Did you know that acne affects up to 50 million people in the United States each year?
Acne is the most common skin condition among Americans, so chances are, you have suffered from some form of acne at some point in your life. Acne can be detrimental to your mental health and it can be hard to find non-invasive remedies.
If you have tried all of the topical and oral treatments and have no had any luck curing your acne, we may have a solution for you. Evidence suggests that LED lights can help treat acne. While the evidence is not conclusive, LED lights have a range of benefits when used on the skin.
Here is everything you need to know about how to use LED light for acne:
How Light Treats Acne
Your dermatologist has a range of ways to help your acne. They can prescribe antibiotics, chemical peels, creams, gels, and other procedures. Light-emitting diode (LED) skin devices are growing in popularity as a natural, non-invasive way of helping stubborn acne.
In the simplest terms, LED light therapy for acne uses a special kind of light to kill bacteria that causes acne.
Acne develops in the pores of your skin. Within each pore is an oil-producing gland, and the oil keeps your skin healthy. However, when oil, dead skin cells, and dirt start getting trapped, your pores will become clogged.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a bacteria that lives on your skin and can also get in your clogged pores. P. acnes is the culprit for causing the clogged pores to form swollen bumps, which we refer to as acne.
LED lights help kill bacteria and heal pimples. Bacteria in your skin is very sensitive to these kinds of light. When these lights are directed onto your skin, toxic substances form and kill this bacteria.
LED light therapy for acne also helps to shrink the oil glands in your skin over time. In turn, your skin will start to produce less pore-clogging oil. The varying wavelengths of light trigger the skin's healing process so your skin can repair itself naturally.
Light therapy works on mild to moderate acne. Several treatments are needed in order to see results.
Which Kinds of Light Treat Acne?
Different wavelengths of LED lights penetrate your skin at varying depths. Red and blue lights are the most common lights used to treat acne. Their differing wavelengths cause them to have different effects on the skin.
Blue LED light is believed to be the most effective light for acne sufferers.
Blue light helps to reduce activity in the sebaceous glands, which are the tiny, oil-producing glands in your skin. This causes less oil production, which helps with acne. Blue light penetrates pores and kills bacteria.
Red LED light is considered the healer, plumper, and soother for the skin. It also promotes blood circulation.
Red light helps to stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, which makes cells reproduce quicker. It soothes the external layer of the skin and helps fight inflammation. Red light also helps correct skin discoloration caused by acne.
If you are wondering if the two lights can be used together, the answer is yes. In fact, they complement each other. It is common for both lights to be used as a team to treat acne, inflammation, scarring, and wound healing.
Where Can I Get LED Therapy for Acne?
You can get this treatment at your dermatologist's office. Typically, you will go in weekly for treatment at first, and then on a monthly basis. An in-office light therapy session lasts about 20 minutes.
Practitioners are able to use higher-strength LEDs, which makes the therapy more effective.
You can also try an at-home LED light therapy device. Home LED kits tend to have lower frequencies. The results may not be as dramatic, but you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
There are many FDA-cleared light technology devices you can choose from. They will typically have both blue and red light wavelengths. Regular use of at-home light therapy devices can help keep maskne, acne caused by wearing masks, at bay.
Another at-home product worth trying is an LED acne mask. You can put the mask on once your skin is clean, and sit back and relax at home while the lights do their job. This is a great option for those with sensitive skin.
Both in-office and at-home LED light therapies can provide great results for your acne. It just may take a little more time to see results if you opt to go the at-home route. Both are great options for keeping your skin clear and fresh.
Try LED Light for Acne Today
Ditch the harsh topicals and oral treatments and give LED light for acne a try today. It is a non-invasive treatment for acne that is growing in popularity in the recent years. It is a safe way to activate the skin's natural defenses.
The good news is that LED lights are safe to use, as they do not contain ultraviolet rays. Give it a whirl and see if it is the answer to your skin woes! It might just be the cure for your skin you have been searching for.
Spa Sciences has a range of science-based skincare products designed to give you a luxury spa experience at home. Take your skincare to the next level!
Click here to check out our revolutionary skincare products!