Differences Between Adult And Teenage Acne
Differences Between Adult And Teenage Acne
Blog Article
At-Home Light Therapy For Acne
At-home light therapies emit non-irritating, UV-free wavelengths that do not cause skin damage or sunburn. They're also easy to incorporate into your skincare routine.
Blue-light therapy targets the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, which causes clogged pores that turn into pimples. It can help kill the bacteria, reduce inflammation, and shrink oil glands.
Red Light
Red light therapy can help treat mild to moderate acne, though it may be less effective on blackheads and whiteheads. The device "zaps bacteria on the surface of your skin that clog pores and create inflammation, helping to clear up breakouts," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner.
Unlike traditional topical treatments, red light doesn't contain harsh chemicals and causes no irritation. It also promotes healing, so it can help reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Look for a red light treatment that has both red and blue lights—and always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Blue light targets the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and shuts down their metabolism, while red light addresses inflammation to calm the skin. For best results, consistency is key. Many dermatologists recommend a daily session, which can be done either at home or at a medical office. Be sure to use any eye protection recommended by the manufacturer. And don't skip your post-treatment skincare routine!
Blue Light
Blue light therapy is a popular skin treatment that targets specific skin issues. It is a modern treatment that combines a photosensitizing agent and a blue light to precisely target and destroy acne, sun damage and certain pre-cancerous lesions. At Pinehurst Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Center, our board-certified providers are experts in this advanced skin treatment.
After you have cleansed your face, your dermatologist will apply a photosensitizing agent and then expose your entire face to the blue light device. The blue light only targets the tissues that have absorbed the photosensitizing agent, so your other skin cells will remain unaffected.
Studies have shown that blue light reduces the number of acne lesions on the skin, including both papules and pustules. Unlike older devices that required patients to come into the doctor’s office for treatments, new handheld blue light devices allow you to self-treat at home. Subjects in a recent study found that the instructions for using the blue light device were easy to understand and followed, so they felt confident performing the treatments without supervision from a dermatologist.
Yellow Light
The yellow light on at-home devices like Healite penetrates the skin at a shallow level and triggers cellular response. It stimulates cell production, accelerates healing, and promotes collagen induction for better skin texture and tone. It also reduces pigmentation by inhibiting the production of tyrosinase, a key enzyme that produces melanin and causes hyperpigmentation.
Blue and red LED lights are effective at targeting p. acne bacteria to kill them, and can be paired with yellow light to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. This combination helps reduce oil gland size, minimizing pore size and decreasing sebaceous hyperplasia (enlarged oil glands) which can contribute to acne breakouts.
Yellow light therapy is great for people who have a sensitive skin type and can be used to reduce redness, inflammation, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, rosacea, and sun damage. It also can improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of pores. It increases ATP and oxygen, which are natural substances that speed up the skin’s natural healing process.
Green Light
Unlike red or blue light, green light activates porphyrins without directly killing bacteria. It reduces the inflammation that triggers acne breakouts and improves skin pigmentation for a more even tone. Green LED light is also known to reduce circles under the eyes, and can shrink dilated blood vessels commonly found in rosacea and sunspots.
Studies show that a narrow band of green light (520nm +/-10) can also alleviate migraine, which is often characterized by one-sided throbbing pain and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. Migraine can have a serious impact on daily life and can interfere with work and school responsibilities, so beverly hills walk in clinic finding any pain relief is a welcome treatment option for migraine sufferers.
Some light-based devices are marketed for home use, but more research is needed on these products. Some dermatology clinics offer professional-grade light therapy to treat severe or cystic acne, and these devices are often more powerful than home units. These professionals also provide customized treatment plans and can monitor your progress and adjust your treatments as necessary to get the best results.