Skin Cancer Prevention - PDT (Photodynamic Therapy)

In this video, Tiffany takes us along her journey through PDT or photodynamic therapy. PDT is a preventative treatment used for actinic keratosis (precancerous cells). PDT uses light therapy (mostly lasers) to destroy those cells and regenerate new healthy cells. Tiffany documents the before, during, and after her treatment.
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This Video Content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The Video Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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[@SarahDart-y8d]

thank you for sharing you are very brave - I started today and youve given my courage!

[@kathystclair9485]

Why would your doctor not put you on 5FU cream? I have done that twice and it did the job. Your skin looked so fresh and beautiful afterwards. This should be a warning to everyone to always wear a high SPF every day! I don't go anywhere without it.

[@nathanandtiffany]

I have done a round of Efudex when I was young. It got the job done. I would do it again on my body if needed for sure. Thanks for the kind words. Yes friend wear sunblock!

[@DecFirefly1210]

I would never use Efudex in my face. Treatment goes on far too long and Ii’s just too much. I’ve done PDT many times using light therapy only. I’ve also had similar experiences but never yeast. I’m way over due since my last treatment was 2018 and it’s obvious. No scaling because I exfoliate every other day, but the red splotches are out of control.

[@nathanandtiffany]

@@DecFirefly1210 I would really hate to do Efudex on my face too. Good luck. The yeast was terrible. I had never had that either. I hope to never again. Good luck.

[@DecFirefly1210]

@@nathanandtiffany Thanks, can’t get PDT until fall so I’m going to do a TCA peel and try to get a little improvement for the summer.

[@BabyGrlTina34]

I've done efudex and PDT with Levulan... Efudex did SOOO MUCH more for my skin vs PDT. Thanks for sharing your story! My journey is on here too. Best wishes & soft hugs!

[@Weirtoe]

Thank you, I'm on day 5 of my first treatment of pdt red light on my arms, wrists to shoulder. Sheeesh. I can't imagine on my face, but that's too come for me. I just read this, thought you might be interested.. What is the difference between red light and blue light photodynamic therapy? Blue and red light are different types of light. The difference between these lights are depth of penetration on the skin. Blue light is a kind of light only penetrates the skin about 0.5mm, while red light penetrates about 2 to 3mm. Depending on the physician's clinical evaluation, he or she may determine that 0.5mm is enough or feel that a deeper treatment with photodynamic therapy would be beneficial.

[@nathanandtiffany]

Thank you. Hope you recover quickly

[@mombythec]

Could you use alcohol instead of acetone? It seems like it should work as well? Thanks for sharing how this works, I just had 2 lesions biopsied and one is BCC and now I'm freaking out because I have hundreds of random lesions all over. I'm a beach baby who never knew sunscreen existed until my teens after so many burns!!

[@nathanandtiffany]

@@mombythec you would definitely want to ask your provider. Certainly, it’s a drying, but not as drying as acetone.

[@DebbieScranton]

Thank you for that video. I am going in tomorrow afternoon for my first treatment, and I hope that mine will not be as bad as yours. But I'm fair, blonde, blue eyed, and have sensitive skin. I also had MOHS surgery for basal cell cancer this year, so I am taking the advice of my dermatologist very seriously. Probably shouldn't be doing this in summer, as I am a very active outdoor person. Will be almost impossible to stay out of the sun even bundled up.

[@nathanandtiffany]

I hope you have an easy recovery and a fantastic outcome. Good luck.

[@hk1449]

What a kind and generous video youve created . Thank you very much .. 🐑🐑🐑🐑

[@nathanandtiffany]

What a kind and generous comment. Thank you!

[@cooltemperategardeninginca3288]

Thanks for sharing. Fantastic explanations ❤️

[@michellesimon1603]

My doctor recommended Aquaphor. It reduced the scaling, itching, and burn. It works fantastic.

[@nathanandtiffany]

That is a good product too.

[@betsyemanuel]

Thank you for sharing. Very helpful.

