Has anyone had a “blue light treatment” on their face to remove pre-ca

@fazio25
Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a common precancerous skin condition caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources.
Symptoms:
Rough, scaly, or crusty patches of skin
Typically found on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, and back of the hands
May be pink, red, or skin-colored
Can sometimes feel itchy or tender
Causes:
Chronic UV exposure, especially during childhood and early adulthood
Fair skin, light hair, and blue or green eyes
Certain medications, such as immunosuppressants
Diagnosis:
Visual examination by a dermatologist
Biopsy may be performed in some cases to rule out other skin conditions
Treatment:
Topical treatments, such as creams containing salicylic acid, 5-fluorouracil, or imiquimod
Cryotherapy (freezing the lesions)
Excisional surgery
Photodynamic therapy (light therapy)

SK's or seborrheic keratosis is a common noncancerous (benign) skin growth. People tend to get more of them as they get older. Blue light doesn't affect them and Medicare does not cover their removal. They are like a barnacle ! I self pay for their removal. AK's are pre- cancerous and SK's are not.

@fazio25
Actinic Keratoses

My treatment was just 2 days ago. The pretreatment was Levulan Kerastick which I applied at bedtime the previous 7 days.
I've previously hurt myself, broken arm, rotator cuff, but never experienced pain like I felt during the procedure.
I currently am nursing the worst sunburn I have ever had. The operator kept asking if I was ok and I kept answering I didn't think I could continue. "Just a few more minutes and we are done" was the answer.
I'll never agree to this treatment again.

@bloodybill I am SO sorry! Isn’t it just awful! I’ll never do it again either and I don’t think it helped at all. It’s just a money maker for the doctors (like so much these days, sadly). I DO go to the dermatologist every 4 months, though. The freeze treatments they do are far more effective and even remove age spots! Hang in there.

I saw your post from 2024 and want to share something that may be useful. Regarding us of PDT and the pain that it produces I am a frequent patient of PDT and in past two years have tried a “pain free” approach that was researched at the Cleveland Clinic and was discussed in dermatology journals including the National Library of Medicine, about 4 or 5 years ago. This alternative approach has the chemical solution applied to the skin and then followed immediately by 30 minutes under the light. No incubation period like before. The pain during the 30 minutes is very slight, by comparison to traditional regimen. And the pain level day 1 to 3 after is far less in my experience. I have had this approach 3 times versus a dozen or more under the conventional method over the past ten years.
The redness and crusting that I have afterward seems to be much less. Overall healing time is about the same.
I used to dread the PDT appointment and now it is no big deal! Per the research done the effectiveness of the process on treating the skin is equal . My dermatologist was aware of this option agreed to trying it after a i brought up the Cleveland Clinic article.
Obviously check with your doctor and refer them to the Cleveland Clinic information on file at their Department of Dermatology.

@tony591 fascinating! Thank you for this alternative recommendation!!

@tony591
I totally concur. The application of the Levulan and the immediate 30 minute light treatment is almost discomfort free.

I had blue light therapy about four years ago and the actual treatment was not painful at all but the aftermath was horrible. My face and chest burned like acid had been poured all over it for days and days. I kept calling my dermatologist and asking what could be done and then the itching started and that was horrid also. Now I have a new dermatologist and she is suggesting red light therapy and says she will do it for 1/2 the amount of time and see how it works and if I can tolerate it we can do it again in six months. I have been putting it off now for the past five months just not wanting to inflict more pain on myself. I know I need to do it again but I just can't bring myself to make the appointment.

@luvrofthelord I don’t blame you for putting if off. If my dermatologist recommended it I would just say, “no thanks”. Trying the shortened version might be worth trying.

I agree, once is enough for me! And it did nothing on my age spots. The freezing they do on pre-cancerous spots DID remove my age spots, though. This treatment is a painful, ineffective money maker for dermatologists. I won’t do it again!