Acne Light Therapy

The Benefits of Using Acne Light Therapy

Acne is one of those problems for the face, that you would think medical science really should have a cure for by now. Well, acne light therapy, also known as acne blue light therapy, is a huge breakthrough. Acne is terrible problem that can be painful, disfiguring, and even debilitating. But science will admit that it still doesn't have a real cure for acne, even though acne light therapy is the next best thing. In fact, there are many benefits of using acne light therapy.

Some people have tried strong prescription drugs like Accutane for a way out - braving the tremendous side effects that they come with. The drug is so serious, doctors do not want to give it to women before menopause. They fear that if they become pregnant, the drug could cause birth defects, but that does not mean it will. It just means there is a higher risk, as with many other drugs.

Researchers are always trying new ways to tackle the acne problem. Acne light therapy has been a recent development. People certainly seem to be taking to it really quickly - there are no side effects, and it's pain-free. While those may be welcome qualities to acne light therapy, one does wish to know how effective it is.

How does acne blue light therapy work?

How exactly does light therapy for acne work? The device sends out light of very specific wavelengths - something between 400 and 700 nm. The light is blue to look at. The light forms highly reactive oxygen that the bacteria that cause acne, propion bacteria, can't stand. They get you to make the bacteria even more sensitive to this light so you can apply it to your skin. This is a chemical called aminolevulinic acid that you apply to the affected area before you use the light. There are also side effects of infrared light therapy.

You get acne when your oil glands get clogged with an oily product that the skin produces, called sebum. Clogged, and poorly ventilated oily follicles, are a great place for bacteria to grow. This is because it is a warm and safe place with plenty of oil for the bacteria to eat. With the bacteria flourishing, your white blood cells come in to fight the problem. When they are unsuccessfully trying to deal with the problem, they release chemicals into your follicles. And your follicles get inflamed with acne bruises and lesions. So there are bacteria, and whatever you can do to fight those bacteria and get rid of them would certainly help with your acne.

Can Acne Light Therapy Actually be Worth It?

So does acne blue light therapy actually help destroy the bacteria? And is it worth the mone? In studies that they publish in medical journals, doctors keep wondering why people use acne light therapy, when there is no real evidence that it does anything. Of course, just the fact that there isn't enough evidence yet does not mean that it is not effective. All this means is that no one is really sure. Since the light happens to be pretty powerful, it could make you sensitive to the sun for a few days. But all in all, acne light therapy seems worth the effort if it improves acne any at all.