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
June 13, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Cons:
You can't miss a day or else acne will flare up a bit.
I have switched on and off antibiotics and bcp since I was 12. bcp worked for me the best but its not very healthy. Neither are antibiotics but the light has helped me reduce my tetracycline use to 1 pill instead of two. The light helps with prevention and healing of acne.I definitely saw a difference.
May 10, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
Bought for two sons with moderate acne. Both continued with Duac and Differin while using lamp. The lamp markedly improved their skin, but has not totally cleared it. Greatly reduced cystic acne.
Cons:
As with any treatment, have to use everyday. Wish my kids were more consistent.
Well worth a try. Verilux offers a money back guarantee if it doesn't work for you.
April 30, 2008
Product used: Omnilux (Light Treatment)
Pros:
I ad this done when I was about 15 and my skin became perfect! Smooth clear and even. The ONLY thing to ever work! It's magic! lol I highly recommend it I finally had confidence in myself and a much higher self esteem
Cons:
Its been about 5 yrs later and my skin is acting up again but only a quater as bad as it was originally so ive booked myself in next week to have a few more treatments. It makes ur skin a little sensitive just after BUT ITS WORTH IT!!!
Its worth it. I feel so much better about myself and dont have to clog up my pores with thick makeup.It is expensive but definitely worth it
April 13, 2008
Product used: Lumiport (Dermastyle Light Treatment)
Pros:
Simple to use and seems to be very effective as preventative care, as well as helping some deep pimples heal sooner. I use the blue light to prevent and treat pimples and occasionally the purple. Because it's light-based, there are no reactions.
Cons:
Small area of tip means a long time to treat your entire face. The red light doesn't reduce inflamation for me as descirbed.
The up-front cost is high, but it's a one-time thing and so equivalnet to topical solutions over a year to two. I like combining a Zeno zap and then 5 minutes with the Lumiport's blue light-- my cystic pimples stop growing and usually are mostly healed in two days. If you can be consistent and have the time, the Lumiport seems best as a pimple preventer.
March 24, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
clearer skin, less acne.
Cons:
kind of straining on my back to sit there and lean forwards towards the light. i got impatient a lot too. sometimes i forgot, and if i missed 2 days in a week i'd break out. and at first i got headaches from the bright light.
i've been using this along with minocycline and my skin has gotten MUCH better. it is not perfect but no more cystic acne!
March 11, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
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
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
February 8, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
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.
January 1, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
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.
December 27, 2007
Product used: Omnilux (Light Treatment)
Pros:
Really has helped with my hormonal acne on chin...seems to keep the "bug ones" away. I love it and will continue to use it in the future.
Cons:
I get a little red right after the treatment--but think it may be too close to my face...my nose touches it?!
I pay $60/Tx approximately twice weekly or once weekly for about 5 motnhs and think my skin is the best it has been in a long time. I am sensitive and my blemishes have reduced in size, redness and frequency. I also like Smoothbeam Tx's that help dry up the sebacous glands and help with very minor scarring I have. You have to continue the Tx's for at least 4-6 weeks to give your skin a chance to adapt to the light therapy.
Pros:
visibly reduces acne about 80% if you are consistent.