| As futuristic as it may sound, there is a new | | | | |
| skin blemish remedy called acne light | | | | So how does blue light therapy work? |
| treatment, also called Blue light therapy or | | | | |
| Clearlight. This is mainly for acne patients | | | | Basically, patients are exposed to a low |
| who have had little success with other | | | | intensity blue light source (405 nm to 420 |
| treatments. This amazing therapy focuses on | | | | nm) for 15 minutes twice per week for 4 |
| destroying the bacteria that causes most | | | | weeks. Each session costs between $50 and |
| forms of acne, propionibacterium acnes (P. | | | | $150, making a full course of treatment an |
| acnes). P. Acnes creates the small molecules | | | | average of $800. But, wouldn't you know it, |
| known as porphyrins that in turn help produce | | | | acne light treatment is considered cosmetic |
| the bacterium that causes most types of acne | | | | and is therefore not covered by insurance. |
| inflammation. Blue light therapy works by | | | | |
| homing in on the porphyrins. Strangely | | | | Another form of acne light therapy that is |
| enough, porphyrins that are exposed to the | | | | used more and more is known as pulsed light |
| blue light are able to produce free radicals | | | | and heat energy (LHE) therapy. |
| that destroy the P. acnes bacteria. | | | | |
| | | | LHE therapy uses both light and heat to |
| Acne light treatment is rapidly becoming a | | | | eradicate the root causes of acne. Very much |
| popular acne remedy because it is a fairly | | | | like blue light therapy, LHE therapy uses |
| easy and a drug-free way to help heal | | | | light to destroy acne-causing bacteria. It |
| blemishes. As you know, many topical | | | | also uses heat to reduce the production of |
| medications contain strong ingredients that | | | | sebum and to help shrink sebaceous glands. |
| damage sensitive skin, resulting in peeling, | | | | It is an attractive option for many acne |
| redness, and increased sun sensitivity. Ouch | | | | sufferers because it promises fast results. |
| ! But, Blue light (not the beer, if you are a | | | | Usually, improvement in the symptoms of acne |
| Canadian) therapy is widely regarded as an | | | | can be seen in as little as 30 days. Not |
| excellent alternative to most acne | | | | surprisingly, this is becoming popular |
| medications. Some individuals have expressed | | | | because it is a fast treatment, with most |
| concern over the safety of this procedure, | | | | sessions done in just over 10 minutes. The |
| becuase this procedure used to use | | | | FDA has approved LHE therapy for the |
| ultraviolet (UV) light that was harmful to | | | | treatment of mild to moderate acne. |
| the skin. Fortunately, modern Clearlight | | | | |
| treatments have been FDA approved and free of | | | | While different kinds of light therapies may |
| UV dangers. | | | | seem attractive, they can also be expensive, |
| | | | and may not be covered by most health |
| The FDA approved blue light therapy for acne | | | | insurance plans. If you are looking for an |
| in August of 2002. In studies, two 15-minute | | | | answer that is milder and less expensive, |
| exposures a week for a period of four weeks | | | | consider the many herbal therapies that are |
| produced a 60 percent reduction in acne in 80 | | | | available. Some acne sufferers swear by |
| percent of patients. Reported remissions from | | | | certain herbal supplements, including black |
| acne lasted as long as three to eight months. | | | | currant seed oil, evening primrose oil and |
| The first approved system of treatment, | | | | others. Follow the instructions on the |
| ClearLight, is now available through | | | | bottle or ask your pharmacist or doctor for |
| dermatologists. This method involves a new | | | | advice. Also, never take any herbal |
| therapeutic blue or red light that uses what | | | | medication if you are taking prescription |
| is called Acne PhotoClearingTM - APCTM | | | | drugs as their could be side effects. |
| technology. It targets and destroys the | | | | Consult with your Pharmacist or Doctor first. |
| surface of the acne and quickly and easily | | | | |
| repairs it. It is also known to be effective | | | | Visit a skin specialist or dermatologist for |
| in clearing inflamed acne in one month. | | | | more information on acne light treatments. |