Blue Light Acne Treatment (Phototherapy)

       Blue light acne treatment is sort of an “optical antibiotic”. Blue light with a wavelength of 405 nanometers to 420 nanometers can kill acne-causing bacteria. Acne-causing bacteria ( Propionibacterium Acnes ) excretes waste products known as Porphyrins. When Porphyrins are exposed to blue light they produce free radicals which eventually kill the bacteria. Blue light acne treatment can only be used to treat mild to moderate acne and it does not do much on severe pustular acne. Commercial blue light acne treatment kits are made up of Light Emitting Diodes or special fluorescent lamps. There are portable blue light kits designed for home use and some products are intended for clinic use only. Eye protection is necessary for this type of acne treatment since high intensity blue light could damage your eyes.

Precautions and Side Effects:

Blue light acne treatment can be used by pregnant women and is safe during pregnancy.This acne treatment procedure is not to used on children.

None. May cause epileptic seizure in susceptible people.

Effectiveness:

       In this study we have evaluated the use of blue light (peak at 415 nm) and a mixed blue and red light (peaks at 415 and 660 nm) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. After 12 weeks of active treatment a mean improvement of 76% (95% confidence interval 66-87) in inflammatory lesions was achieved by the combined blue-red light phototherapy. We have found that phototherapy with mixed blue-red light, probably by combining antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action, is an effective means of treating acne vulgaris of mild to moderate severity, with no significant short-term adverse effects.

(Source: P. Papageorgiou, A. Katsambas, A. Chu (2000) Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris British Journal of Dermatology 142 (5), 973–978. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2000.03481.x)

      Subjects were treated over eight sessions, two per week 3 days apart, alternating between 415 nm blue light (20 minutes/session, 48 J/cm2) and 633 nm red light (20 minutes/session, 96 J/cm2) from a light-emitting diode (LED)-based therapy system. Patients received a mild microdermabrasion before each session. CONCLUSIONS: Combination blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment of mild to severe acne. Treatment appears to be both pain- and side effect-free.

(Source: Combination blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment of mild to severe acne vulgaris.Goldberg DJ, Russell BA. Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York/New Jersey, and Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10022, USA.)

Product Information:

Blue light acne treatment is performed by exposing the affected area to blue light for 15 to 30 minutes. This acne treatment is best done once or twice a week for 8 to 12 weeks.
(Brand Names: Acnelamp, Revitalight)

Reviews and Comments:

“If you have your own blue light acne treatment device, this method could save you a lot of money. No messy stuffs on your face and with very little side effect.”

References:

1. http://www.revitalight.com/consumer_announcements.asp (REVITALIGHT Nancy Trent/Pamela Wadler Trent & Company)
2. http://www.acnelamp.com (Dima-Tech, Inc 2007)

Last updated: May 18, 2008