Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

Levulan and PDT - No Reaction? - Saint Petersburg, FL

UPDATED FROM Cem8144
1 day post

PDT day 2

C
Cem8144
$500
End of second day. After abut 8 hours in the first day I started getting the redness. This is not horrible at all but I'm not sure how well it will take. I can see of the spots that were flaky are definitely more red but I have no pain or issues at all. I suspect I'll have to do another treatment but knowing how this progressed will make me less anxious next time.

Cem8144's provider

Visage Dermatology

Replies (5)

C
February 24, 2016
Sorry about the typos. I'm using my phone.
B
February 17, 2017
Hope all went well. Did you notice any skin smoothing or complexion changes. Thanks Brenda
S
May 10, 2017
I don't think this is best treatment for cosmetic
It really is an anti cancer treatment
B
October 23, 2019
Agreed. IPL, HALO, or Profractional laser treatments are better for cosmetic outcomes.
B
May 3, 2017
I just had it done today, although they left the Levulan on for 2 hrs, then 16 mins light. I couldn't feel much, and I'm hoping the treatment will actually work.
How was your follow up appointment?
S
May 10, 2017
You should be red immediately! When I had done I was immediately red on fire but it really worked
When they got a newer machine they were unsure how long to leave levulan on and I didn't turn very red and because of that very little cell turn over
I would say leave levulan on longer next time! You can do it in 2 weeks after which will help affect change too
B
October 23, 2019
It honestly depends from person to person. I had the medication on to absorb for 2 hours. My whole face was initially red. The next day, only the reactive spots were read and they started flaking within about 48 hours. A co-worker had immediate, all-over redness, pussing, flaking, and sloughed skin for more than a week. You can't really compare one experience to the other. The amount of AK's that are visible and not visible in your skin is what will dictate.
ORIGINAL POST

I recently had a basal cell carcinoma removed...

C
Cem8144
I recently had a basal cell carcinoma removed surgically from my lip and the path reported basal and squamous cell carcinoma but got clear margins. whew! So my derm recommended I treat the AK on my face with Levulan and PDT. I went in this morning for the treatment. They put the Levulan on for 15 minutes and then put me under the light for 1 hour. I finished the treatment 4 hours ago and I see absolutely no change. The dr. even looked at me and advised the tech to treat my lip because he said I had it on there too. I will come back and write a review after I see how this works.

Replies (5)

JR
February 22, 2016

Let us know if you notice any changes over hte next few days.

V
March 21, 2016
My doctor says the medicine should stay on 2 hours before the light, and then 16 minutes 40 seconds under the light. I had a co worker whom they put under the light right after applying the medicine, and he says it didn't work for him either. I would consult my doctor if I were you
K
May 18, 2016
That's because they did it wrong.
The medicine goes on for an hour, is removed and the light treatment is 12-17 minutes.
M
May 20, 2016
Interesting ,I had the Levulan on my face for 14 hours ,then 40 minutes under the lights .Couldn't believe the discomfort I had for 4 days ,Finally bearable on day 5 .Day 18 now and I still have some small bumps ,but in general I lost a lot of the bad tissues that were bother me
V
May 3, 2017
They are supposed to put the Levulan on for 2 hrs, not 15 minutes