Does blue light therapy really cure acne?
There is some evidence that blue light therapy can help treat acne or prevent an outbreak. However, research has not yet confirmed that it is very useful or better than topical retinoids and other treatments. Blue light also appears to be safe, with only mild adverse effects.
How to get rid of acne with blue light therapy?
- Light therapy. The redness and swelling that can occur with acne is caused by a type of bacteria that can be killed by exposing your skin to different types of ...
- Steroid injections. ...
- Chemical peels. ...
- Drainage and extraction. ...
What is the best light therapy for acne?
- How does Blue Light Therapy Work?
- Where Can You Get Blue Light Therapy? 1. Project E Beauty Light Photon LED Therapy Bacteria Killing Improve Sensitive Skin Rechargeable Beauty Device 2. ...
- The effectiveness of Blue Light Therapy For Acne Reduction
- Final Thoughts
Does light therapy for acne really work?
When it comes to acne, a review of research in the March–April 2017 issue of Clinics in Dermatology noted that both red and blue light therapy for acne reduced blemishes by 46 to 76 percent after 4 to 12 weeks of treatment.
How do you use blue light treatment?
After letting the drug soak into your skin for an hour or two, the dermatologist shines blue light onto the treated skin for about 15 minutes. The light kills the cells that absorbed the sensitizing medication. Following the treatment, the damaged skin flakes off, leaving healthier, younger-looking skin behind.
What should I put on my face after blue light treatment?
Use a clean towel to pat your skin dry and avoid rubbing the area. Then, apply a moisturizer (such as Cetaphil, Lubriderm®, Aquaphor®, or Vaseline®) to the area to keep your skin moist.
Should I wash my face after blue light therapy?
Shower and wash the area immediately and as often as needed. Gently wash the area with soap and water two to three times a day, and apply Aquaphor or Vaseline to the area. Avoidance of harsh or abrasive cleansers is advised. Picking or scrubbing the skin could cause severe irritation or scarring.
What does skin look like after blue light treatment?
The treated area of the skin is usually quite red and may appear to be flaking or peeling, as it would after a mild sunburn. The redness, and perhaps some of the flaking, can last for several days to a week or even two weeks. (After that, skin returns to normal.) The area will also be more sensitive to light, so Dr.
What Is Blue Light Therapy?
Blue light therapy is a branch of alternative medicine that uses natural blue or violet light to cure, treat or prevent unwanted health issues incl...
What Blue Light Therapy Is not.
It is important to repeat that blue light therapy uses the natural power and qualities of light for its effectiveness. If some chemical is applied...
The Benefits of Blue Light Therapy
Blue light benefits you in at least three major ways: 1. It kills bad bacteria. 2. It helps regulate mood and circadian rhythms. 3. It supports you...
How to Put Blue Light Therapy to Work For You
The most popular use of blue light therapy today is for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Blue light kills acne bacteria quickly...
The Wavelengths of Blue Light Therapy & Why They Matter to You
We all have a handful of names for whatever shade of blue we see. For example, we might see a color and say it’s “violet”, “navy blue”, “sky blue”,...
How to Find The Blue Light You Need at A Price You Can Afford
We specialize in blue light therapy, but ours are not the only blue light therapy products out there. Light is light. The type or brand of device d...
How does blue light therapy work for acne
Blue light therapy is aimed at treating acne and comedones, as it fights one of the most common causes of rashes — the bacterium Propionibacterium acne (it lives in blocked pores and feeds on the fatty acids of sebum).
How effective is blue light therapy for acne? Based on scientific research
Blue light is already actively used to treat acne. This has become a reality thanks to numerous studies of the effects of light therapy, proving its effectiveness. Below we review the results of some of these studies.
Top-3 blue light therapy devices for acne
Previously, light therapy treatments for acne could only be done in salons, but now many brands offer lighting fixtures for home use. Their advantage is that home devices can be used every day, and the cost is much lower compared to procedures in salons.
Potential risks and side effects of blue light therapy
Light therapy has been well studied and is considered safe. When used correctly, blue light therapy does not produce serious long-term effects.
