Phototherapy
Reviews
3.2
253 Reviews
Phototherapy
Efficacy
51%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Phototherapy
Side Effects
Low
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.
Read All About Light Therapy
Compare To Other Treatments
5
29.2%
4
24.1%
3
9.9%
2
12.6%
1
24.1%

Used Light Therapy? Rate It:

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May 15, 2013
If you have ACNE, welcome to the Holy Grail of beauty products. I was really skeptical it would work for me, because the only thing that's ever worked on my skin is dermatologist prescribed topical creams or peels. Well, hey, I thought I'd give it a shot. Background: I have very fair, combo oily/dry skin with mild to medium breakouts and scarring. I'm 25 years old. Not sure if that matters, but everyone else seemed a little more mature in their reviews. Red filter- Used it once so far. I noticed that my skin looked less red and splotchy afterwards. Plan to use it again. Green filter- Honestly... It says it's for hyperpigmentation, but I didn't notice any difference. Used it once. Maybe that's the problem. Blue filter- UN-FREAKING-REAL. I actually can't believe it. It worked the very first time and I can't stop using it. Like I said, I have mild to medium breakouts depending on how much I sweat working out, time of month, etc. and this stopped my zits after 1 use. The day this delivered, I had a huge zit forming on my nose- it really hurt to touch it and it was swollen. I used the blue filter exactly like the directions said, and it was LITERALLY GONE. I mean, gone. The spot where it was became flat, all the redness was gone and it didn't hurt at all. I thought to myself, "Wait until the morning and see if this actually worked." Still gone. I am not kidding. I've used it the most of all the lenses. I usually lay in bed and watch t.v. through my tanning-glasses-things (which I bought for $1.82 on Amazon for this, and you really need them) and use the tool. The tool itself looks and feels a little cheap. You have to leave it plugged in while using it, but the cord it long enough that you could use it anywhere and be comfortable. It is really bright and you need the tanning-goggle-things. Don't go without, the light can be really annoying and I get paranoid about burning something into my cornea. So, in closing, if acne is your main problem, save up for your cash and get this. You will not regret it. If you're looking for aging/hyperpigmentation help, you might want to stick to the dermatologist's office.
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March 13, 2008

Pros:

Not that difficult to use; easier than all of the creams, pills, lotions, potions, etc. Reputable company; refunded 100% of the purchase price including S & H.

Cons:

Did not work at all. Made my skin kind of itchy and flushed in appearance. I gave up on it after about 8 weeks. Bulbs are very bright and give off quite a bit of heat.

Although I was disappointed, especially after reading all of the positive reviews, it might not hurt to give it a try if all else has failed. The customer service at Verilux was very nice and as stated earlier, I did receive a 100% no-hassle refund.
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September 27, 2011

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Waste of money, stings when getting zapped with the light.

I spent around $500, if not more and it made my skin worse, red marked, blothcy, the large pores on my nose seem bigger and uglier... I would not recommend!
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July 8, 2010

Pros:

It has proven affective according to several studies.
It has very good long term remisson results.
Normally a person will see results in 1/3 the time compared to anti-biotics and creams

Cons:

it is expensive
Don't expect your face to clear over night with this
it does hurt

I have suffered from acne since I was 11, and I have tried everything except accutane. My mom is scared to put me on accutane. A friend of my moms told us about IPL and what good results her daughter got with it. I start my first treatment on monday, but I have reasearched it and I talked to my skin care tech. IPL according to my resaerach works in two ways first it kills the bacteria in your face. The light will cause oxygen to kill of bacteria. Then there is another light that will shrink the oil glands in the face so that away they are not over producing oil. With these two factors combined treating acne with IPL is not a losing battle. According to my resaerach remisson rates last six months to a year. You may have to do a sopt treatment every few months but that beats medicines and creams. You will also want to do a chemical peel to help with the effectiveness of the IPL, it helps with getting rid of dead skin. Yes these treatments are expensive, I am suspose to only get 3 IPLS and 3 chemical peels and altogether it will cost $1300. If you think about it this is cheaper than pills,creams, and washes. One thing to keep in mind is that this is not an over night treatment it will take a few sessions to get maximum results. Yes accutane can be affective, but it doesn't always work thats rare but still. If you want to avoid accutane and actually have a chance at fighing acne this is a good option. IPL's can be performed by derms, plastic surgeons, skin care techs, and even at med spas. One minor note if you are tanned or dark skined you can still do IPL's you may need more than everyone else. I highly recomned this the girl that I know that underwent this has been in remission for over four years. Remission rates vary from person to person, but it is still worth a try.
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September 1, 2008

Pros:

Zip

Cons:

Doesn't work

Don't waste your money. I tried this for a month and it had absolutely no effect. I feel stupid.
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March 11, 2008

Pros:

Doesn't hurt. Can get your money back if it doesn't work.

