More than 80 percent of all people are affected by acne at one point in their lives, according to "Science Daily." Although topical creams and medicated face washes are available at stores, they are not effective in treating acne for all people. For people who have severe, persistent inflammatory acne, a stronger treatment such as a blue light acne treatment may be necessary.
Who Needs One
Blue light acne treatments are specifically designed for people who suffer from inflammatory acne and for those who have not had success clearing their skin with other methods such as antibiotic topical treatments, benzoyl peroxide creams and other types of treatments. Blue light acne treatments are not meant for people who have only mild or moderate acne. This type of treatment is reserved for those who have severe and chronic acne, according to "Science Daily," because blue light acne treatments have not been extensively studied and may carry some possible side effects.
Frequency of Use
The Mayo Clinic states that blue light acne treatments work by exposing the skin to a low-intensity blue light, which is said to kill P. acnes, the bacteria on the skin that causes breakouts. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, blue light acne treatments can be very effective, but only if they are done in a series of treatments--usually eight treatments within four weeks. One treatment with blue light may kill the acne bacteria, but without continued use of blue light, the acne bacteria may come back, negating the effectiveness of the first treatment.
Effectiveness
In general, multiple treatments of blue light acne therapy are so effective that the FDA has approved the use of blue light therapy for the treatment of acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 31 patients with acne on both sides of their face were treated with blue light acne treatments on one side of their face only, twice a week for four weeks in a row. The side of their faces that had been treated with blue light had a significant reduction in acne and the side that was not treated with blue light acne showed very little, if any improvement.
Side Effects
Whereas blue light acne treatments can be very effective in decreasing the amount of bacteria present on the skin and reducing acne, the Mayo Clinic warns potential patients of possible side effects. These include temporary redness and dryness of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that additional side effects of blue light treatments could include swelling of the treated area and changes in the pigment of the skin.
Cost
Blue light acne treatments are only recommended for people who have tried many other acne treatment options, because they can be very expensive. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, each treatment session costs an average of $100 to $200. Although insurance companies do cover some other acne treatments, the American Academy of Dermatology states that insurance companies usually do not cover the cost of blue light therapy.
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