Summary
The benefits of light therapy are widely recognized in modern medicine, including in the treatment of problem skin.
How long does it take to get blue light for acne?
Blue light acne treatment is administered via a blue light delivery system. The procedure simply involves a patient sitting in front of a blue light lamp for about 15 minutes. Generally 2 sessions per week over a 4-week period is all that is required.
What wavelength is blue light?
Blue light acne treatment is a non- invasive procedure that uses light in the blue wavelength range of 405-420 nm to kill the Propionobacterium acnes or P. acnes bacteria in skin. This photodynamic therapy is FDA-approved for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris or acne vulgaris that has not responded to other acne therapies.
What happens when acne is released?
The bacteria in acne release porphyrins. These are naturally occurring substances in the body, arising during the synthesis of of haem in red blood cells. When porphyrins absorb light of certain wavelengths, free radical damage is produced, and this destroys the bacteria.
Can you use blue light for acne?
The number of treatments depends on the severity of acne and improvements seen. Blue light acne treatment is available from a dermatologist and the procedure performed in their rooms . Although blue light delivery systems can be purchased and self-administered at home, a dermatologist should oversee its use.
Does blue light help with acne?
Several small studies have shown that blue light acne treatment appears to improve acne vulgaris with a reduction in inflammation and the number of pustules and papules in some individuals. In one study, nodulocystic acne lesions worsened when treated with blue light.
What is the peak output of a blue acne light?
Above is an SED Curve of a fluorescent blue acne light. You can see the peak output of the light is 417 nm , but there is also considerable non-peak light output that stretches into the UVA, and even a little UVB is present. Here is another example: This one is an LED blue acne light, our Peak 415™.
How long should I use blue light therapy?
Ideally, getting outside in the broad daylight for 20 minutes in the mornings is best.
What are some examples of light therapy?
Consider the following two examples from the field of light therapy to drive home this point: 1 Blue light therapy for Neonatal Jaundice: Around the globe, newborn babies are treated for jaundice every day using blue light. This is shone on the most delicate and tender example of human skin, and yet no side effects occur. 2 Blue light therapy for Crigler Najjar Syndrome: Patients with Crigler Najjar Syndrome need to spend extended amounts of time under blue light every day, for life. However, despite the quantity of hours spent under blue light on a daily basis (typically 10 hours or more), no long term side effects are reported.
What wavelength of light kills bacteria?
So, for example, when you’re trying to kill acne or MRSA bacteria, wavelengths down near the violet end, such as 405 nm or 415 nm, would kill more bacteria and require a shorter treatment time than wavelengths like 450 nm or 470 nm.
What wavelength is blue light?
Blue Light Wavelengths and Relative UV (Ultraviolet) Content. Because of the wave-like nature of light, if a blue light therapy product peaks around 420 nm or below, it is going to also have a certain amount of UV in it.
Does blue light help with jaundice?
Blue light therapy for Neonatal Jaundice: Around the globe, newborn babies are treated for jaundice every day using blue light. This is shone on the most delicate and tender example of human skin, and yet no side effects occur.
Is blue light therapy the same as photodynamic therapy?
What Blue Light Therapy is NOT. It is important to repeat that blue light therapy uses the natural power and qualities of light for its effectiveness. If some chemical is applied or ingested to make it work, that is no longer blue light therapy, that is called photodynamic therapy. The two are NOT the same.
What is blue light therapy?
Blue light therapy uses light to treat certain conditions on or just under the skin. It’s considered a pain-free procedure. Blue light therapy becomes photodynamic therapy when it uses a combination of photosynthesizing (or light-sensitive) drugs and a high-intensity light source to activate them. The light used is a natural violet ...
How many treatments does blue light therapy have?
To treat a condition, it takes: one to four treatments for actinic keratosis (precancerous sun spots), with annual maintenance.
What is photodynamic therapy?
