Going for a "Blue Light Special"
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
November 8, 2017 6:57pm CST
Many fair-skinned people who have over-exposed themselves to the sun from childhood on help keep dermatologists in big homes and driving fine cars. I am one of those and have written about the sort of "ice cream headache" you feel when they shoot CO2 on little pre-cancerous spots that pop up on scalps and foreheads and ears. I have had that treatment twice yearly for years now.
But there is now something called a "Blue Light" treatment where they apply a chemical to face and scalp, you sit for a while and then they use the blue light to activate the the stuff. I need to stay out of bright light for about 40 hours after this treatment. With the clouds and rain we are getting all week, that won't be a problem. I am going in tomorrow at 9 AM and should be through within two hours.
This treatment is not dangerous, not painful (usually) either. It is nothing compared to what our friend @Asylum is going through next week with radiation treatment for very dangerous cancer.
16 people like this
15 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
9 Nov 17
I am very fortunate as far as the Sun is concerned. These days I find such weather difficult to tolerate, yet like most English people I have spent decades visiting hot climates and sunbathing without any lasting effects.
As for the discomfort of treatment, it is all relative. The fact that others may have harsher treatment does not reduce the discomfort experienced. In my case I expect the next few weeks to be easier than the past several months, which should make it seem more comfortable.
Noel Coward with Ray Noble & His Orchestra His Master's Voice B 4269 mx 0B4210-2 Recorded 20th September, 1932
7 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
9 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic Oh yes. There are no needles involved, which is my greatest fear with any treatment. My brother considers the forthcoming treatment to be worse than chemotherapy because of being physically restricted during the radiotherapy, but that is not likely to bother me a great deal.
4 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
Great! You sound like you are ready to get to it.
4 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
9 Nov 17
Tony has said over and over to people chemo is the worst evil to kill the demon, radiation was the easy part.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Nov 17
I'm sorry you have to go through these treatments.
I hope I never do since I'm also fair skinned.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
It is more of an inconvenience than anything. As long as I get them taken care of, I think they will stay manageable and not develop into something dangerous.
3 people like this
@MainerMikeBrown (1373)
• Bridgton, Maine
9 Nov 17
I'm a light skinned person who has had my share of sunburns, mostly when I was a kid and teenager. I hope it never leads to any form of skin cancer.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
I was raised in Texas and then spent high school years in southern California, going to the beach a lot. Most of the damage is done by the time we are 18, docs tell me.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
9 Nov 17
I've had skin cancer removed from the back of my neck twice now in the last twelve years. The dermatologist told me the first time...that's what you get for hours spent tanning...I told her...then you don't know me....I hate sitting in the sun to tan. It is too hot and I get bored....I don't sit and bake.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
9 Nov 17
then how did you get it if you didn't like sitting out in the sun to tan?
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
I never really liked just lying on the Pacific beach, but loved to body surf.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
9 Nov 17
@hereandthere I'm just one of the unlucky ones who is very fair skinned and as a result a bit more susceptible.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
9 Nov 17
I have had three froze off, one on my cheek bone twice, I almost passed out each time from pain but after a half hour no more pain just the blister.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
The freezing part never bothered me once it stops.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
9 Nov 17
I have had pre-cancerous spots removed, about three times. One by my upper lip, one on my hand, and one on my nose. They told me to come back, if I get any more.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
By all means do that. As long as they are treated, they are not problems.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
9 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic After having a few removed, they recommend that we keep watching, for any others.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502316)
• Italy
10 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic It's an annoying side effect, I hope it does not itch anymore today.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Nov 17
It was very hot for the first six of sixteen minutes under the light and my head and face is quite "sunburned" tonight. It itched and burned for a few hours after the treatment and will take some time to heal.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Nov 17
Well, what it is is like a bad sunburn, but not with UV light, so no permanent damage. My head is quite red tonight and will peel, an expected part of the treatment.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97991)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Nov 17
Well that sounds hopeful. Hope it all works out just fine for you.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Nov 17
Feels like a pretty bad sunburn so far today.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97991)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic hope it will all be alright.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Nov 17
@RasmaSandra I'm sure it will, the burn/peel is part of the process.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Nov 17
@pgntwo Yes it was and very hot under that light for the first six of sixteen minutes.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Nov 17
It is pretty commonplace now. I read some things about it on the Mayo Clinic site.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43581)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Nov 17
Hope this new procedure works for you.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
Yes, it would be nice to smooth things out for a longer time.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
10 Nov 17
Ah - I am happy that you get it taken care of before it's an issue.
Hope Asylum is alright
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Nov 17
Yes, I am glad (I think) that I had this done. My head and face feel and look quite sunburned today and skin is very tight.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Nov 17
@FayeHazel I think so. My face and head are not as painful to touch today, using lots of moisturizer, and the peeling has begun. Man, I am one ugly looking guy this week.
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
12 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic SOunds painful, but good that you had it done all the same
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
The problem is more of an irritant than anything, no problem as long as treated.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Nov 17
Thanks, I don't expect any complications, ( we never do though, do we?).
1 person likes this
