Acne is a skin condition that can persist even in adulthood and occurs when your hair follicles become blocked with oil, dead skin, and bacteria. It can bothersome especially when it appears in visible areas like the face. While there are many oral and topical treatments for it, some cases may be worse than others.
Fortunately, doctors have developed several treatments and therapies to work on special acne cases. One of the most effective is blue light therapy. It is a safe light-based treatment that stimulates your skin cells to fight off acne.
In this article, we will explore more about Blue Light Therapy and whether it is effective in killing acne-causing bacteria.
What is Blue Light Therapy?
Blue light therapy is a non-invasive FDA-approved treatment that is one of the wavelengths in LED Light Therapy. LED Light Therapy is a treatment harnessing different wavelengths of light to enhance skin condition. You can choose between red light, blue light, or infrared depending on your skin condition.
Blue light therapy, also known as BLT, penetrates deep in the pores to kill acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. Also known as P acnes, they are responsible for pore inflammation and promote rapid oil production. They are sensitive to blue light and are eliminated in the course of the therapy. The added heat from the blue light causes oil glands to shrink in size resulting in less oil production in the skin.
What are The Benefits of BLT?
BLT has an antimicrobial effect, which helps in the prevention of acne breakouts in the face and other parts of the body. According to a study done, subjects that experienced clarity on their skin comprised 97%. After the 8th week of the treatment, 73% experienced radiance, 80% tone, 80% texture, and 83% smoothness.
The treatment also helps improve skin by removing free radicals, reducing sun spots, and decreasing wrinkles and fine lines. Aside from the aesthetic benefits, it can also help is reducing lesions from eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, and improving plaques for psoriasis.
Can I Do BLT at Home?
Yes, there are many options for FDA-approved blue light therapy devices for home use. Some of these devices are a durable, waterproof, and sophisticated addition to your vanity drawer.
These devices work best when used from 45-60 days daily so you can see the results. Your skin should start looking brighter and healthier by that time.
A good example of these devices is Evenskyn’s Cosmo, an Ultrasonic Facial Cleanser and Scrubber. This product is perfect for everyday use and has a blue light therapy function to kill bacteria from your skin.
Aside from that, it also has ultrasonic waves to remove dirt and grime from your pores. These waves can also exfoliate the skin, making it smoother and rejuvenated. Besides, it is only 24,000 Hertz per second, which is gentle enough for the skin but tough enough to keep it clean.
Conclusion
Blue light therapy is a safe way to cleanse your skin in a more advanced way. If you have started your BLT, remember to maintain regular cleansing in the face so you can prevent major breakouts. When trying home devices, remember to read instructions and consult a doctor for any discomfort. Also, it is best to monitor daily since the results depend on your skin condition.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3366451/
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