Light Therapy for Adult Acne: Worth It or Not?
Acne is something that most people experience in their teenage years. Eventually, we all grow out of it but it does flare up now and again. Adult acne can be embarrassing and difficult to deal with, especially given our busy routines.
While it is a good solution to help mild to moderate adult acne, it’s an expensive process. So, keep reading to find out a better substitute to light therapy that delivers impressive results!
Light therapy, a novel and increasingly popular treatment, has shown promising results in the management of adult acne. This therapeutic approach involves the use of specific wavelengths of light to target and alleviate acne symptoms.
Additionally, everyone experiences acne differently. For some, it can be a constant battle while for others, acne is easily controlled. Anyone who experiences adult acne has an arsenal of skin care products such as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums.
Luckily, advancements in skincare now allow you to combat acne with the right kind of light. Yes, we’re talking about light therapy.
What is Light Therapy?
Light therapy makes use of two kinds of lights – red and blue. Both these lights have a specific purpose for improving skin.
- Blue Light – Kills bacteria
- Red Light – Prevents inflammation and promotes healing
Blue light therapy is particularly effective, as it targets the bacteria that cause acne, reducing inflammation and preventing new breakouts. Meanwhile, red light therapy works by reducing inflammation and promoting healing, thus improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of acne scars. Notably, these light therapies do not rely on UV rays, making them a safer alternative to traditional sunlight exposure which can exacerbate skin problems.
The skin is exposed for a certain time to these lights to induce healing, reduce acne, and prevent skin irritation. Most light therapy combines these two lights for maximum results.
Safety – When it comes to safety, light therapy is safe for almost everyone as it has very mild side effects.
Convenience – Light therapy is quite accessible as it is conducted by almost all dermatologists. So, you can easily visit any close-by dermatology clinic. It is also possible for you to conduct this treatment at home, given that light products are easily available.
Cost – The cost of getting light therapy largely depends on the cost of living in your area. Typically, a phototherapy session can cost you anywhere between $40 and $60 per session. However, you will require several sessions to see any proper results.
Efficacy – Light therapy is regarded as a very effective method to treat and get rid of acne lesions. It serves especially great for acne that is caused by bacteria and inflammation. Even though this isn’t the ultimate treatment for acne, light therapy is backed up by considerable research as a great acne management tool.
Is it More Effective than Traditional Methods?
Light therapy is useful for dealing with mild to moderate cases of acne. For severe acne, it is not always the best option because you’ll have to undergo more treatments. While using skincare products like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums are effective, some people – based on the severity of their acne— can benefit from getting light therapy.
The application of light therapy in treating adult acne is a convenient and non-invasive method. Treatments can be performed in a dermatologist's office or at home using specially designed devices. A typical session lasts between 10 to 20 minutes and is usually recommended several times a week for optimal results. The process is pain-free, with most individuals experiencing only a mild warmth on their skin. The convenience of at-home light therapy devices has made this treatment increasingly accessible, allowing individuals to integrate it easily into their daily skincare routines.
Additionally, the kind of skin specialist that you’re working with can make a marked difference. Their understanding of your skin translates into the results you get.
What to Expect During Light Therapy
You will have to find a good and reliable dermatologist before you commence your light therapy sessions. They will be able to tell you if you are an appropriate candidate for this treatment, what light they’ll be using, what to expect from it, and how many sessions you’ll require.
You are expected to avoid using various skincare products including retinol for at least two weeks prior to the commencement of your sessions. Also, you will need to inform your dermatologist about any medication or drugs you might be using, especially anti-inflammatory drugs. You will also need to avoid tanning beds and other unprotected and prolonged sun exposure a few days before your treatment.
A blue or red light therapy session typically lasts for 15 to 30 minutes. You will be required to lay down and place your head in a special device that is meant to keep your face still. A trained light therapy professional such as a dermatologist or nurse will apply pulses from a light therapy device to different parts of your face in a circular fashion. The treatment is concluded after multiple repetitions of the process.
Light therapy isn’t very effective for treating blackheads, whiteheads, and nodular acne; it is most suitable for those that experience mild to moderate acne. Also, light therapy doesn’t involve a single treatment; you will need to get at least two to three treatments per week, over a time span of four to six weeks to get started. So, if you don’t have the time or patience for these sessions, this treatment isn’t for you.
Your skin will get red or pink after a session, and you might even experience some mild peeling in the treated area. Skin sensitivity is another side effect of this treatment. So, you will probably have to skin your typical skincare routine for a few days, and especially avoid using scrubs, exfoliants, and topical vitamin A. Also, you will need to apply sunscreen religiously every day till your skin recovers.
Additionally, after the conclusion of your treatment, you will still need to maintain your skin via occasional follow-ups every couple of months, which will cost you an average of $50 a session.
Even though light therapy is great, it does come with a few hassles you’ll need to tackle.
Clinical studies and patient testimonials have affirmed the effectiveness of light therapy in treating adult acne. Patients often report a significant reduction in acne severity and an overall improvement in skin clarity and texture. While light therapy can be effective on its own, dermatologists often recommend combining it with other treatments, such as topical creams or oral medications, for enhanced results.
However, it is important for individuals to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning light therapy, as certain skin conditions or medications may affect its suitability or effectiveness. As research continues, light therapy stands as a promising, gentle, and innovative approach to managing adult acne.
So, what should you do?
Choose the right vitamin C serum!
Why Vitamin C for Skin is Still the Best Option
Light therapy is effective but it also has minimal results to offer. It’s also very new as compared to vitamin C skincare products. For starters, the benefits of a vitamin C facial serum benefits for skin are widely documented and proven. Apart from that, the following are a few more reasons why it’s still the best option for acne treatments:
- More Affordable – Vitamin C serums are affordable and available at different price ranges. In comparison, light therapy procedures can go up to $500 per session. At-home light therapy kits are more affordable but their results aren’t always the best.
- Improves Skin Health – all-natural vitamin C serum boosts collagen production in the skin, has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory qualities. It’s known for improving skin tone and texture and can combat acne on a cellular level. Light therapy has to be used with care and sensitive skin can get sun-burnt by the exposure.
- It’s Skin Food – Our skin benefits the most from vitamin C serums because they’re packed with ingredients that they need. A vitamin C serum can contain a blend of other beneficial vitamins, including Vitamin B3, B5, E, Hyaluronic acid and more. This blend can deeply nourish, restore and improve your skin.
In our opinion, light therapy is not worth it given the cost alone. $500 per session can be a huge cost to shoulder, especially if you require multiple treatments. So, we’re going to go with Vitamin C serums.
Are you searching for an effective vitamin C serum for face which works? Take a look at anti-aging vitamin C serum by ML Delicate Beauty. Don’t just take our word for it; our positive reviews speak for themselves!
So what’s your secret weapon to combat adult acne? Let us know if you have you ever used light therapy or are fans of Vitamin C face serums!
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About Author:
Christine Wright is a trusted beauty expert and an esthetician who is loved by editors and bloggers. She is a prolific writer on the topics of natural, chemical-free skin and body care. She also does reviews on store brand beauty products, with fairness and a real point-of-view. She is well-known of creating products for specific skin types, especially to those with ultra-sensitive faces.
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Opinions expressed are those of the writer.
2 comments
Jess,
It is never too late to take care of your skin and start a good skincare facial oil. You can try my recommendations on this blog and let me how it works out for you.
I have actually had so much luck with light therapy for my acne. I have struggled with it for years and finally caved into this kind of treatment and it actually worked. I wish I would have tried it sooner.