Anyone had a “blue light treatment” on their face to remove pre-ca?

I am sorry to hear this. I was suppose to start this treatment on my legs, 3 weeks ago. Today would have been my last day of treatment. I have hesitated to do so. I read more experiences of the pain involved, so I decided I will see my dermatologist again with more questions I have. Ultimately I do think the results outlay the uncomfortable and pain. Hang in there.

My dermatologist informed me I had "too many cancerous and precancerous lesions on my face and upper chest to even count" . She advised I do her blue light treatment after an application of a gel. The gel was painted on my face and upper chest first, then the blue photo light turned on for 14 minutes. This is the first time I have ever thought back on it as it was so painful both during and after, it was traumatic.

I have had four children, full term childbirths. The pain and agony from this treatment did not give me beautiful skin afterwards; and I begged for painkillers after the third day and got NONE or any sympathy whatsoever from the medical personnel.

I am a blue eyed blonde. Am not sure who invented this procedure but they obviously don't care how painful it is. I would rather go through 14 hours of labor before doing this again: at least with labor you get a beautiful reward and some sympathy regarding the pain involved.

I no longer do any cremes either. I did a complete "cream treatment" only three years prior to this. My face and upper chest literally turned into leather texture, broke open into bleeding, oozing and then crusting for more than "a week or so" I was told would happen. I could not go outside in the sun for two months due to pain and sensitivity, let alone the horrible scabbing and crusting. And that creme treatment was nearly as painful!

It has been 9 years since I have had ANY treatment. I tell the docs, you will not use one of those cold cryo devices on me nor will you put on cremes, blue lights. I make sure I get biopsies, even they leave a small scar, I do not care. It is so much less painful and faster.

Being aged does not mean I want to run about looking like a monster after these creme and light treatments. A biopsy heals faster and I know for SURE if it is or is not cancer. I would never face that blue light treatment again...unless they put me under first and for three weeks afterwards OR give me some pain medication to get through it. As it was I drank my way through this torture!! Never again.

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.

I’ve had the treatment several times. It stings but nothing I can’t deal with. The 48 hours of being indoors is the worst. I’ve had success and times where it hasn’t helped. Too much Florida sun hasn’t been good. Best wishes and hopes for all!

@kolshansky Hi ive heard people says PDT us un bearable I have alot of spots on legs Keratosis ive had Cryotherapy around 19 times which stings ive been told to get PDT but im terrified now lol

@nannieg
PDT, aka Blue light Therapy is not used for seborrheic keratoses. It’s used for precancerous actinic keratosis ( sun damage lesions )
Yes PDT in the past was very uncomfortable. Now with a new routine where after the Levulan is applied, you’re under the lamp right away for 30 minutes. It is minimally uncomfortable.

@captdave Hi im due to get the blue light treatments but terrified after reading on this ive had Cryotherapy 10 times that stings for a day then not do bad any tips on blue light treatments thanks

Hi ya! I’ve had the blue treatment several times with mixed results. I’m 69 and red/ blond. Living in Florida foe 59 years hasn’t helped. As I’ve said before the hardest part is the 48 hours being “caged” inside. It does sting a little and you will look a little sunburned. I was concerned the first time I tried but wasn’t a big deal. Please let me know how it goes @nannieg. Wishing you the best!!