Acne is a bummer. Whether you’re a teenager struggling through puberty or still fighting breakouts in your adulthood, acne can lead to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. But don’t let blemishes keep you from facing the world with confidence. Today there are more treatment options available than ever, including light therapies that don’t require harsh topical creams that irritate or dry out your skin. Read on to learn how you can achieve great results and get the clear skin you’ve always desired.
Acne is the medical term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Your pores are connected to the oil glands under your skin by a canal called a follicle. The oil from your glands carries dead skin cells to the surface of your skin and sometimes clumps together to cause a plug. The bacteria in the plug can cause swelling and forms a pimple. Though harmless and not threatening to your health, acne can cause scarring.
Light therapy uses non-laser sources of light that aid in preventing papules and pustules, or the everyday pimples most of us have experienced. When light is put on your skin, it penetrates various layers and helps kill acne bacteria and reduce inflammation.
The color of the visible light used in light therapy will determine how deeply it can penetrate your skin. Most dermatologist use red or blue light, or a combination of both to treat acne. Blue light is most commonly used, resulting in about a 60-70% reduction of acne. On the other hand, red light can penetrate your skin more deeply, making it able to reach sebaceous glands. When combined, red and blue light used together can maximize the benefits.
Light therapy is a pain-free procedure and can have lasting results when used on a continuous basis. There are several FDA-approved products on the market that make in-home light acne treatment possible. However, like most treatments, there are definite advantages of having the procedure performed in-office and under the care of a dermatologist. Though effective, light therapy is oftentimes used in conjunction with other treatment options to achieve the best possible results.
The Dermatology Center of Indiana services Brownsburg, Cicero, Crawfordsville, and Fishers along with many other cities throughout Indiana. Join us today in one of our locations where you are always welcome!
Disclaim: This blog provides general information and discussion about medical, cosmetic, mohs, and surgical dermatology. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed dermatologist or other health care worker.