Phototherapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Light therapy is a temporary and time-consuming treatment option that produces only modest results. However, it is the least invasive of any acne treatment, and its only downside is that it reduces folic acid levels.
Phototherapy
How to Get It
Light therapy can be performed with stronger, professional light devices at a doctor’s office. Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one. Weaker light therapy devices are also available over-the-counter. Here are some places you can find it online.
Used Light Therapy? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
April 21, 2021
Product used: Gentlewaves (Amber Light)
Had this treatment at a salon
I had this light treatment at a salon. It was $50 and I used it 2x/week for 4 weeks. I stopped because I was noticing no benefit whatsoever. I hope it works better for someone else, because I cannot believe how much money I wasted!
April 21, 2021
Product used: Lumiport (Dermastyle Light Treatment)
Used years ago..think it's been discontinued
I used this product years ago, I think it's been discontinued by now. It didn't help me. Products like this don't treat preventatively, they only treat previously formed acne because they are so small and don't cover a large area.
August 5, 2017
Product used: Lumie Clear (Blue and Red Light Therapy Acne Treatment)
Fantastic
Been using this now for 3 weeks and the difference is crazy - I started with skin contact 15 mins once a day I then upped this to 30 mins for the last week I've been doing it. I found using it for 30 mins it has made more of a difference and have had 1 new spot in the past 7 days. Obviously will continue to use it as it's meant to be 8-12 weeks but nothing but positive results so far. This is a big difference from 1/2 new ones a day each morning. I have been using his alongside drinking 3/4 litres of water a day and cutting out junk food. I always found the sun massively helped my skin which is why I decided to use this light, I would highly recommend it to anyone who found the sun has a positive effect on their skin.
July 27, 2017
Product used: Love My Skin (Light Therapy Acne Treatment Compact)
Really works with repeated use!
This compact is great as it does really reduce inflammation over night, and with prolonged use it helps reduce scarring. Only thing I will say is the battery's run out often, you need to clean it regularly and you do need to use it repeatedly to see good results. Good product would highly recommend!
March 14, 2017
Product used: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Painful but DOES work!! 8/10.
IPL acne treatment (went once every 2 weeks). I hate my freckles, acne and has some new (never had before) red flat acne scars. I had 2 sessions of IPL laser facial (AKA Skin Rejuvination). She set it on a setting that would be anti bacterial and also reduce sun damage (freckles). It certainly got rid of ALL of my flat red acne scars. It also really really improved the loads of under the skin pimples (I'd say about 80% helped them). I didn't see any difference in the freckles but that was the least of my skin problems tbh. Maybe if I had more sessions it would have started to target them. It is quite painful to have done, and I've had IPL hair removal, tattoos, piercings etc. I'd say pain level is about 8/10 (maybe just because i'm freckily). It did definitely reduce the large, painful acne cysts around my jawline, however it didn't really prevent them from coming again,it just treated the ones that were currently there. But the clusters of under skin pimples it got rid of them and prevented new ones. I had to stop after the 2nd session as I am now pregnant. I am now having Red Light Therapy which is not painful, much cheaper, but obviously less effective. Nice effect after 1st treatment and going for another one today (once a week). Will 100% go back to the IPL treatment after I've had the baby. Think it really does work and worth the money (varies from £75- £150 depending on where you go).
July 5, 2016
Product used: Tria (Acne Clearing Blue Light)
Strongly recommended
I had moderate to severe acne to begin with and after 3 weeks of use my forehead is almost clear, and there is a lot less acne on my cheeks (mild to moderate now and fluctuates a bit). The blue light didn't clear my face up completely but it isn't meant to do that, and I'm really happy with the improvement. The instructions booklet says you can't use it on severe acne but what it really means is that you shouldn't replace treatment with the blue light. If you have severe acne then try it, but use other medications along with it (don't use it if you're using accutane though).
May 15, 2016
Product used: BeautySkin (Acne Lamp)
Excellent product! I recommend it to everyone that has acne!
Excellent product! I recommend it to everyone that has been struggling with acne. I've been using it for a month now and it's been the most effective treatment in years, more than antibiotics or creams etc. It does require loads of discipline of using it every day, improving your diet, especially ditching the sugary things. The thing I've mostly been impressed is how quickly it has reduced the inflammation.
Overall, this is a really good investment.
I have so much more confident in myself.
March 15, 2016
Product used: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
My freckles just flaked off
I found this treatment to be great for hyper-pigmentation -performed in a Dermatologist Clinic NOT A SALON!! TAKE CARE HERE PEOPLE 2 days after the treatment, whilst gently washing my face I noticed that the sun damaged and darker spots literally flaked off.
It also helped with some hyper-pigmentation from some old acne scars, looking forward to round 2. If you are going to invest in IPL then do your research as to the qualifications of the person and the machine used. Not all are the same.
In the wrong hands these devices can literally ruin your skin.
February 5, 2016
Product used: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
I've had both IPL and BBL
I've suffered from different degrees of acne starting around 12 - now 37 :$ I have had both IPL and BBL. Treatments I first got them to help get rid of the melasma and discolouration from sun damage over the years ... I found that it lifted the discoloured spots after about a week and they came to the surface looking like coffee grounds lol and flaked off! It helped the tone and evenness as well as tightened my skin a bit ! But what the nice thing was even though it was not typically used for acne treatment , It helped clear and keep my skin clearer than prior to the treatments! It's been a couple years since I've had a bbl and I'm starting to get hormonal changes possibly peri menopause starting but getting different acne now! Deeper and in WIERD places like behind my ears and jaw line! I be moved to another province now and tried to go in for a bbl but the girls there wouldn't treat me with bbl and said it's not for active acne ! I tried to explain I had it done before at a dermatologists but they are making me wait until it heals up! It's frustrating because I am allergic to the antibiotics and had to go for a MRI because I got swelling in my brain from acutane ( it's dangerous stuff) I had good results from IPL and BBL's and look forward to being able have another treatment! For me It helps with both acne and anti aging! Just wish the clinic where I am going to now realized this! I've seen the results on my skin but do acknowledge other people may have different results!! ? I've heard it can make skin conditions worse but I haven't experienced that so far and have probably had at least 10 treatments over the past 6 years ...