Anika Skincare answers--- Acne and LED Light Therapy

Blue and red-light therapy can be very effective at treating mild to moderate acne. These specific wavelengths of light help to soothe acne while also evening the skin tone. You can use LED light therapy to treat current acne or even help with scarring after the acne is finally gone. Light therapy devices work to kill the bacteria on the skin that cause acne. It is a research-backed treatment that is effective, safe, and free of side effects.

Blue light therapy is the most common light therapy used to treat acne breakouts. Blue light has an antibacterial effect that helps to kill all the types of bacteria that clog your pores and cause breakouts. Blue light also works to condition the skin by disposing it of free radicals that corrode and age your face. This therapy also has inflammatory effects which is great for reducing redness and decreasing scarring. Red light therapy isn’t as effective for acne as blue light therapy is but is still worth trying. Red light therapy promotes healing of the skin, which is helpful in reducing the visibility of acne scarring. Red light therapy goes deep below the surface of the skin so it can help repair the tissue that is deep down under. If your acne is more of a chronic skin condition than red light therapy may be more effective due to its ability to really get into the deep layers of the skin.

Blue and red-light therapy is often paired together to get the perfect mix to treat acne conditions. Blue light is generally considered to be the most effective option for acne breakouts because of the three different things it does to target breakouts. These include: Antibacterial properties : blue light triggers a chemical reaction in the skin that reduces acne causing bacteria. That bacterium produces these proteins called porphyrins that clog pores and cause breakouts. When these proteins are exposed to blue light, the chemical reaction kills the

bacteria. Regulated sebum production: Sebum is an oily, waxy substance that your body’s sebaceous glands naturally produce. It coats, moisturizes, and protects your skin. When the skin has an overproduction of sebum, it can clog pores and trigger acne breakouts. Blue light helps regulate your skins natural production of sebum. Improving inflammation: blue light helps to soothe irritated skin and evens out the tone of the skin. It helps with inflammation and redness, which we all know are major components of acne breakouts.

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These factors all make blue light therapy an effective treatment for acne and even those with

irritated skin. Oftentimes, people with acne struggle with having sensitive skin and many topical

ointments can irritate your skin. While we don’t recommend ditching the topical ointments all

together, LED blue light therapy can be used to help lessen the irritation that may come from it.

Benefits of blue light therapy

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Treats sun damage

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Can treat premalignant or malignant skin cancer growths

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Can be used to prevent skin cancer

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Eliminates acne causing bacteria

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Reduces acne

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Soothes irritated skin

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Reduces acne scarring

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Stabilizes oil glands

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Speeds up the healing process

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Reduces inflammation

How often do you need to use light therapy to see results?

While post people see a difference in their skin right way, light therapy is something that

becomes even more effective the more consistently you do it. Most LED light treatment series

require weekly appointments. With acne, the treatments usually last for about 4-8 weeks

depending on the severity of your acne. Investing in a handheld LED device may also be worth

considering. You will have access to unlimited treatments with just a single purchase. Since light

therapy is safe and noninvasive, it is even something that you could do every night as part of

your daily skincare routine.

Final thoughts

Everyone has different skin. Everyone experiences different kinds of breakouts. Everyone

responds to treatments differently. There isn’t one single solution in treating acne and what

may work for one person can be ineffective for another. However, considering that LED light

therapy is harmless and convenient, it is worth trying. Light therapy is best for people who have

inflammatory acne or red tender bumps and pustules. It won’t really get rid of white or black

heads, and it is unlikely to be effective against comedonal acne. If you’ve been suffering with

acne and are looking for something else to try, we recommend giving LED blue and red-light

therapy a shot!