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Blue Light Therapy for Acne
One of the most recent trends in the field of skin care is blue light therapy for acne. Many studies have been conducted on blue light therapy, and have found that this new method of treating acne really works.
Based on these findings, blue light therapy is considered a major breakthrough in acne treatment and could be an excellent option for acne patients who have had minimal success with conventional acne treatments.
The primary function of blue light therapy is to eliminate acne-causing bacteria. Researchers have determined that the blue light affects the primary trigger of acne eruptions, P. acnes.
P. acnes is the bacteria that causes acne inflammation by pumping out tiny molecules called porphyrins. Numerous studies have found that when those prophyrin are exposed to specific wavelengths of light, they emit free radicals that kill the bacteria. Without the P. acnes bacteria to trigger inflammation, the acne clears up.
Blue light therapy as an acne treatment has certain benefits. It is a natural and non-invasive therapy. Blue light therapy is also drug-free, without any unfavorable side effects. Blue light therapy has also been deemed by some as safe for all ages as well as for daily use. It is a relatively painless therapy that can be performed in the comfort of your own home.
Blue light therapy is typically administered in multiple sessions. Usually, eight sessions are performed, over a four-week period, with each session lasting about 15 minutes. While this therapy is generally free from adverse side effects, there is the potential for temporary pigment changes, swelling of the treated areas, and dryness of the treated skin. Considering this potential side effects, most experts do not recommend blue light therapy for patients who suffer from nodulocystic acne.
Now FDA approved, blue light therapy is becoming more widely used in the treatment of acne, as it becomes better known through media advertisements. Consult your dermatologist to find out if blue light treatment is right for you.
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