[@nathanandtiffany]

You are so welcome!

[@alasdaircross7174]

Thanks so much for your courage and persistence in filming the daily updates. You look amazing! I have some actinic keratoses on my face and am weighing up whether to do the 28 day Flurouracil 5% regime or the PDT instead....

[@nathanandtiffany]

@@alasdaircross7174 I have done both. In my opinion I prefer the PDT. Do share with the page what you decide and your experience. Thank you for the kind words.

[@marlyndataylor2925]

Amazing courage and will power to do exactly what your doctor advised. Your skin looks like new skin. Bravo for your commitment. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@nathanandtiffany]

Thanks so much for your kind words.

[@tiffanyhumphrey2080]

I can’t seem to find that spf you mentioned that has the redness reducer in it. I just had PDT done 5 days ago but I didn’t have much swelling . I do have a lot of redness though so I’d be interested in the pricey spf. Thank you!

[@nathanandtiffany]

No problem. This is what I use. Dr Jart cicapair color correcting treatment spf 30

[@skiier551]

Its a rough treatment, but if you know what to expect, it's easier to plow through the process. Thanks

[@nathanandtiffany]

You are very welcome!

[@eliser9776]

But in the dark? Like close all the shades? Do you need black our shades? definitely looks amazing at the end. Worth it!

[@nathanandtiffany]

I make it pretty dark. Not so dark I can’t see. That way I don’t have to turn on lights. It is just for a couple days. I don’t know how people in the Arctic Circle do it for the whole winter it would be really hard. Thanks so much. Kind of you to say.

[@suzannevilleneuve2623]

It is encouraging to see that there are beautiful results to come. I had mine done 2 days ago and it's really horrible for me too the side effects

[@nathanandtiffany]

It will get better. Good luck.

[@jenf6489]

How are you doing?

[@racheld2412]

Hi, I go in today for my PDT session at the Derm. How are you doing now that it's been over a week? Thx

[@ineslogemann2056]

THANK YOU

[@Mont_Blanc_Photography]

Really informative thanks. I heard you saying you get this done every year...is that correct? I thought once PDT had been done that it would take off the damaged cells and therefore remove the risk once and for all?

[@nathanandtiffany]

She wants me to do it annually but I really end up doing like every other year. This is more preventative than for treatment.

[@RealityTrailers]

Put cansema on the suspected skin area, cover bandage and leave alone for 6-8 hrs. Remove bandage and if the skin area is now white in color, then it was cancer and is now dead. Alpha Omega Labs is where I bought my cansema over 10 years ago. It can last a long time, depending on how much you use.

[@nathanandtiffany]

@@RealityTrailers interesting. I will have to look into that.

[@jimw6601]

Thank you so much. This was terrific. I just learned yesterday that I should undergo PDT. After watching your video ... I think I can, I think I can ... do it! Btw, your video was very enjoyable to watch and your comments were so well spoken. Thanks again

[@nathanandtiffany]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words. Good luck!

[@kerrygaynor5280]

Wow! You are a trooper! I would have been in tears! You look great and smart..I know I need this.😢

[@nathanandtiffany]

Thank for the kind words. Good luck if you choose to have it done!

[@PeteHob]

Couldn’t help but notice in one video, perhaps the first, that you completely avoided talking about how painful the first couple of days were. Comments were disabled so couldn’t ask. I realize people don’t like to scare potential patients but I for one want to be fully informed before

[@nathanandtiffany]

I only have this one video on this particular topic. So perhaps that was another person you were watching. It is uncomfortable for sure. I personally would not say it is painful in most of my historical treatments. This one was more so than some in my past. I think it depends very much on the provider and how they implement (aka how aggressive) the treatment. Good luck.

[@PeteHob]

@@nathanandtiffany sorry, you resemble another video. I had just watched. Hope you are well.

[@leemccrystal5760]

Thanks so much ! I am on day 8 and still struggling with redness . I also developed a 'pustular response' to make matters worse as I am a blonde with very fair skin. I had a very painful experience and my lips were covered in blisters :(

[@nathanandtiffany]

Oh my. That sounds terrible. Hopefully you will feel better soon!

