Acne.org ProductsThe following side effects are expected during the light therapy course. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe and/or do not go away:
How Common (based on clinical studies)
| Skin peeling | Up to 60% of all users |
| Diffuse hyperpigmentation | Up to 55% of all users |
| Mild redness | Up to 53% of all users |
| Itching | Up to 50 % of all users |
| Stinging sensation | Up to 20% of all users |
| Dryness of skin | Up to 13% of all users |
| Acne flare-up | Up to 11.1% of all users |
| Pain | Up to 10% of all users |
| Rash | Up to 6.6% of all users |
| Headache | Up to 3.3% of all users |
| Cataracts | Incidence not known |
Light therapy may also cause other side effects that are not mentioned here. Contact your doctor if you experience any other troublesome symptoms after light therapy.
References
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- Kwon HH, Lee JB, Yoon JY, Park SY, Ryu HH, Park BM, Kim YJ, Suh DH. The clinical and histological effect of home-use, combination blue-red LED phototherapy for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris in Korean patients: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 168(5), 1088-94 (2013).
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- Diogo MLG, Campos TM, Fonseca ESR, Pavani C, Horliana ACRT, Fernandes KPS, Bussadori SK, Fantin FGMM, Leite DPV, Yamamoto ÂTA, Navarro RS, Motta LJ. Effect of Blue Light on Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review. Sensors (Basel). 21(20), 6943 (2021).