Hi everyone, I have an appointment with a clinic that can do photodynamic therapy (PDT), it's not until the 21st of August.
But the problem I have is that the dermatologist doesn't know how to treat KP using PDT. I have read that it definitely can treat KP so I will know more about it than the person treating me!!! The only problem is I don't know exactly which light to use, there is either red, blue or IPL & I don't know the right photosensitiser (topical lotion applied prior to the light) it's quite specialised & really expensive so I would rather get it right. I'm thinking red light, as it is supposed to be able to go through to mid dermis where the sebaceuos glands are located & I'll probably use what topical they have but I hope it is Levulan. I've tried emailing the dermatologists that can provide me with this information but since I am in NZ I guess they don't really care to let that information go. So please if the dermatologist near you offers PDT please can you ask them what laser & which topical they would use on you & also whether they would do micro-dermabrasion first, how often & how long the treatments would be? I think one or two will be all that is required.
Any information you can provide would be great, please let me know & I will pay for the treatment & try it out for us all.
Thanks

It is not going to help. It was designed to treat acne which is basically the opposite of KP. You may see a temporary benefit from skin sluffing(burning) but your KP will be back in no time. Don't waste your money.

I respect your opinion & appreciate you posting but if you have any more info to back up your belief that would be helpful. Have you tried it or know of anyone who has? Yes you are right it is used to treat acne but this was kind of a secondary use, it was originally designed to remove cancer. I've heard that KP is kind of a build up of keratin & our bodies don't process it normally I kind of hoped that the PDT would target the cells overproducing this?...
The other thing I would love to try is Vibra-derm but there is no access to this in NZ have you tried this? It's like micro-dermabrasion.

Hi, I am new to this forum. I have had KP for over 24 years and tried thousands of dollars in products and other things. I had something done on my arms like micro-dermabrasion. They used mini crystal like things in a tube and it rotates around. (This was at the dermatologists office) Very finely, exfoliating your skin. I don't want to be negative, but it was a temporary fix for me. It was irritating and my arms burned. I told the doctor I couldn't afford to do this on my whole body so he told me to use sand paper at home. Never, ever do this!!!! Sand paper doesn't feel like it is doing much in the shower, while wet, but when you get out the pain sets in. My skin was smooth at first, red, but smooth. The scabs came later and lasted a coupld of weeks. I have had peals too. They work and make the skin smooth, redness didn't go away and then it (the bumps ) came back. Good luck with whatever you do. I just wanted to let you know what my experience was.

I appreciate your posts - thanks guys - I'm just such a sucker & don't they know it :-)