I have had blue light treatments to both my face and scalp about 10 times over 10 years. Some helpful hints.
1) There are several treatment options for diffuse sun damaged skin. The two main choices are 5FU(Effudex ointment) over the course of several weeks. The downside is the potential for a lot of redness and crusting . I preferred the BLUE LIGHT.
The blue light is relatively easy and a short time commitment.
PROCEDURE: A nurse will clean the area of sun damage with acetone to remove any skin oils. Then the nurse will apply Levulan which makes the damaged skin sensitive to the blue light which destroys the sun damaged cells. Usually it’s left on for 1-2 hours. The patient is then given protective eye goggles . While sitting in a chair the blue light machine is moved over the patient and turned on for about 16 minutes.
WHAT TO EXPECT: As the blue light reacts with the Levulan you will experience a prickly burning sensation. Over the course of the 16 minutes the very tolerable discomfort lessens.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR DURING TREATMENT: A) Request a cooling fan which lessens the discomfort. B) Bring a light sweater if the fan makes you chilly. C) I bring reading material for the 1-2 hour wait and music for during the treatment.
POST PROCEDURE: Hopefully you’ll have a nice red reaction which lasts a few days. The nurses will give post treatment instructions.
I’m a big fan of blue light. It’s easy and effective. Obviously may need repeats if indicated.