Photodynamic therapy can be used to treat skin cancer. It causes the photosynthesizing drug that’s been applied to the skin to react with oxygen, killing the cancer cells. It may also be used to trigger an immune system defense or damage the blood vessels feeding the cancer cells.
How long does it take for a skin peel to heal?
The treated area may crust over or peel, but this is considered normal. Most people heal within 7 days, and the crusting resolves within 3 to 14 days. If light-sensitive drugs are used for photodynamic therapy, as is the case in most cases, your skin will be very sensitive to light for several weeks after the procedure.
Why isn't sunscreen good for you?
Sunscreens won’t be effective, because they protect from UV light and not photosensitivity reactions. When used properly, there are no significant long-term side effects of blue light therapy treatment. It’s much less invasive than surgery, and there’s usually either little or no scarring after the treated site heals.
How long does it take to get light therapy?
Treatment sessions can be anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes long, depending on the area being treated, how large it is, and if a topical medication has been applied.
Can you get blue light therapy if you have a blister?
The biggest risk is for a potential skin infection if any post-treatment blisters occur and are popped or not cared for. You shouldn’t have blue light therapy if you have a rare condition called porphyria, which is a disorder of the blood that leads to heightened light sensitivity, or if you have allergies to porphyrins.
What Is Light Therapy?
Light therapy (also known as LED therapy or phototherapy) is a simple, noninvasive treatment for acne and other skin conditions. Check out this What Is Light Therapy article for a full breakdown.
LED Acne Treatments: Blue or Red Light Therapy?
Blue light and red light are the most common wavelengths used to treat acne, and they both have positive effects on acne and skin. Research is showing that light therapy may be most effective for acne when red and blue light therapy are used together.
How Does Light Therapy Work for Acne?
This post goes into detail about how light therapy works for skin and skin healing. Blue light therapy works by killing the harmful bacteria that gathers on the skin and causes acne. Red light therapy works by reducing inflammation, rejuvenating skin, and diminishing scarring on the skin. [1,2,6,9]
Where To Do Light Therapy Treatments for Acne
Light therapy acne treatments are widely available in both professional and at-home settings. Phototherapy has become a very common and popular acne treatment among dermatologists [15].
Light Therapy vs. Other Acne Treatments
Over 50 million people have acne concerns in the United States alone. Thousands of different products exist to treat acne, including prescription drugs, topical medications, and beauty products like washes and peels.
Chemical Peels vs. Light Therapy for Teenagers with Acne
Research has shown that LED light therapy is more effective against acne than certain chemical peels. [8] A 2017 trial with teenagers compared light therapy acne spot treatments with salicylic acid peels.
Risks and Side Effects of Light Therapy Treatments
In clinical settings, light therapy acne treatments have proven to be generally safe and well-tolerated. [1,3,10] The simple, noninvasive nature of light therapy is one of the reasons it has become such a popular acne treatment, especially when compared with some acne medications and chemical peels that can cause major side effects.
What is blue light treatment?
Blue light treatment for skin cancer. Blue light treatment is most often used as part of a treatment called photodynamic therapy . This therapy can treat some kinds of skin cancer and precancerous spots known as actinic keratoses. These reddish, scaly patches are caused by severe sun damage.
How does blue light affect skin?
However, blue light does have some side effects when it’s used with a photosensitizer as part of photodynamic therapy for skin cancer or sun damage: 1 Irritation: After treatment, your skin will probably be red and may feel slightly burned, like a sunburn. “You can apply a cool compress and use gentle moisturizing creams to help with the discomfort,” Dr. Benedetto advises. 2 Sun sensitivity: Your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight for two or three days, so skip the beach and rock your biggest hat. “It’s important to be really good about using sunscreen,” Dr. Benedetto says. 3 Peeling: Over the next week or so, the treated areas will flake or crust over, then peel away. You might feel a little like a lizard, but that peeling is a good thing: It leaves behind fresher, healthier skin.
Why is my skin so sensitive to blue light?
acnes, which lives on your skin. And P. acnes just so happens to emit its own photosensitizer, which makes it sensitive to blue wavelengths of light.
