Light Therapy for Acne—Shine On!
Acne treatment isn’t just creams from your favorite store or prescription pills or topicals from your dermatologist. You can also add other treatments, like light therapy, to help keep your skin clear. And none of them look as cool as the LED masks and devices out there.
LED, or light-emitting diode (LED) therapy, is a form of treatment that uses red or blue light to treat the skin. Red light is exactly that– a visible wavelength of light that is red in color. Red light penetrates deeper into the dermis or second layer of the skin and can calm inflammation seen in acne bumps. It can also help promote new collagen and help with wrinkling. Blue light, you guessed it, looks blue and is more superficial and focuses on the top layer of the skin or epidermis. It helps treat acne by going after the bacteria and oil production that makes acne lesions.
What’s really important to know about LED light is that it does not contain ultraviolet light or the rays that cause skin cancer. LED therapy is not typically used by itself but is added as part of a complete acne regimen. To get the results most people want, several light treatments are usually necessary, and the best results may be seen with a combination of red and blue treatments.
While LED therapy sounds perfect for pimples, there are a few limitations. LED therapy is not effective for whiteheads and blackheads, which are ultra stubborn and best treated with topical retinoids. Possible side effects from blue and red light include redness, irritation, and blister formation. These are usually temporary and resolve on their own. Finally, you do need to protect your eyes. Don’t look directly into the light source; always wear your protective goggles.
So, do you use home or in-office devices? You can use both! In-office devices are typically stronger than what you receive at home. Home devices are often used to maintain in-office results. Some may use home devices in combination with office treatments. Whatever route you might go, discussing it with your dermatologist to have a safe game plan is important. Another important fact is that home devices are not built to the same standard. Some may have studies supporting how well they work, while others do not. Results can vary with each device, and don’t assume more expensive means it’s better. In short, if you want to get a home unit, ask your dermatologist for recommendations.
Trotter’s Take: Blue and red light therapy gets the green light and may be beneficial to add to your acne regimen. In-office treatments are beneficial, and home devices can also be useful, but do your research, and when in doubt, consult your dermatologist.
Want to hear more about light therapy and acne tips? Check out my latest podcast episode with Dr. John Barbieri here.
