Light Therapy for Acne is Extremely Expensive

There are quite a few traditional treatments for both acne and the scars it leaves behind. These include everything from topical applications like creams and lotions that can either help remove pimples and dark spots altogether as well as surgical procedures to help smooth out facial skin. A different approach, an alternative approach, is the use of light therapy for acne, also known as phototherapy, a fairly new but so far successful technique. Since it is an extremely expensive treatment, anyone considering using it should do a little bit of research before you wind up having to take out a mortgage.

What is Light Therapy?

Light therapy for acne employs a specific wavelength of light that is used to treat a person who is either going to be acne prone or has already suffered from the onset of acne. It is also used to treat people who have the scars associated with acne. The practice of light therapy is usually limited to trained and licensed dermatologists. The trained professionals use a variety of different tools to admit a specific wavelength of light used in the treatment. The tools include lasers, light emitting diodes (LEDs), fluorescent bulbs and dichroic lamps. One of the benefits claimed through use of light therapy for acne is that it also helps rejuvenating skin. Many people undergo this therapy in order to produce more supple skin that gives the patient a younger looking appearance.

Blinded by the Light

It may appear as quite ironic that light is used as a therapeutic treatment for acne, a skin condition. Most people nowadays realize that not all light is good for a person, especially the ultraviolet light that comes from the sun which has been studied and determined to not only do damage to the skin, but also cause acne breakout. The use of light therapy employs what is called "blue light," and is typically incorporated into a twice-per-week treatment program. This type of light therapy for acne can be used accompanied by red light therapy on a daily basis for patients suffering from acute acne situations and has been successful in more than 60 percent of the cases.

How Does Light Therapy Work?

There is a particular type of bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) that causes acne. This type of bacterium can exist without oxygen, so therefore it grows unabated under the skin away from any air. Light therapy employs several different ways in order to do away with P. acnes including blue light therapy that induces the bacteria to produce form-free radicals that effectively kill the bacteria with its own toxins. There are different types of light therapy that compel the bacteria to produce oxygen which, in effect, kills the P. acnes since it cannot live in this type of environment.

Products Available for Self-Use

Since there's been much documented success for the use of light therapy by trained dermatologists, the industry has come a long way toward developing light therapy boxes for people to use at home. These can be inexpensive alternatives toward seeking professional application. However, the actual strength of any light emitted from these boxes can be much lower than what is produced applied by a trained dermatologists resulting in the need for daily use.