[@BowenAubrey-v9b]

Jones Brian Thomas Brenda Robinson Susan

[@tracycole2186]

Great video coverage and very informative! Have an appointment today for possible photodynamic blue light therapy. A little nervous. Do you know if the healing process is similar to the Fractional Co2 Laser? I have only 2 weeks of down time.

[@nathanandtiffany]

I have never done the fractional CO2 laser. For me the down time for this has varied wildly from one time to the next. I for sure have never looked terrible for more than 2 weeks. Good luck.

[@taramariolis6467]

Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience, I found it very helpful. I would like to get PDT as I have had AK and basal cell on my face several times. I've needed a graft, MOHs-I don't want to go through that again. May I ask where you got treated, my dermatologist has not recommended PDT and it seems very few doctors use it around here? Thanks so much, Tara

[@nathanandtiffany]

I am so glad it was helpful for you. I see Dr. Tiffani Hamilton in Alpharetta Georgia.

[@taramariolis6467]

@@nathanandtiffany I live in MA. But thanks for her name! Wishing you continued luck with your skin!

[@JanaBailey-ff7uf]

Thank you! Very informative in preparing me for my soon to be 1st treatment.

[@nathanandtiffany]

You are welcome. So glad that was helpful for you.

[@swatisagar7439]

Greenfelder Lodge

[@GoldenBrownAndYellow]

I found this video because I’m struggling with actinic keratosis. I tried 5-flourouracil and I got very sick and couldn’t go to work. I have so many spots on my body that I would die from the cream if that’s my only option,

[@nathanandtiffany]

That sounds terrible.

[@jannnicholson4083]

Well done a great result.

[@nathanandtiffany]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@IDNHANTU2day]

I wish I knew what the medicine in the little tube is. I am hard of hearing and even with my hearing aids, I can't tell what you said. The captions settings don't work either and the letter on the tube are too small and reversed. Please let me know. Thank you.

[@nathanandtiffany]

The two medications available are Levulan and Ameluz. I was using Ameluz

[@lilyrose1581]

Can't wait until they finally use this for hair removal by implementing the use of liposomes to deliver the photosensitizer like methylene blue so it actually targets the root: the dermal papilla. Because it's something that's made it to human trials and had amazing results but for some reason disappeared but has resurfaced like it never existed and is something new that they're looking into which makes no sense

[@nathanandtiffany]

Interesting! I have not heard of this.

[@LITTLEGIRL1-ir9uk]

Thank you for a very good explanation of what to expect, I was not given a really good review and had to revert to UTube. So, thank you, you have really helped me have hope that I will return to normal

[@nathanandtiffany]

@@LITTLEGIRL1-ir9uk You are very welcome. I am so pleased it was helpful for you.

[@heatherhansen3781]

Just had mine done yesterday. I look like I have a sunburn and I'm puffy. For anyone who has had it done, do you know normally how long before the puffiness goes away?

[@nathanandtiffany]

Mine is like 4 days

[@angelahall4402]

Do you reccomend this in the winter or summer? I think winter would be better. I need to do it. I have the Efudex and i am currently treating a cancer spot that was removed to kill the precancerous tissue that may have remained.

[@nathanandtiffany]

I recommend to actually do this in the fall. Basically what I do is I go for my skin check after the summer when I’ve had the most UV exposure even though I try very hard not to do that. And then I have my treatment usually in September or October. But if I had to choose between summer and winter, I would certainly choose Winter. Because you don’t want to have a lot of UV exposure after this treatment

[@mysticalmaiden]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nathanandtiffany]

You are so welcome.

[@davidfillmore3151]

Thank you. I'm considering the pdt treatments and your video was very real and honest. you are brave and I'm not sure I can do it or not.

[@nathanandtiffany]

It has been worth it for me but it can be uncomfortable for sure. Good luck. Share your experience here if you desire to do it.

