Acne sufferers of all ages can find it hard to keep acne under control with even the most aggressive over-the-counter treatments.  Acne treatment programs including Proactiv, Dr. Murad’s Acne Complex and other skincare products can help to exfoliate the skin, but can also leave the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to acne breakouts. Blue Light Acne treatments offer one alternative to many over-the-counter products, and make use of photodynamic technology to treat the skin from inside out.   

Why Over the Counter Acne Treatments Don’t Work  

Acne breakouts are often the result of clogged pores and overproduction of oil deep within the skin’s layers. When the excess oil becomes trapped beneath the skin’s surface, the results is often a breakout or flareup of the skin, and bacteria can begin to accumulate around damaged cells and skin tissues. Over-the-counter acne treatments are often used to address these flareups but only reach the skin at the superficial level; in some cases, astringents, harsh cleansers and even some facial masks can aggravate acnetic skin and make it more vulnerable to breakouts and clogged pores. Since very few products can penetrate into the deepest layers to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, most acne sufferers cannot achieve significant results from topical treatments.  

How Blue Light Acne Treatments Work  

Instead of using harsh astringents and exfoliants on the skin, acne sufferers can turn to a series of blue light treatments to reduce inflammation beneath the skin’s surface and promote healing. This solution  is a non-invasive, FDA approved skin treatment, and does not make use of UV rays or other types of harmful light or energy. Blue Light acne treatments can help to rebuild and repair damaged tissues beneath the skin’s surface, and can even prevent the sebaceous glands from producing too much oil.

The powerful light kills the bacteria under the skin so that cells and tissues can heal naturally – and far more rapidly than applying topical gels, creams and other ointments. The procedure itself takes under 30 minutes, and does not require any downtime. Blue Light Acne treatments are a promising alternative to conventional acne treatments, and may help many acne sufferers manage skin problems from inside out.   

Getting Started with a Blue Light Acne Treatment Program  

Blue Light acne treatments can be administered over a course of a few weeks or several months depending on the severity of the acne. Patients are exposed to a blue light screen or lamp that is targeted to key areas of the face including the cheeks, forehead, chin, nose and upper neck area. The painless light emits energy waves deep into the skin, and helps to slowly kill underlying bacteria. The soothing light can help to reduce redness, inflammation and breakouts in a very short period of time. There are several brand name blue light treatment programs available at cosmetic surgery and aesthetic centers across the country, and some require applying a topical cream or gel to the skin before and after the treatment to enhance results. 

Some of today’s leading Blue Light treatments include Lumenis ClearLight and BLU-U by DUSA. Lumenis ClearLight received FDA approval in 2002, and can treat both mild to severe cases of acne. The BLU-U system received FDA approval in 2003, but is a less powerful system than Lumenis ClearLight and designed for cases of mild to moderate acne.  

If you’re struggling with keeping acne under control, blue light treatments may be a better solution than many of today’s over the counter skincare products.

Learn more about acne treatments and other solutions in our information guide, or consult with a cosmetic dermatologist in your area to find out if blue light therapy is a good match for you.