Blue Light Acne Treatment Gets the Green Light
Acne Vulgaris is the most common skin disorder. Though not life-threatening, acne can be damaging to teenage and adult skin and can destroy the self-esteem of the acne sufferer. Due to the high incidence of acne, there are more treatments than ever now available. The practice of dermatology has become highly specialized and there are many cosmetic dermatologists operating today who work to not only help cure acne but also to cosmetically erase acne and acne scars.
One of the newest methods in cosmetic dermatology is blue light acne treatment, or photodynamic therapy. Patients sit or lie down in front of the blue light for approximately 15 to 30 minute intervals weekly for three to eight weeks or more depending on severity of acne. The narrow-intensity blue light wavelength helps to kill acne-causing bacteria.
A topical cream called Levulan may also be applied in tandem with blue light therapy. Levulan will cause the skin to turn pink and crust but it is also thought to help in overall reduction of acne and acne scars. Blue light therapy has been around since the 1970s but as an acne treatment it is a recent addition to cosmetic dermatology practice.
Benefits of Blue Light Acne Treatment
Blue light acne treatment is still relatively new and the long term side effects are not known. However, there are many immediate advantages to this form of skin therapy. The first is that patients can choose blue light acne treatment over other treatments which have known side effects. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to fight acne but long-term use can cause patients to become resistant to antibiotics in general, putting them at risk of infection. Accutane is another acne medication which can cause severe depression, suicidal ideation, and birth defects. Women of child-bearing age using Accutane must have monthly pregnancy tests.
A second benefit of blue light acne treatment is that patients don't have to deal with the daily hassle of remembering to take medications or apply topical creams. A third benefit of blue light acne treatment is that it is helpful for patients who have received negative results from other forms of treatment. Patients who have become resistant to antibiotics or topical creams now have another choice in treating their acne.
A fourth benefit is that home blue and red light acne treatment kits have been invented. For an affordable cost, acne sufferers can treat acne in their own homes. It is unknown whether these home kits are as beneficial as clinical blue light treatment and they are almost definitely not as powerful.
