Treating Acne Using Blue LED Light Therapy: An Overview

Acne is the bane of our teenage years, those pesky spots that we’d do anything to get rid of. Many are fortunate enough to shed this skin condition when they enter adulthood. But not everyone is so lucky.

For adults who still experience acne, there is a seemingly never-ending list of products and treatments that purport to get rid of this affliction. Quack doctors and snake oil treatments are everywhere and it can be hard to know what works and what doesn’t.

But there is an acne treatment that has slowly been making its presence known in the skincare industry. That treatment is blue light therapy. But what is it exactly? And how does it work as an acne treatment?

Keep reading, as we cover the basics of this groundbreaking skincare treatment.

What Is Blue Light Therapy?

Blue light therapy is an alternative treatment that uses light in the blue wavelength range to treat damaged skin. It uses these wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into the pores of your skin, killing any bacteria in the top layers of your skin. By killing the bacteria that cause acne, it can halt its growth and prevents future acne from developing. 

This is a 100% natural, painless, and non-invasive treatment with minimal side effects, and no downtime after treatment.

Blue light therapy used for skin treatment should not be confused with photodynamic therapy, which involves the use of high-intensity blue light to help activate certain drugs or products known as ‘photosynthesizers’, particularly in cancer treatment or more intensive skin treatment.

Is It An Effective Acne Treatment?

Over the years, many studies have been conducted into the use of blue light therapy for acne, and results have been generally favorable. There is enough evidence to establish that blue light therapy is indeed an effective treatment for acne, and has been shown to have multiple other benefits for the skin. These include improved tone, texture, appearance, clarity, and smoothness of the skin.

These studies have included participants over a wide age range, usually between 16 and 56 years old. One extensive study showed that of 33 subjects who are exposed to blue light therapy on a daily basis for up to 2 months, around 82% were satisfied with the results of the treatment. 86% also attested that blue light therapy was more gentle than most acne treatments. Many tests have included both clinical and self-administered treatment. 

Will It Work For You?

Blue light therapy is suitable for all skin types, so technically anyone can use it. However, this treatment has been shown to work best on light to medium acne. For severe or chronic acne, more intensive treatment may be required. 

But overall, it is a safe and effective way to sanitize your pores, reduce acne lesions, and prevent the appearance of future acne. If you suffer from mild to medium acne, blue light therapy treatment may be the right choice for you.

And if you don’t want the hassle of booking multiple appointments with your nearest clinic, or you can’t find an outlet that offers it, consider a self-administered device. For example, the EvenSkyn® Cosmo: Ultrasonic Facial Cleanser & Scrubber, which offers a combination of blue light therapy and ultrasonic-cleansing, that deep cleans your skin while killing any acne-causing bacteria.

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14756640/
2. https://www.acne.org/photodynamic-therapy-pdt.html
3. https://forefrontdermatology.com/services/blue-light-therapy-treatment/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15545101/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21637900/
6. https://www.healthline.com/health/blue-light-therapy#purpose-and-uses