Acne (and related skin problems) can ruin lives and there are loads of creams, tablets and remedies out there that can help to minimise the appearance of spots and blemishes – with varying degrees of success. One treatment that does seem to work on 80% of acne is the light based method.
How does light treatment for acne work?
To answer this you first need to understand what causes acne in the first place. Acne occurs when your body produces too much of the male hormone androgen (that is in fact present in men and women). Androgen is responsible for making increased levels of oil (sebum) to be produced by your sebaceous gland which in turn can cause the pores in your skin to get blocked. These blocked pores stop the oil rising to the skin’s surface making it susceptible to bacteria feeding on the oil and causing the inflammation and spots.
Acne light treatment FAQs
Below we answer some of the most common questions about this method of treating acne
How does light therapy for acne work?
Light based acne treatment systems work by gently penetrating the skin with a specific type of blue light that targets and kills the bacteria that feeds on blocked pores – the main source of most acne and inflammation. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the use of a red light too may also be effective in reducing inflammation and promoting healing of your skin. To this end you’ll find many of the acne light treatment devices out there use a combination of both blue and red lights to treat acne.
Is light therapy for acne safe?
Light therapy is generally considered safe for treating acne, if in doubt then consult a dermatologist to determine if it is suitable for you. Light therapy acne masks (see below) are apparently not recommended if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or nursing as the risks are unknown but this may be more of them being ultra cautious and i’d ask a doctor. They also say not to use the masks if you have severe acne so consider one of the alternative devices suggested below.
How often do you need light therapy for acne? / How long does it take to see results from light therapy for acne?
The frequency and duration of light therapy can vary depending on the type of device used so always read the instructions for safe and optimal results. Typically it is recommended to use for between 10 and 20 minutes daily (this can somethimes be 3 short sessions) for around 12 weeks with an improvement typically seen in the first couple of weeks.
Does light therapy for acne work?
Studies (and a huge number of personal accounts if you read the reviews) have shown that light therapy can be highly effective in reducing acne and improving the appearance of the skin. However, as with all things in life, results will vary from person to person.
Are there any side effects of light therapy for acne?
The most common side effects of light therapy for acne are mild redness and skin irritation. These side effects should disappear within a few hours of treatment so we’d recommend not using for the first time immediately before you are going out somewhere – just so you can check how your skin reacts to the treatment and give it time to calm down.
Can you use light therapy for acne at home?
There are acne light treatment devices specifically designed for at-home that work in the same way as the devices you’d see in a clinic. The cost of light therapy can be very expensive in professional clinics depending on the number of treatments needed so this can be a very cost-effective alternative you can use as and when needed. We’ve provided a few options below to give you an idea of what is available
Can light therapy for acne be used in combination with other treatments?
Light therapy can be used in conjunction with other acne treatment methods. We’d always recommend you getting medical advice if you are worried about your acne anyway as they may suggest other acne treatments such as topical creams or oral medication that will help achieve optimal results.
Which acne light treatment system to choose?
There are a number of different light based acne treatment devices out there.
Here are some of the distinct types available. If you click on the images below you’ll be able to see many more of the same type and potentially find one on offer.
Light Therapy Acne Treatment Pens
As the name suggests these devices look like pen and are especially good for if you just have a few spots that you want to target.They will typically include both blue and red lights that you can easily switch between as required at teh touch of a button. The version shown also includes heat therapy to help the process
Treat for 2.5 minutes per time, three times a day. Power powered by 1 x AA battery (not included)
Acne treatment LED masks
Acne light treatment devices have moved beyond the hand-held devices that you hold against your skin and now you can get LED Light Therapy Acne Masks. These will typically use 3 lights – the blue and red which have above and then an orange light which is supposed to help with dull skin. From a usability perspective there are 2 main benefits to this type of device – firstly is the fact that you can just lie back and relax while it works its magic and secondly, you can treat your whole face in whole go for an even and effective treatment. It says to treat for 10 minutes on each colour per day.
They are often a lot cheaper than you may expect – at around £50 – but are often heavily discounted to around £30. They get great reviews so you may want to check out this option.
It is worth noting that is says not to use a Light Therapy Acne Mask if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or nursing as the risks are unknown and have not been established and it is is not recommended for severe acne
Many people have had great, life-changing success with this blue-light method so it is worth considering it too if acne is a problem for you.
“My acne was mild to moderate but would flare up occasionally and I would never go out without makeup, but after the first month of use I felt confident enough to spend the day with no make up. It really has made a difference, I was sceptical that a product I could use at home would not be strong enough to make a difference but I am so glad I bought this, and would recommend that you give it a try.“
“Growing up I suffered with acne…and even into my adulthood. I had tried countless products, both over the counter and prescription, and nothing consistently worked. I saw the TRIA blue light product in an Allure magazine and thought I’d try it. After a couple of weeks I noticed my skin clearing up and I even started to receive compliments on my complexion!! It has been about 2 months and I’d say that more than half of my breakouts are gone!“