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
September 1, 2008
Product used: Omnilux (Light Treatment)
Cons:
Cost high
Worked for me. Expensive but it worked.
April 13, 2007
Product used: ClearLight Acne Treatment
Pros:
None - I did the blue light w/levulan put on topically.
Cons:
My face was red, peeling, dried out and I began gettting alot of white heads ever since the treatment. My cysts have been a little less often. My skin has not improved. It has been worse.
I do not recommed the blue light with the levulan. I need to say that I have had blue light alone without the levulan a year ago and had great results. Maybe the levulan is what my skin reacted to?
August 14, 2010
Product used: Lumie Clear (Blue and Red Light Therapy Acne Treatment)
Pros:
Gives Good results
Painfree
Portable.
Has an automatic timer that switches off after the recommended treatment time so you dont have to worry about watching the mins.
Cons:
Only treats a smallish area at a time
Depending on how large an area your acne covers it can be hard to find time to use it for 15 mins each day on each affected area.
Has to be plugged in. It would be far more convienient if battery operated so that you could walk around with it when using it & carry on with other tasks
I have been using the Lumie Clear device for the last 12 weeks and have been really pleased with the results. I am 38 and have suffered with acne since my mid 20s Over the years I have tried lots of things to try and clear up my skin namely retin a, proactiv, salicylic acid, birth control pills, various creams and lotions all with little of no effect (With the exception of Roaccutane which did completely clear up my skin, but gave me anxiety attacks for a further 3 years and made my hair really thin so I wouldnt risk taking them again.
My worst areas of spots were on my forehaed and right lower cheek/chin so I have been using the Lumie pressed right up against my skin on each of these areas for 15 mins daily. The timer automatically switches off when the recommended time of 15 mins is over, which is good as the treatment can be both boring and relaxing and Ive fallen asleep a few times with it resting on my forehead. Lumie say that most people notice a difference in just 4 weeks with excellent results in 8-12 weeks. I noticed an improvement after 2 weeks of use - my skin was less red and spots were fading a lot quicker than normal. I would say I now only get 2-3 new spots a week which for me is absolutely fantastic as before I could get 15-20 a day pimples a day and they always seemed to take ages to clear up. My skin never ever had any clear patches where as now it is almost completely clear I cam really pleased with the results I have had from using Lumie Clear and hope that continuing to use it keeps the dreaded acne at bay.
October 8, 2008
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
None
Cons:
Doesn't work...
Does NOTHING at all... don't waste your time or money...
August 4, 2008
Product used: Omnilux (Light Treatment)
Pros:
NONE
Cons:
Omnilux made my skin 100x worse. I am breaking out like crazy. It did way more harm than good.
Before omnilux, I would never have considered myself someone with severe acne. Now I don't even want to go out of the house. I am very upset and displeased with this treatment. I went through nine alternating sessions of red and blue lights about five weeks ago. With every week, my skin has gotten progressively worse. I would not wish this treatment upon anyone. It has been the worst five weeks of my life. No one told me that my skin was going to get worse. Now they claim that it will get better in 12 weeks. How can I go through 12 weeks of absolute torture? This treatment is not worth your pain or your money. Do not do it.
October 7, 2006
Product used: Omnilux (Light Treatment)
Pros:
Soothes and calms the skin leaving a brighter appearance.
Cons:
Didn't really prevent new acne from forming.
I underwent 10 sessions of the red and blue light therapy and have been very pleased with the appearance of my skin after the treatments. I have moderate adult acne and moderate scarring. The light leaves my skin calm, and brighter looking. Unfortunately, the results do not last long, and the therapy has done very little to prevent new breakouts.
I would recommend this procedure as a way to look and feel good about your skin once a month, but not as a long-term solution to acne. It's worth trying however, since I have seen better results on other patients with worse acne.
January 1, 2010
Product used: Lumiport (Dermastyle Light Treatment)
Pros:
Easy to use, small, no chemicals involved
Cons:
expensive
Overall I find this device works for my acne. I'm 40 yrs old so my acne isn't as bad as it was when I was young, but if I am getting a bad one I use the Dermastyle and I really think it shrinks it more quickly than if I left it alone. I also use it with 5% benzoyl peroxide.
September 11, 2009
Product used: Verilux (ClearWave Light Therapy Acne Treatment System)
Pros:
I was very disappointed with this. My face broke out worse than ever - but I kept trying - and it got worse.
Cons:
They wouldn't give me my money back because they said I had been using it too long. Now I'm out $200 and I have more zits than when I started.
Don't even think of buying this. It's a heartache,
December 29, 2008
Product used: BeautySkin (Acne Lamp)
Pros:
Works. Doesn't make the skin itchy/red/flaky. Good for people who tend to clear up during the summer months because of exposure to the sun.
Cons:
Works slowly. Pricey. You have to be very consistent using it every day.
I've been on this treatment for around 2 ½ month now, and it's working very well. I'm using it once a day, and since I got acne all over my face i use it 3 times 15 minutes in one session for each part of my head (since it doesn't cover your whole head, sadly). I've skipped a day once in a while without any breakouts, and sometimes when I'm lazy I make the session last for 3 times 10 minutes. At first it might seem boring to sit there in front of the light for 30-45 minutes (might only be 15 for you of course but really, it's not. Just get some good music and it'll be over shortly. Compared to other products, this one doesn't make your skin itchy, red or flaky unless you sit too close to the light, in fact it makes your skin soft instead. I recently started on the regiment as well (1 week ago) and I've found out it's a very good combination. The regimen has already almost cleared the last bit of my acne in only 1 week without any breakouts.
July 2, 2008
Product used: BeautySkin (Acne Lamp)
took about 6 weeks to see a difference and after using for about 3 months acnes not completely gone but theres about 80% improvement which is more than ive had with anything else. my skin feels softer but as for red marks im not sure about any improvement- not to say that there hasnt been any, just that i was more concerned with improvement in active acne so ive taken little notice of any change in red marks or scars.
Pros:
Cleared my skin