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Benefits Of Red Light Therapy For Acne

Red Light Therapy For Acne

Red light therapy uses visible light to penetrate the skin where it can enhance cell function, resulting in clearer skin and a reduction in the visible signs of aging. It is a safe, non-invasive treatment which has hardly any side effects, and those which do occur are usually minor and very short lived. It is tolerated very well and many people who have used it have seen great results that they have not been able to achieve with other treatments.

Light therapy is very popular in Hollywood, with celebrities such as Kim and Kourtney Kardashian and Jessica Alba having light therapy facials. Despite the expense of salons, red light therapy is no longer only available to the rich and famous. Devices can now be bought for use in the comfort of your home, with a much more comfortable price tag than visiting a spa.

The main benefit of red light therapy for acne is that it has been found to reduce inflammation. This means it can reduce painful swelling and therefore decrease spot size. Red light therapy also stimulates how cells make energy, giving them a higher metabolism. This means the cells function better, including making proteins like collagen more. Collagen keeps skin elastic and plump and gives an overall youthful appearance.

Red light is also able to improve circulation, which improves the flow of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the cells enabling them to function better. This also includes improved lymphatic drainage, which is the method by which the body clears away waste products. By encouraging lymphatic drainage, the body is able to flush away impurities and toxins which can cause spots and pimples.

How Long Should I Use Light Therapy? Click here to read about it.

What Has Collagen Got To Do With Red Light Therapy For Acne?

Red Light Therapy Collagen

Collagen production can be enhanced by red light therapy, which can mean softer, suppler and more youthful-looking skin.

By using red light therapy, you can delay the visible signs of aging due to the increase in collagen, and you may find that your spots are less likely to scar because the healing process is more efficient.

Is LED Light Therapy Safe For Eyes? Find out by clicking the link.

How Does Red Light Therapy Improve the Symptoms Of Acne?

Acne Pimples

Acne pimples can reduce in size as the swelling and inflammation around them reduce. This can decrease both the appearance of them and the associated pain.

Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is caused by sensitivity to hormones and often occurs during pregnancy or before periods. Red light therapy can ease and reduce the symptoms of hormonal acne by decreasing the inflammation and therefore reducing the accompanying pain and speeding up the recovery time so that the pimples do not last as long. Improved cell functions may also make your skin less sensitive to the hormones over time, reducing further breakouts.

Acne Scars

Red light therapy has been shown in many studies that it can speed up and improve the way skin heals. By promoting more efficient healing and improving the skin’s collagen levels, you may notice that the red light therapy not only helps prevent scars from occurring but that the appearance of established scars can reduce over time.

Red Light Therapy Bed For Acne

For the treatment of acne on a wider area such as the back, red light therapy beds can be used. These are like tanning beds, but they emit safe, visible red light instead of harmful ultraviolet (UV) light, which is well-known to cause damage to cells and tissues. The treatment of red light therapy in a bed is the same as red light facials are, but it is done on a larger scale.

A more convenient alternative to red light therapy beds is buying a light therapy device that you can use at home. At-home devices come in many different shapes and sizes and enable you to treat yourself in private when you most need it.

To find out more and see the light therapy devices we have reviewed, click here.

Acne Light Therapy Devices

Acne light therapy devices are safe, affordable and effective for use at home. They are a great alternative to expensive spa light treatments and you will have them to hand when you need them most. You do not need to use any harsh products with them, and you can use them in the privacy of your own home.

What Is Yellow Light Therapy Used For? Click to learn more.

Acne Light Therapy Mask

Acne light therapy masks are great for treating facial acne and can smooth the visible signs of aging. Many combine red light therapy with the benefits of blue or green light therapy. Masks are a one size fits all shape, but are specially designed to fit the contours of your face allowing even coverage and a comfortable fit. Many have built-in eye protection to you are free to carry on with the housework or sit back and relax in front of a film while you are treating yourself.

Blue Light Therapy

Blue Light Acne Mask

What is Blue Light Therapy?

Blue light therapy is a similar principle to red light therapy, but the light has different effects. In the past, UV light has been used to treat acne, but now that UV rays have been proven to cause skin damage and premature aging, other sources of light are now used instead. It is typically light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are used for blue light therapy, which produce a beam of visible light which doesn’t carry the risks that UV does.

Blue Light Cystic Acne

Blue light therapy is often used by dermatologists to treat acne as often the bacteria causing the acne are destroyed when they absorb blue light. It is a non-invasive treatment for those with acne that has not responded to other treatment options such as antibiotics (which may be due to antibiotic resistance.) This is often most effective in individuals with mild to moderate acne, but those with cystic acne can also get great results. Blue light therapy can also be combined with red light so that you can get the benefit of reducing inflammation as well.

Blue Light Acne Treatment Side Effects

Just like red light therapy, symptoms of blue light therapy are very rare and often short-lived. This can include swelling in the treated areas and minor temporary pigment changes.

Skin treated with blue light can often become dry after treatments, so make sure that you keep it moisturized. It may also be more sensitive to sunlight, so always wear adequate sun protection.

If you are taking medications or are using prescribed topical medications for your acne, speak to your dermatologist before using light therapy. Lue light therapy should not be used if you are being treated with isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane, because this drug and similar drugs make the skin a lot more sensitive to light (photosensitive), and you can cause more damage. Such drugs are categorized as retinoids.

Blue And Red Light Therapy Devices

There are many devices available for you to buy to use at home, which release red and blue wavelengths together. Some even include an option for green light which can help regulate circadian rhythms and can improve the sleep cycle. Light therapy devices come in many different forms, for example, you can buy masks for treating the face or handheld devices which can be as small as a pen which can be used to treat small areas. You can also get larger devices to treat wider areas.

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