[@valenciac6713]

Im doing this soon. Thank you for sharing. They are using levulan on me. Are you supposed to use Vaseline after? For how long? I havent been told much fallow up info. Even house lights and TV off? Thank you for info. Grateful Valencia

[@nathanandtiffany]

You are so welcome. I use Aquaphor and cerave moisturizing cream over Vaseline but ask your dermatologist for more direction.

[@zivschwartz9082]

Usually pdt is just blue light, you mentioned they used 3 lasers. Can you share which lasers were used?

[@nathanandtiffany]

I am sorry I don’t know the names. My dermatologist chooses them.

[@emb74]

Did they say why you had yeast colonization? I would think the vinegar wash would help prevent that.

[@nathanandtiffany]

From the skin trauma. I think the vinegar was keeping it from getting worse, but it just wasn’t quite strong enough to make it go away.

[@katiemason6165]

So helpful thank you! You are so beautiful! As a fellow redhead I struggle with finding eyebrow products! Would love to hear what you like!

[@nathanandtiffany]

That is so kind of you! I actually tint my eyebrows and lashes most of the time at home from a company from Germany called Augenblick. When I don’t use that I use a brow pomade by Anastasia in the color caramel.

[@ilahcavanaugh6365]

Thank you for this video. I am recovering from my first red light treatment with amyluz, unfortunately I have a nasty case of this yeast colonization as well, if you don’t mind me asking, did you take 200 or 400 mg per day? Did you use any over the counter topical just on the sites affected? Thank you!!

[@nathanandtiffany]

Oh gosh I don’t remember the dose. I didn’t use any other over-the-counter medication. Just the cerave 0:02 and the bleach and water washes that my dermatologist recommended.

[@ilahcavanaugh6365]

@@nathanandtiffany thank you for your reply! May I ask What the bleach and water ratio looked like? I’m sorry to prove but your video really helped me from totally freaking out because the yeast was really bad for me, Diflucan is helping a lot but I’ll do whatever I can to speed the recovery!

[@nathanandtiffany]

@@ilahcavanaugh6365 Oh I forget the exact ratio. I think I give it in the video. I just don’t want to say it incorrectly.

[@MamaHarriet]

Thank you!

[@jenf6489]

Can they do this on your chest or arms? I’ve already had numerous squamous cell cut away from those additional body parts as well as 4 on my face and the two mohs surgeries. I’d like to get it all at once?

[@nathanandtiffany]

I think I mention in the video some of the meds are approved for use on other areas of the body. This particular one I believe is only approved for the face. there is also blue light therapy for arm, chest, etc. Talk to your dermatologist about options they recommend and offer.

[@shirleyreiss2955]

Thank you so much for the shareing. You explained so many points that I needed as this is my first time. Sure has been a great education.

[@gingerengels3659]

I'm terrified now! I thought this would be a one time treatment? If it works, then why multiple treatments?

[@nathanandtiffany]

@@gingerengels3659 because you continue to expose your skin to uv rays. You get older etc.

[@cooltemperategardeninginca3288]

I’ve had a few Mohs surgeries for BCCs and I also have Bowens disease (baby SCCs) over my body. I’ve previously used Efudix and aldara as chemotherapy creams but am currently using a new compounded cream (Efudix mixed with vitamin D) to treat my entire body. It’s so much better than the previous two creams because it only needs to be used for a few days (4 days for face/chest and 6 days for arms/legs). Maybe you could ask your dermatologist if this compounded cream is suitable for your chest and arms. Best of luck to you ❤️

[@sandyleclair7223]

thx for sharing!!!

[@nathanandtiffany]

You are welcome!

[@cryptohook9395]

Helpful!

[@nathanandtiffany]

So glad

[@brianneyardley4208]

Thank you for sharing! I just had Metvix DL (daylight) treatment and had a very intense response. Your video helped me a lot! Have you ever done Metvix DL?

[@nathanandtiffany]

I am not sure if that is the same as one I had years ago. It may be. Good luck with a fast recovery.