indoors. I then went back to the clinic and had the light on for 8 minutes. I was quite anxious about this as I’ve heard it described as the worst pain someone’s ever endured. I had taken a single codeine tab an hour prior to help with this.
The first minute wasn’t too bad, felt a bit tight and zappy. The burning sensation increased but must have been ok up until about 5 minutes as the tech advised me there were three minutes left and I thought she meant I’d had three minutes done. The pain worsened and did feel like my forehead in particular was being fried, but this was made much better by the tech spraying my face with water when I requested. I had no pain whatsoever on my nose which worried me a little. In all, it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected but I was surprised that my forehead was painful and I didn’t feel a thing on my nose. Was worried this meant it didn’t work on my nose but time will tell.
The post procedure pain has been really minimal. First night I experienced itching/discomfort rather than pain and took an antihistamine to help me sleep. I have been cautious about light and have soaked my treatment area 4-8 times daily with a vinegar soak and covered with Vaseline as prescribed.
I had white head looking pimples appear on around day 2, these have gradually subsided. At day four the redness on my nose (though only minor) has subsided but the spot we were treating is still there. I hope it disappears over the next few days.
Returning to work tomorrow (day five).