How long does it take for skin to be sensitive to the sun?
Sun sensitivity: Your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight for two or three days, so skip the beach and rock your biggest hat. “It’s important to be really good about using sunscreen,” Dr. Benedetto says. Peeling: Over the next week or so, the treated areas will flake or crust over, then peel away.
Is blue light good for skin cancer?
For patients with many years of sun damage, blue light can be a great tool for reducing skin cancer risk and improving the look of your skin — and that should leave you feeling anything but blue. Advertising Policy.
Can a dermatologist help with acne?
Dermatologists can steer you toward the acne treatments that are most likely to work for you. If blue light is a good option, the devices in the doctor’s office are more powerful than those you can buy for at-home use.
Can I buy blue light for acne?
It’s possible to buy blue light devices to treat acne at home. But they may not be worth the investment. “I’d recommend having a dermatologist do it,” Dr. Benedetto says. Advertising Policy. And because not everyone’s acne responds to blue light, purchasing a device might be a waste of time and money.
What light therapy is used to treat acne?
Light therapy devices normally use a combination of red + blue light , and work by killing acne bacteria, reducing skin oil production, and calming inflammation. Light therapy can be performed:
What light is used for acne?
Blue Light. Blue light has historically been the most commonly used light for the treatment of acne, although doctors now tend to prefer a combination of blue + red light. Blue light covers the spectrum from 407 to 420 nm.
What is the procedure called when you put a photo on your skin?
Doctors can also perform a procedure called photodynamic therapy , which involves topically applying a photosensitizer to the skin and "incubating" the skin before light is shone. This tends to produce better results, but also comes with more side effects. You can read more about photodynamic therapy here .
How does light penetrate skin?
When light is shone on the skin, it penetrates through various skin layers where it may help: Kill some bacteria: Acne is in part a bacterial disease. Reduce skin oil (sebum) production: Less skin oil normally means less acne. Calm inflammation: Acne is at its core an inflammatory disease.
How long does it take to light a skin?
Drawbacks include incomplete, temporary, and often poor results, and difficulty in application--it can take 10-60 minutes a day to treat the skin with light.
What color light penetrates deep into the skin?
The wavelength of light determines how deeply light can penetrate the skin, with violet and blue light penetrating only into shallow layers of the skin and red light penetrating into the deepest layers of the skin. Red, blue, or a combination of red and blue light can be used to treat acne. Typically, a combination is used.
Does blue light kill acne?
While blue light works by killing acne bacteria, red light penetrates more deeply into the skin and reduces the production of inflammatory molecules that contribute to the formation of acne. 11
Introduction
- Blue light acne treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses light in the blue wavelength range of 405-420 nm to kill the Propionobacterium acnes or P. acnes bacteria in skin. This photodynamic therapy is FDA-approved for the treatment of moderate acne vulgarisor acne vulgaris that has not responded to other acne therapies.
How Does It Work?
- The bacteria in acne release porphyrins. These are naturally occurring substances in the body, arising during the synthesis of of haem in red blood cells. When porphyrins absorb light of certain wavelengths, free radicaldamage is produced, and this destroys the bacteria. Blue light acne treatment uses a narrow-band, high-intensity blue light source that is readily absorbed by porphy…
What Does The Procedure involve?
- Blue light acne treatment is administered via a blue light delivery system. The procedure simply involves a patient sitting in front of a blue light lamp for about 15 minutes. Generally 2 sessions per week over a 4-week period is all that is required. Pre-treatment with ALA requires the topical application of ALA 30 minutes prior to sitting in fron...
How Effective Is It?
- Several small studies have shown that blue light acne treatment appears to improve acne vulgaris with a reduction in inflammation and the number of pustules and papulesin some individuals. In one study, nodulocystic acne lesions worsened when treated with blue light. Further large, controlled studies are needed to prove their efficacyand long-term effects. Other treatments for …
Are There Any Side Effects?
- Side effects are generally minor and include: 1. Swelling of the treated areas and dryness 2. Temporary pigmentchanges