Acne Magazine

Contrary to popular belief, acne isn’t just the scourge of teenagers – many older people suffer from the skin disorder too, especially women in their 20s and 30s. In fact, around 12% of women over 30 have some form of acne. Acne is caused by having an excess of hormones, known as androgens, which produce more oil and cause acne. It’s also made worse by stress, a poor diet, or a shortage of vitamins. 

There is no shortage of creams and lotions designed to miraculously cure acne. And in recent years, hormonal acne treatments have become popular, especially among women in their 20s and 30s. Laser treatments, in which a beam of light is concentrated on the effective area, are also very effective, particularly if used in conjunction with an oral contraceptive. One option for acne treatment that you may not have considered is the rather intriguingly named blue light treatment.

Blue light treatment marks a breakthrough in the treatment of acne – it’s safe, painless and uses no lasers or ultra-violet light. It is also relatively affordable, given the dramatic results that can be achieved – a single session typically costs around $40, while a routine of several weekly sessions will cost anything from $1,000 to $1,500. Furthermore, in 2002 blue light treatment was approved by the FDA – making the treatment accessible to millions of acne sufferers.

The treatment is quick and easy and each session takes from between twenty to thirty minutes. The patient’s face is first washed, and then allowed to dry. During sessions, the patient either sits or lies down and the light source is placed close to their face or other affected area. Blue light acne treatment exposes the face or other affected area, to a high intensity beam of light – usually blue in color.

Once the session is over, most patients feel no ill effects and are able to resume their daily routine. Typically, blue light sessions take place at intervals of around a week or two weeks, although the exact frequency and duration of the sessions will depend on the particular needs of the patient. Once positive results are being seen, the frequency of the sessions can be shortened.

The main benefit of blue light acne therapy is its proven success rate – around 85% of patients show an improvement and most patients experience positive results within just a few weeks of commencing treatment. Blue light treatment works so effectively because it targets the sebaceous glands – rather than just the surrounding tissue – thus destroying the bacteria that actually cause acne.  You could even pair one of the great new herbal acne treatments and supplements or something like the Acne Free in 3 Days program with the blue light treatment for optimal results if you choose to do so.

One other big advantage is that blue light treatment can take place just as easily in the home, as at the offices of a dermatologist. In fact, you can now purchase a blue light kit for use in the home, for between $150 and $500. If you decide to do this at home, always follow safety instructions – don’t sit too close to the light source; and always wear safety goggles.

Blue light treatment is a particularly good option for acne sufferers with sensitive skin, because unlike various other acne treatments available, it doesn’t involve removing the top layer of skin. In general, side effects of blue light acne treatment have been found to be minimal – although some patients may experience slight redness of the skin, swelling or a slight burning sensation.

Blue light treatment is even more effective in curing acne when used in conjunction with photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy was first developed and used as long ago as 1905 to treat skin cancer. The technique combines a light source with the use of a topical photosensitizing solution to target specific cells. The procedure has been used to not only treat acne, but age spots and wrinkles as well.  For some great in-home suggestions for these products see here Blue Light Suggestions 

Photodynamic therapy involves applying a photosensitizing solution to the area of the skin that is going to be treated; followed by applying the light. The solution penetrates the skin, thus making the affected area more sensitive to the light. It’s a fairly new procedure although, again side effects have been found to be minimal. However, some patients have experienced an allergic reaction to the solution – as with any new procedure, always ask your physician first.

If you are a patient undergoing blue light treatment, it’s still important to care for your skin in other ways to help prevent any acne flare-ups. Use a skin cleanser or medicated soap regularly, as well as the regular application of benzoyl peroxide. Avoid using soaps that contain perfume and abrasive preparations; and always try to use skin care products labeled as noncomedogenic which won’t cause acne or make it worse. And too much sun is not good for acne!

If you have tried creams and lotions and nothing seems to work, consider trying blue light acne treatment – it may be the solution you have been waiting for.