About 85 percent of teenagers suffer from pimples each year, making acne the most common skin condition in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The majority of acne cases respond to over-the-counter skin care products containing benzoyl peroxide. But some sufferers may need additional help in clearing their skin. BLU-U acne treatment, a light therapy that targets one cause of pimples, potentially can help.
Acne Causes
Acne results when the skin's sebaceous glands produce too much oil, according to the Mayo Clinic. The oil, called sebum, often combines with rapidly shedding dead skin cells to settle in pores and hair follicles, blocking them. Inflammation sets in when acne-causing bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes reproduces. As a result, pimples erupt and infection can set in.
Function
BLU-U acne treatment uses blue LED lights in a specific narrow wavelength to kill P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for inflammation in acne. Dermatologists generally recommend blue light therapy for people who have not responded to standard acne therapies, including benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin. However, some patients prefer BLU-U acne treatment and other blue light therapies to other treatments because the treatment does not involve a daily medication regimen.
Time Frame
BLU-U acne treatment does not work instantly to clear up pimples. Instead, the therapy involves a series of one to two sessions a week for up to five weeks. Treatment is painless. Patients sit in front of a set of blue lights for about 16 minutes. Side effects, which the American Academy of Dermatology says are mostly mild and temporary, include skin dryness and reddening and perhaps some swelling.
Research
Research backs the use of blue LED lights, including BLU-U acne treatment, for acne. In one study, for example, researchers at UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles treated 45 patients with blue light twice a week for up to eight weeks. Nine patients experienced complete clearing at eight weeks, and half of the patients said they were "highly satisfied" with the treatment. The study was reported in the April 2006 edition of the Journal of Cosmetic Laser Therapy.
Considerations
BLU-U acne treatment and other blue LED light acne therapies target only one cause of acne--bacterial proliferation. Because of this, the American Academy of Dermatology says some dermatologists reserve the treatment for acne cases that haven't responded to traditional topical therapies. If you're considering BLU-U acne treatment, consult with a dermatologist to determine if that treatment is right for you.
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