Cons:

Did not do anything for my face at all. and could potentially be causing an INCREASE in acne.

I reviewed this product a few weeks ago-- now it has been 8 weeks, and I definitely used this product faithfully. My skin has been significantly worse, and I don't know if it just progressively was getting worse due to the light or if my skin was just on a downward spiral. I have been going to my dermatologist for years, and I was put on accutane when I was 16, and now I have to go back on it (i'm 22 now). (I'm only stating this to show how suddenly my dermatologist noticed my recent reoccurrence in bad skin). But I have read a lot about this product, and it does seem to work for a lot of people, so its worth trying it only because you can get your money back. But for me, my skin has hit a sudden all time low, so my skin was NOT meant for this product! I would say use this if nothing else is working for you-- but DON'T try it if you are just casually looking for a new remedy-- it could potentially screw up your skin
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January 1, 2008

Pros:

Works at least as well on surface acne as Dan's regiman, and is less harsh to the skin. In the long run the total cost of ownership of this vs. soaps, lotions, treatments, etc. will be much less.

Cons:

Does not prevent deep cystic acne. Does not cover sides of your face very well. You may need more than 15 minutes daily in order to cover your whole face. No way to travel with this thing as it's about 14" x 20" x 4". Goggles are uncomfortable.

If you have much clearer skin in the summer than at any time of year, because you are out in the sun a lot, this is for you.
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March 25, 2008

Pros:

none at all

Cons:

1. extremely dry skin
2. it made me break out in tons of whiteheads that are very red and itchy

I was very excited to use this product after reading some of the fablous reviews.I have had mild acne since about grade six.But in grade seven after being under alot stress i broke out severely on my forehead.I had to use stevemicien gel to get rid of it.After that i had nice perfect skin most of the time with the ocasional flare up. But this year i was again under a huge amount of stress and i broke out all over!I wanted to use products like clinique and proactive but i am allergic to certain chemicals in those products.So i bought the Verilux acne light because it was a chemical free treatment.I used it faithfully for 8 weeks and never missed a session.After a few days of using it i started to break out in small white heads all over.I kept using the light hoping that they would go away but they just continued to get worse and worse.Finally after eight weeks i quit using it.Now i am stuck with a itchy read rash and hundreds of whiteheads.The bottom line is i wish i had never used it.
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February 8, 2008

Pros:

Very relaxing. Really clears skin! In the beginning, it might make your face dry but when your face gets used to it, your face is always soft!

Cons:

The device is really big. You have to sit for 15 minutes but it is good for relaxation and mental health. Won't do anything for clogged pores or blackheads.

So, it really does clear your skin. It takes awhile though. The first couple of days I was really clear and my skin felt a little dry. At the end of the first week, I broke out. After a couple of weeks, I am usually clear unless I forget to do it a couple of days in a row. You definitely have to turn your face if you get acne on your cheeks, which I do. The light won't get to the sides of your face unless you turn from side to side. Your face becomes really soft. The device is kind of big so I don't know how I am going to travel with it. For me, the light makes it so any zits I get kind of skip a step. They will show up and the next day they will be healing, as if I had popped it. I sort of miss picking at my zits...an oddly fulfilling bad habit. But it is really good, especially for people that scar. Unfortunately, the light doesn't do anything for preexisting scar or dark marks. But it will prevent new ones! I would suggest washing face with Basis wash beforehand.
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October 17, 2007

Pros:

It works. I don't have any problem sitting in front of it - I zone out with my ipod and a couple tunes later i'm done!

Cons:

When I first received it one of the bulbs was cracked - but I called customer service and they sent me a new bulb, no charge.

I like it. It's painless, it works and doesn't take much time. I'd recommend to anyone. My acne is moderate with occasional flare-ups. This lamp does a good job of keeping my face clear. I also wash my face a few times a day.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.