Blue light acne treatment has emerged in recent years as yet another way to combat the embarrassing acne that nearly every teenager and many adults have to live with. Many people wonder if this type of treatment is just a gimmick, or if the hype is true and blue light treatments can promise them a future without acne. Before you spend the time and money on visiting a dermatologist, there are a few things you should know about this form of treatment.
How Do Blue Light Acne Treatments Work?
The blue light system works by exposing your face, back, or other affected areas to high intensity blue light (visible light between 405-420nm). It has been known for a long time that sunlight can help clear acne breakouts by killing one source of acne, a type of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (commonly called p. acnes) The p. acnes bacteria live underneath your skin and feed on the oil in your clogged pores, which cause the swelling and redness commonly associated with acne. By killing this bacteria, you unclog your pores and allow your skin to heal.
Are there any Side Effects?
Although any acne treatment can cause drying and slight inflammation while the affected areas heal, blue light treatment appears to be virtually free of side effects. This is because it uses visible light, but unlike sunlight, modern blue light treatments contain no UV rays that damage your skin.
It is necessary to wear proper eye protection while undergoing treatment, as the light is very intense and can damage your eyes if they are unprotected. Blue light treatments may need to be avoided if you are taking any medications that increase photosensitivity (sensitivity to light).
Do Blue Light Treatments Work For Everyone?
Blue light treatment has been shown to be very effective in treating mild to moderate cases, but it is not 100% effective for everyone. The majority of test subjects have shown a drastic decrease in acne over the period of a few weeks. A small number of people have little or no response to blue light treatment, and people with the most severe type of acne, nodules, can actually get worse. Nodules are large swelled cyst-like acne that are usually painful to the touch and take considerable time to go away. Although some people get nodules naturally, you can also get them from popping pimples and zits improperly, causing the infection to go deeper into the skin. So try to resist the temptation and give any treatment you try a chance to work.
While blue light treatment is not 100% effective for 100% of the population, it should not be overlooked since it is very gentle to your skin and helps cure acne infection naturally.
Can Blue Light Be Used with Other Treatment Methods?
Yes, other treatments can help blue light get rid of acne even faster and more completely. Many specialists follow the blue light treatment with some exposure to high intensity red light, which helps your skin heal faster, reducing the visible effects of acne. Some studies have also been done on the effects of using a mild acid know as ALA prior to blue light treatment. ALA makes the skin more sensitive to light, thereby increasing the effect. Antibiotics can also be used in addition to this treatment.
Where can I get Blue Light Acne Treatments?
Dermatologists are using blue light treatment more and more because of it is gentle and safe. Blue light treatment kits are also becoming available for home use through the internet. It appears that you can purchase a kit for $150-$500USD, although the quality may vary greatly. If you do purchase a blue light unit for home use, you will want to do your research to be sure you are getting the real deal since a true blue light treatment requires high intensity blue light, and not just a string of blue lights off the Christmas tree.
Also, the biggest difference between modern blue light systems and earlier systems is whether or not they produce harmful UV light. Modern Blue light systems are very gentle because they do not emit UV light. Earlier systems produced UV light, damaging skin like a tanning bed or being in the sun too long. Using a system that exposes you to UV light can actually make acne worse, as well as damage your skin.
You may want to consult a dermatologist before beginning Blue Light treatment at home. They are the experts after all, and can help you decide which acne treatment is best for you. If you are interested in purchasing a Blue Light unit for home use, your dermatologist may be able to inform you of a few issues to watch out for, or even put you in contact with a Blue Light system distributor he trusts.
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