Does Red Light Therapy Help Acne？
What are the causes of acne?
Any changes in hormones, including those brought on by pregnancy and menstruation, can trigger excess oil and bacteria.
Bacteria found on the face can cause acne when combined with oil or dead skin cells, and dead skin cells can accumulate in your pores if you don't properly wash your face;
Pollution manifests itself as debris and dust. When this muck lands on your face, it can clog your pores, which leads to acne;
Friction from tight clothing can cause often-imperceptible breaks in your skin that bacteria can then enter and lead to a breakout.
How does light therapy work?
As an anti-bacterial wavelength, the Blue 415nm offers a solution when this is the case.
Blue LED light therapy specifically targets acne bacteria that lives on the skin and causes acne lesions. By removing the bacteria, this treatment reduces oil production, prevents future breakout and offers a UV-free alternative for the treatment of eczema and acne.
Can light therapy treat acne?
LED (light emitting diode) therapy is one of those things that works under the radar. You won’t feel anything or see your skin changing on the spot, but rest assured things are going down underneath the skin. “LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that works by penetrating the dermis with low-level wavelengths of light in order to stimulate cells to function more efficiently,” explains Dr. Dendy. Once these cells get a little wake-up call, they take it as a cue to do their jobs faster and more efficiently. “Boosting cellular activity with safe wavelengths of light activates the body’s own repair system, helping it heal more quickly, produce more collagen, and reduce the appearance of unwanted aging signs like fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.”
100 percent—but of course, it has its limitations. “Light therapy is beneficial for acne, but it works best in conjunction with other over the counter and prescription treatments to develop a comprehensive treatment plan,” says board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Dr. Brian Hibler. While a 360 approach is key, light therapy, specifically a combination of blue and red light, can be helpful at targeting the bacteria and inflammation associated with acne. “Different wavelengths of light will target different aspects of acne—in a way targeting different ‘types’ of acne, but indirectly,” adds Dr. Dendy.
Blue light therapy and acne
Blue light is the go-to for combatting congestion. “It mainly affects the epidermis, which is the uppermost layer of the skin, and kills various types of acne-causing bacteria that collects in pores and oil glands,” explains Dr. Dendy. “Because it has an antimicrobial property, it’s effective for those who experience acne as a result of clogged pores.”
Red light therapy and acne
“Red light therapy is able to penetrate deeper layers of the skin barrier,” explains Dr. Dendy. Since it’s able to reach deep into the dermis (blue light only gets to the epidermis), it’s great for treating deep cystic acne, as well as surface pimples. “It has an anti-inflammatory effect and boosts the body’s own repair system, allowing it to recover faster from breakouts.”
“Blue light therapy and red light therapy, especially in combination, are the most effective at treating acne,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. “Blue light mainly affects the epidermis (the uppermost layer of the skin) and kills various types of acne-causing bacteria that collect in pores and oil glands.” Red light therapy is able to penetrate deeper layers of the skin barrier and can reduce inflammation associated with those painful-to-the-touch little friends.
