Acne.org Products
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
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 ...
November 4, 2011
Product used: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Cons:
- go in once a week for 8 weeks straight (or 2 times a week for 4 weeks)
I did my treatments at the Toronto Cosmetic Clinic and they used the Sciton BBL profile on me. I saw noticeable results after the first 2 sessions and I finished the 8 sessions and after 6 months after the full treatment I hardly get any break-outs!
[link removed]
May 8, 2008
Pros:
NONE
Cons:
hyperpigmentation & new lines and wrinkles, in addition to scarring and hypopigmentation from being burned by the laser
I made a serious mistake by going to a dermatologist that recommended Pulse Light Therapy when all I really needed was some light gycolic acid peels 20% that I could do at home. Turns out, the laser burned my skin so deep that it scarred me, left spots of hyperpigmentation AND I ended up with wrinkles around my eyes that I never had (I looked 5-7 yrs younger prior to the treatment). Boy I screwed-up and there is nothing that can be done now, but try to warn others before they make the same misktake. I thought because the person was a doctor they knew what they were doing. Truly, try less invasive techniques...I'm now doing glycolic acid peels twice a week. Sure wish I would have gone that route to begin with...I would have saved myself a lot of money, not to mention the tears and depression that resulted.
January 1, 2015
Product used: Lumie Clear (Blue and Red Light Therapy Acne Treatment)
Best treatment I've ever used - but the plug is dodgy!
This is the best treatment I've ever used! 100% cleared my skin, and without any side effects like dryness or redness. Ok yes it's a bit time consuming, 15 minutes per area, which in my case means 1hour, and you have to do it twice a day, but for the results you get its worth it.
I would have given it 5 stars, but for the fact that the plug/ wire attachment has burnt up twice, meaning I can't use it in the mean time while I post it off to the uk to have it fixed which is a hassle.
But other than that, I fully recommend and wish I had found it years ago.
April 21, 2013
Product used: Tria (Acne Clearing Blue Light)
Pros:
we are seeing improvement, no more ointments or pills! most acne gone... but still has scarring from past acne, so we are starting retin a today.
Cons:
cost... but worth it. slow, but is working! on 7th week.
we finally found something that is killing the bacteria without taking oral antibiotics or using ointments that were drying and burning to him.
April 6, 2012
Product used: Tria (Acne Clearing Blue Light)
Pros:
It really works with consistancy
Cons:
The cost of replacement cartridges.
I've been on all types of acne treatments it's nice to be off a medication and seeing results
May 15, 2010
Product used: Trophy Skin (BlueMD Blue Light Acne Therapy)
Pros:
Covers my entire face without having to move it around. Really intense light, I can feel the acne tingling so that must mean something good!
Cons:
The base is a little light, could be heavier so the whole thing is more sturdy.
It really worked for me, cleared up my acne significantly within a few weeks and now I use it about 1-2 times per month just to keep the acne at bay.
February 11, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
Among one of the best acne products I've used in the past 16 years. Does not, by itself, cause dryness.
Cons:
The 15-minute sit (just veg' out to some music - it goes by quickly). Generally not recommended for cystic acne, but read on...
Wasn't expecting much since it says it's not for cystic acne (which I have a mild case of). But I've used everything over the years, and this was something I hadn't tried. Bought the product direct from the mfg, as it was the same price as common retailers, and I wasn't sure if you'd get the mfg's 12-week money-back guarantee if you purchased it through a retailer. Within days, I was noticing a difference. When I started, I had several large cysts that were very painful. Within days, they started to reduce in size, and disappeared MUCH more quickly than they usually would have. This light *definitely* reduces swelling (which the literature states it does). Also, as gross as this is: if I feel the need to "pop", the pimples don't seem as "filled" as they were before. I do still get new pimples (never as often or large as before) but I think it's because I am not being diligent enough about using it x2/day, every day. With a 12-week guarantee, I recommend givin
April 16, 2007
Pros:
Smoother results for 1 month..stopped break outs for 2 months
Cons:
Expensive...swollen for 3 days...felt as if my face stayed swollen a bit..Face looks fat as if sweling was slightly maintained
The Treatment
1. Microdermabrasion
2. Levulan Application
3. 30min Blu-U
4. IPL treatment (feels like an elastic salp on your face 100X per cheek) I did this full treatment twice 900$ x 2
October 25, 2013
Product used: Sirius Aurora (LED Light Therapy System)
LOVE
Pros:
Price!
So gentle
Zero side effects
Cons:
None that I see yet!
I love this device! I got in on Amazon for only $75, so considering getting treated at the derm or even lots of other light therapy devices, it was a total steal. I started out just using the blue light and I could tell bumps weren't getting as big as usual, so that was nice. Then after a week I started using red light before the blue, and within about three days everything inflamed or active WAS. GONE. I'm not saying that will happen for everyone but you should at least try. Haven't tried the green light yet so I don't know about that, but blue and red are awesome. It clears as well as BP with no side effects so I'm finally off BP
Pros:
- not painful
- quick
- not to expensive
- it worked!!!