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Currently, I am on minocycline (oral antibiotic that is almost useless in my opinion), Stieva-A (a topical 0.025% tretinoin cream, similar to Retin-A) and I've just completed a series of 4 BHA (salicylic acid) peels (the peels seem to help after a week of getting them done but after that, my acne starts to get worse until a further week after the subsequent peel).
My dermatologist doesn't yet offer blue-red light therapy, so I purchased a Red and Blue Triple Head Acnelamp from AcneLamp.com. It should be arriving soon and I'm anxious to start using it because I've heard that it can give great results (especially so, since the red light should help with inflammation).
Here's the deal though: I've tried to read the medical literature on the topic as well as around these boards for information. The current consensus seems to be that blue-red light is safe with pretty much everything except isotretinoin (Accutane or the like), because it causes general photosensitivity.
However, there have also been some comments on the boards here about blue-red light causing irritation or other reactions when used alongside tretinoin like Retin-A or others. Should I still use blue-red therapy while on topical tretinoin? If I do use both, what are signs to watch out for that my skin might not be reacting well with the combination treatment and that I should simply use either or? If I've been on topical tretinoin for about 6-7 months and it hasn't been much help (albeit I was on only 0.01% for the first 4-5 months and now I've been on 0.025% for about 8 weeks), should I prioritize blue-red light therapy over topical tretinoin treatment?
Thanks!
If anyone could also point me to some literature on the subject (that is, if any has been written or published by, say, dermatologists or researchers), it'd be immensely appreciated: I do favor strong empirical evidence over anecdotal, as well as facts over guesses. Thanks in advance for your help!
Edited by MMontaigne, 25 April 2011 - 08:25 PM.
