How to Use LED Blue & Red Light for Acne

Acne is a skin disorder characterized by blemishes that appear usually on the face, but sometimes on the back and other parts of the body. It is caused by dead skin cells or other materials clogging hair follicles and trapping oil and bacteria inside. Heredity, hormones, overactive sebaceous glands and inflammation of the skin all can influence acne. Personal hygiene is not a major factor contributing to the prevalence of acne, and whether diet can affect acne is still hotly debated. Various treatments for acne include antibacterial oral medications, topical creams such as benzoyl peroxide, and red and blue light therapy. Blue light therapy works by exposing the affected areas of the skin to blue light that kills acne-causing bacteria called P. acnes. Red light therapy works by accelerating the rate of skin repair, which will cause acne to clear up faster.

Things You'll Need

• Dermatologist

Instructions

1. Consult with a dermatologist about your acne to get a proper diagnosis. Certain types of acne, such as nodulocystic acne, are unresponsive to light therapy and can even be worsened by it. Your doctor may recommend other treatments before attempting light therapy.

2. Try a one-month treatment plan of red and blue light therapy by setting up a series of appointments with your dermatologist. Undergo both red and blue light therapy at your doctor's office twice weekly for 15 minutes per session.

3. Evaluate the change in your skin's condition after one month. Consider whether enough improvement has occurred for you to want to continue with this treatment.

4. Research various red and blue light therapy products you can purchase for in-home use. Quasar and Verilux both manufacture well-reviewed products that can be ordered online.

5. Continue conducting twice-weekly 15-minute sessions at home. You may gradually increase the duration of your sessions to 30 minutes if clearing of the skin begins to slow.

Tips & Warnings

• Daily moisturizing with a noncomedogenic product is crucial during treatment, because the light therapy has a tendency to made the skin excessively dry.

• A combination of acne treatments is generally the most effective approach for most moderate to severe acne patients, given that the causes of acne tend to be varied.

• Use protective sunglasses while undergoing blue light therapy because the light rays can damage the retinas.

References

• Are Laser and Light Treatments Really Light Years Ahead of Conventional Acne Therapy?
• Photodynamic Therapy
• Does Blue Light Therapy Really Cure Acne?