GET YOUR FIRST TREATMENT KIT FOR FREE get started

GET YOUR FIRST TREATMENT KIT FOR FREE get started

Dermatologist Recommended

Your Cart is Empty

Start your journey to clear skin.
Take the quiz
Shop all products

Blue Light Treatment for Acne - Update

Blue light acne

Blue light acne treatment, invented by Dr. Yoram Harth (He’s who started MDacne, too!) and his team in 1998, was the first drug-free treatment approved for the treatment of moderate acne. This treatment can be used by itself or in combination with topical anti-acne products. Blue light acne phototherapy is used in tens of thousands of physician’s clinics worldwide and by millions of users at home. Here’s everything you need to know about blue light acne treatment!

Question: What is it?

Answer: When the sebaceous cyst is clogged, it dilates, allowing the P. acnes bacteria to proliferate in large amounts. These bacteria produce porphyrins which are chemical compounds sensitive to blue light. Acne phototherapy uses a special wavelength of light to destroy the bacteria that causes acne quickly and easily without causing any harm to surrounding tissue. When high-intensity blue light in a special wavelength (Around 425 nm) is delivered to the skin, a chemical reaction in the bacteria is triggered, killing the bacteria.

Q: Is it effective?

A: Acne phototherapy is the fastest and safest treatment available for acne-prone skin. The first system to get FDA clearance for acne treatment was Clearlight by Curelight Ltd. Studies in five continents have shown that CureLight’s violet/blue light effectively clears over 70% of inflammatory skin pimples in just a month.

Q: Are there any side effects?

A: Acne Phototherapy is among the safest skin treatments available. Acne phototherapy is UV-free and uses the violet/blue part of the spectrum. There are no known side effects.

Q: Who can get the treatment?

A: Almost anyone! Acne phototherapy has been proven to be effective on mild to moderate acne. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should consult their physicians.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: With Acne phototherapy, a typical treatment session takes only 20 minutes. You sit or lie comfortably while the light is applied and the treatment’s relaxing. Most important: It’s painless and safe. Patients often listen to music or sleep while being treated.

Q: How many treatments are required?

A: Treatments typically involve eight sessions — once or twice a week. Improvement is commonly observed after the fifth session. It’s essential to keep the appointments recommended by your doctor to hit the bacteria at their peak of light sensitivity.

Q: What about home-use acne phototherapy?

A: Acne phototherapy is based on the fact that light in a specific wavelength (Blue =425nm) reacts with a certain compound that the acne bacteria produce. The reaction between the light ad this specific compound produces another chemical that kills the bacteria. (porphyrins) start a chemical reaction that will destroy the bacteria. The first FDA-cleared high-intensity Blue Light systems ClearLight/iClear By CureLight Medical) proved high efficacy in acne treatment. Unfortunately, most blue light anti-acne home devices emit a low intensity of blue light, thus providing low efficacy. Although they’re less effective than clinic-based devices, they’re a good alternative.

Shop:

Blue and Red light devices for home treatment

To find the right acne treatments for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by clicking here.

Start your journey
to clear skin

  • Custom acne treatment cream, cleanser and moisturizer
  • Unlimited Dermatologist support
  • Ongoing skin monitoring