Acne Treatments With Lights

Acne at any age can be difficult to manage. It is tough to find the right combination of cleansers, toners, creams, lotions and topical treatments that don't exacerbate the problem. Left to your own devices, you can assemble quite a mess of products that may not actually help your skin looks its best. Light therapies are a new method of treating acne that are much less messy and may be more effective.

Significance

Because light therapy is considered a procedure, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require the same stringent process as it does for drugs. As a result, there are only limited studies available to support the use of light therapy. However, the Mayo Clinic refers to these studies as promising in terms of the potential to manage acne in both adults and children.

Potential

The concept behind these therapies is the way in which the light therapy can penetrate deep into the skin. The therapies seek to manage the amount of oil that is produced at the base of the hair follicle. An over prodution of oil or dead skin cells is the most common cause of acne. By penetrating to the source of the oil production, the light therapies can minimize the production of oil and dead skin cells and stop the clogging of your pores. The therapies also focus on the bacteria that can cause acne, minimizing its presence on your skin.

Types

There are three main types of laser light treatment for acne. Blue light therapy focuses on destroying the bacteria that causes acne. It requires ongoing treatment to keep the bacteria at bay. Pulsed light and heat therapy not only destroys the bacteria that causes acne, it also shrinks the oil glands in the skin. Diode therapy destroys the oil glands and penetrates the deepest into the skin. This type of therapy can be painful, though pain is managed by a topical numbing cream applied before treatment.

Effects

All of these therapies lead to smoother, younger skin and minimal acne flare-ups assuming you follow up as appropriate. Blue light therapy can also cause temporary dryness and redness in the area of application. Pulsed light therapy also has a side effect of redness in the affected area. Diode therapy's side effects include not only redness, but also the potential for swelling in the areas affected.

Warning

Since this type of therapy is not fully studied, it the long-term side effects are not clear. Additionally, light therapy is typically not covered by insurance and can be expensive. Most patients are prescribed light therapy once other, traditional medications have not been effective for their condition.