Clearlight treatment appointment

Back in May, I consulted with a dermatologist who offers the
Clearlight treatment (Below, I include the newsgroup posting that I
made after that appointment). Well, I finally decided to give it a
try. My first treatment will be on Sept. 30 and there will be 8
treatments over a one month period.

It's going to set me back $800. But if it works, it's worth it.

I will let people know how it goes during the treament and then
provide updates over the following months (it's supposed to have an
effect that lasts months... we'll see).


Here is my posting about the consultation appointment:


I went to dermatologist in San Francisco to discuss the blue light
treatment. I didn't try it yet, I just asked questions and got the
information, disclaimers, cost and sales pitch.

He says it works very well for people with minor to moderate acne,
less well for people who have severe acne.

He noted that there are some people for whom this treatment will just
not work, regardless of the level of acne. You don't know if you're
one of those people until you try it.

He uses the ClearLight machine (by CureLight
http://www.curelight.com/). Basically, he gives you a course of 8
treatments over a 1 month period (2 treatments per week). After that,
it should keep you clear for several months, up to 7 months. When its
effectiveness wears off, you get another course or possibly delay the
next course by using topicals. He says most of his clients get one or
two courses per year.

A particular course (the 8 treatments over 1 month) costs about $800.
It could cost more if he needs to use Levulan in the last 2 treatments
to enhance the effect.

He uses the SmoothBeam treatment as well, but not for the face. He
uses SmoothBeam for the back only. He says SmoothBeam actually heats
the skin, whereas ClearLight supposedly does not. With ClearLight,
there is no irritation, redness or swelling, according to the doctor
(and the web site).

Right now I am on Zithromax and it seems to be working. Eventually
that will lose steam, and I may consider the blue light treatment at
that point.