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About an hour ago they arrived at my doorstep via UPS, and I set them up in like 5 minutes. Washed my face and did a 20 minute blue light session. Ok... here goes.
MY BACKGROUND:
1. Experienced with Lumenis ClearLight Treatment - one session yielded complete clearing within 5 days. I did the light therapy at a MedSpa and when I saw my Derm a week later his eyes almost popped out. He said my skin was perfect.
2. Currently using Retin-A Micro.
3. Non Prescription products include:
Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse - Occasionally if feeling congested
MD Forte Level 3 Face Wash - 2xDaily
Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel - 2xDaily
MD Forte Replenish Hydrating Cream - As needed for moisture - like after dermabrasion
Skinceuticals 15% Serum - Morning
Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask - Spot Treatment
CURRENT ACNE STATE:
My acne is not severe, I would say mild to moderate with a few good days in between. I have current breakouts on both my temples, a little on my forehead. Everything else is 100% clear.
Next,
WHAT I GOT:
1. Two Blue Light LEDs
2. One Red Light LED
3. Three Clamp on LED Fixtures
4. Tanning Goggles (included)
First... THE BULBS
These bulbs are not bright... they are freaking blinding. I can't believe how bright they are. Even with the goggles on, they hurt my eyes. You cannot look directly into these bulbs, you will pay for it. You'll be seeing spots for a while. I cannot open my eyes at all with these bulbs on.... with ClearLight, I took my goggles off and looked directly at the light and it didnt hurt. These LED's own Incandescent, Di-CHromatic whatever... its no contest. They are that intense.
The LED bulbs are not manufactured by SciART, they are made by a company called EnLUX. This company I called (will get to this later) and can say is a highly reputable company. The LED's are patented and use unique technology to deliver unsurpassed brightness. They are currently the brightest LED's being manufactured for public purchase in the world.
The LED lamps were awarded the Grand Award by Popular Mechanics during their debut in early 2005. And the lighting industry as a whole has applauded the patented EnLUX light engine for how bright they are. They also won the Lightfair International award for best new LED product of the year.
STYLE
The bulbs are REALLY cool looking and nice and small... 3 inches wide and 5 inches deep. You could slip these into your pocket if you wanted to. They have a flower/fan heat sink that does a great job of dissipating the heat.
Yes, contrary to popular belief, LEDs do get hot. Just not as hot as other types of bulbs. You could touch these LED's while on, but they would not burn you. They would become a bit uncomfortable though, or at least I would imagine.
The directions say to sit AT LEAST 2 feet away... I sat about 1 foot away and could feel warmth on my face.
SPECS
The LED's say on the bulbs themselves...
120volts
60Hrz
22 Watts
The output is twice that of a 100watt incandescent bulb. SO... these LED's are putting out the equivalent of a 200watt bulb.
THE FIXTURES
The fixtures are neat and are the type used in photography for flash bulbs. They are small and can be adjusted to any possible degree. They have a easy to use switch... simple and straight forward.
MAIN THING
Ok, I'll have to use these bulbs for a while to see if they do indeed work... but I am very impressed with them so far. I'll post an update to this thread if i clear up. I also have the red light.... which I am going to use on alternating days.
My shedule:
20 Min Blue TRSat
20 Min Red MW
Sunday off... or if desired. My pick.
ONE IMPORTANT NOTE
I checked with EnLux and SciART - These Blue LEDs operate at a wavelength of right around 470nm. The studies that show best results do treatment at 405nm-420nm. This is a big difference. The Di-Chromatics that they had before have worked for other people, but also operated at around 470nm. I found some studies that say 470nm is effective for acne, but not nearly as effective as 405nm-420nm. SciART said they have had no returns so far and will be sending out testimonil requests soon.
I however, wanted a true 405nm-420nm LED. I asked SciART if they could get them. The woman I spoke with said that they FOR SURE are getting 412nm LED's custom manufactured by EnLUX. I thought maybe she was lying, but she said that they invested a lot of money in them and they just have not arrived yet, it has been about 60 days since their order. She ENSURED me they were coming, and said once they are in, I could swap my current blue lights out for the 412nm lights, for free.
She also said that she thinks the current ones will work for me since they have worked for others. But regardless, even if I have complete clearing, I can still exchange the bulbs if I desire. And even if I have complete clearing, I will for sure exchange for the new ones once they arrive.
I hope she wasnt just saying that b/c I confronted her about the wavelength, but I am hopeful that she was telling the truth and that indeed, 412nm bulbs will be available shortly. She said less than a month or so for sure. And that she would be calling EnLUX today to see what was going on and as soon as she found out, she would call me and let me know.
Other Info:
A Lumenis rep called me while I was typing this. He said that they have discontinued the ClearLight machine b/c it just wasnt working well. They now use their Lumenis One IPL machine. He told me that it was the Levulan that was working the best now, and people were focusing on activiating the Levulan. This occurs at a wavelength of 515nm. SO that is what they use for acne now.
I have used the ClearLight with outstanding results before though... and it puts out 412nm. I think they just decided to go with what works best. and that is apparently Levulan combined with 515nm light. I would imagine for those not wanting Levulan... blue light at 405-420 would be still the best option. 515nm by itself (no Levulan) should have very little if any effect on acne at all.
CONCLUSION
These are the brightest most powerful lights you can get.... im pretty sure of it.
Hopefully the 412nm will be available soon.
I will post updates of the treatment on this thread.
Questions welcome.
UPDATE 1.1:
SciART woman called me back. She got in contact with EnLUX... and they are checking on the status of the custom bulbs. I miswrote earlier.... they are not 412nm. They are actually 415nm. Which is not a big difference and still within the study parameters. Given fluctuation, you would get anywhere from 408nm to 422nm from the new soon to be arriving bulbs with the dominant wavelength being 415nm. They currently have a prototype in the office that one of the girls is using. EnLUX said the time frame to manufacture custom order bulbs is 3.5 months. It has been over two months already, so it should be soon. I'll keep up with it and post more updates here in regards to this matter.
UPDATE 1.2
I have now sent the Blue LED's back. I kept the Red LED. SciArt has now updated their website and they have a picture of the 415nm bulb up. I believe it is just the prototype but hopefully they will be shipping soon. More to come.
