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
July 8, 2010
Product used: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
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.
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.
April 18, 2010
Product used: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Pros:
Fades red marks (hyperpigmentation) from acne
Decreases pore size
Decreases wrinkles
Cons:
Can get expensive
Painful (depending upon the settings)
Semi-permanently removes facial hair for guys
May cause slight breakout after treatment
I had some moderate acne that I picked at (before I knew better). This left me with some pretty severe hyperpigmentation. The IPL completely fixed these red marks in a matter of months, as opposed to the years it would have probably taken otherwise. I got a treatment every three weeks, and it probably took 6 or 7 treatments to completely eliminate the red marks. It's important to say, only invest in IPL once you're SURE that your acne is under control for good. I paid upwards of $700 total ($100 per treatment...this is a pretty good price) to get perfect skin and then I had a pretty bad flair-up a few months later. I would also suggest only going to a trained dermatologist for your treatment, not to a "medical spa." But if you have stubborn red marks definitely give this a try.
April 12, 2010
Product used: BeautySkin (Acne Lamp)
Pros:
Cleared up my skin better than anything else I've ever used-- and I've tried everything! (Accutane, Retin-A, Duac, Cleocin, antibiotics, Proactiv). Very effective for me-- it works!
Cons:
The ticking timer is kind of noisy, but I just listen to my iPod while I have the light on. Need to be consistent about using it-- in the beginning, every day; later, several times a week. However-- it's worth sitting for 15 min. a day!
I don't know if this works for all types of acne, but it worked really well for me and I have had acne for at least 17 years (I'm now 30). I've gone to many dermatologists and tried EVERY imaginable product or method to treat it. After noticing that my acne always improved immediately (to the point of totally clear skin) after vacationing in the sun, I thought that a skin lamp might be most effective. Fortunately, I was right! I was lucky to find the lamp on Ebay for only $70.00 (including shipping), I still would've paid $250.00 for it (which is the original price). If it doesn't work for you, you could probably re-sell it online, as well. Anyway, as you can see, I can't say enough good things about this product! IT WORKS! :)
January 9, 2010
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
Compared to some other units I have purchased this seems well made.
Unlike some reviews I like the bulkyness as you get more complete facial coverage.
Cons:
Wish it had a tilt control so you could sit more comfortably in front. The thickness of the removable front cover seems to be a safety feature which may serve to reduce the lights effectiveness.
I have suffered from moderate acne my whole life but I have always know the sun can clear it up. Unfortunately, until recently this was not an option due to the UV damage that goes with it. Luckily science has finally solved this problem and brought the benefits of sunlight indoors. Now for all those people that claim the technology does not work after only a few weeks of use brief use. Have you considered that almost all acne treatments make your skin appear worse before you begin to see continued improvement. Let me give you a perfect example of this. Recently I did an at home chemical peel and what I noticed is the day after its use my skin was full of little of little pimples. Why I wondered? Because the peel brought these "future" pimples to the surface. I knew the peel could not have caused this and sure enough winthin a few days they were all gone! In otherwords the peel did not cause the pimples; it simply brought them to the surface were they could be shed. Think of it another way. The blue light simply kills the bacteria it does not remove it. Your body still has to expel these. The problem is people are looking for immediate results and the body does not work that way.
December 16, 2009
Product used: ClearLight Acne Treatment
Pros:
Clearlight worked as it promised. My daughter had cystic acne and after the treatments her skin was beautifully clear and smooth! Changed her life and we are delighted. Thank you clearlight!
Try clearlight because it really works.
November 6, 2009
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
It works! No messy creams to run out of, nothing to take or apply, no side affects.
Cons:
Problems finding time to use when on a strict schedule, not really transportable. Annoying sometimes to sit with your face in a bright light for 15 minutes if busy.
Well worth the money. It made a huge difference in my acne. It noticeably reduces swelling and redness in the breakouts I do have. I use this in conjunction with Rezamid and regular face washing. You need to use it when your face is totally clean! Don't apply anything to any blemishes until after you're done. You also need to get a strict 15 minutes in every day... if I miss more than two days, I start breaking out bad.
July 9, 2009
Product used: BeautySkin (Acne Lamp)
Pros:
really does work, like the sun but without the uv damage, you have to be dedicated, i have been using it for about 3 years now rarely missing a day except holidays and have had near totally clear skin which is definatly worth a few minutes each night
Cons:
can become a chour but just stick on some music and its not to bad.
really works
pricy but well worth it (think how much money you waste on other useless stuff!)
be dedicated and you will get results
i combine this with duac cream which i put on after using the lamp and before bed- my skin has never been better and i am one of those tried everything and nothing works ive had acne for ever! people.
July 4, 2009
Product used: Omnilux (Light Treatment)
Pros:
No pain involved, no downtime.
Cons:
Need to do it frequently for long term results. See even better results for mild cases of acne.
I loved it and found it a good in-between before I could save up for my laser procedures. You need to go twice a week for about 4 weeks for a full cycle of treatment so that can be pretty time consuming. Overall I highly recommend the procedure. I wasnt as oily and my skin looked had a better look on the surface.
July 2, 2009
Product used: BeautySkin (Acne Lamp)
Pros:
Works very well at clearing acne, of all variations. Mine is moderate inflammatory acne. Even accutane failed to clear my acne. Light therapy using the beautyskin box has cleared me up 100% and i only need to use it every other day now aswell.
Cons:
Needs a bit of dedication to begin with, persistency is the key. Initial cost is relatively high but when compared to how much can be spent on constant use of other products, it is pretty good actually.
Would recommend this over anything else i have tried.
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