What Are the Benefits of Using Blue Light Therapy for Skincare?

Blue light therapy is a popular acne treatment for people of all ages. What many don’t realize, however, is that dermatologists have provided blue light therapy to patients for years to achieve essential skincare goals. 

As the uses for blue light therapy expand, light therapy devices have become more available and affordable for home use. Learn what blue light therapy is and its applications and benefits for your skincare.

What Is Blue Light Therapy?

Blue light therapy uses natural violet or blue light, within a specific wavelength range, to treat the skin. Therapy devices use light from a light emitting diode (LED) bulb to target highly specific areas. The light penetrates the skin, reaching pores and hair follicles and the sources of skin problems like acne and discoloration. It can be used for conditions on the skin’s surface or just underneath. 

Blue light therapy is sometimes used in combination with red light therapy, which has its own applications. Light treatments are especially attractive for those with sensitive skin, who may experience adverse reactions to topical retinol creams or dermabrasion, for example. However, many people with all skin types find LED light therapy effective, affordable, and convenient. 

What Are the Health Benefits of Blue Light? 

Blue light benefits the skin in various ways. Research studies demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing acne. And, dermatologists have used blue light therapies in their practices to treat a number of conditions for many years.

Blue LED light therapy benefits for skin include: 

Blue Light Therapy for Acne

One of the most significant blue light therapy benefits is its ability to reduce and prevent acne. Its short wavelength targets close to the skin’s surface, unlike red light, which penetrates deeper. 

So, what does blue light therapy do to your skin? Essentially, it works in two ways: 

• By destroying bacteria around the sebaceous glands that generate oil
• By making the sebaceous glands produce less oil

The light destroys the DNA in Propionibacterium acnes, the bacterium that causes acne and its accompanying inflammation. By targeting bacteria at its source, the blue light can diminish acne and prevent future acne from occurring. Preventing acne leads to less scarring while reducing oil and stabilizing oil glands enhances the skin and keeps it looking healthier overall. 

Blue Light Therapy for Psoriasis and Eczema

Two studies found blue LED light therapy benefits skin conditions like mild to moderate psoriasis. Psoriasis essentially causes skin cells to reproduce out of control, causing scaling patches on the skin surface. Psoriasis scales appear as shades of purple and grey on brown or Black skin, and red and silver on white skin.

There is no cure, so patients must focus on managing symptoms. Some sufferers find relief from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as sunlight. But, since sunlight carries the risk of skin cancer, blue light therapies can offer an alternative.

One study determined that blue light reduces keratinocytes — the skin cells plentiful in those with psoriasis. Another study found blue light skin technology effectively reduces lesions caused by eczema. 

Experts are still researching blue light and its long-term efficacy for these conditions. However, current studies show promise. 

Benefits of Blue Light Therapy at Home vs. the Dermatologist’s Office

Some people visit a dermatologist or clinic for blue light therapy, but most portable home devices use the same medical-grade LEDs, making it easy to administer anywhere. That said, ensure you’re using a high-grade device with FDA clearance, rather than a knockoff. 

Blue light treatment sessions administered by a dermatologist can be anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes long. A doctor typically recommends four to six treatments for acne, followed by maintenance appointments every six months. With home treatment, you can choose the amount of time per session and the frequency—within the recommended range. 

Home treatment for blue light therapy can take more time, but since you can complete your sessions on your schedule, you could potentially see a difference sooner. Plus, you can save on costs. For example, your device might even be covered by your FSA or HSA pre-tax healthcare funds.

As another bonus of home treatment, you can choose an LED device that combines red and blue lights, allowing you to target acne and signs of aging, like wrinkles, at the same time!

Blue Light Therapy FAQ

If you’re considering blue light therapy, you might have a few questions about how it works and how long it may take to see results. A few of the most common questions people tend to have about blue light therapy include: 

1. Does Blue Light Therapy Help with Wrinkles?

While blue light therapy can treat acne that can cause wrinkles, red light therapy is best suited for reducing fine lines and signs of aging since it boosts collagen. Combining blue and red light therapy can produce greater effects, as blue light is preventive against acne while red light reduces inflammation, treats sun spots and other skin imperfections. 

2. How Long Does it Take Blue Light Therapy to Work?

Acne treatment is one of the most rapid-acting results of blue light therapy. After just a few treatments, many report less acne. Small, handheld blue light devices enable you to precisely treat acne-prone areas. 

We suggest you take before and after photos to monitor your progress, and always wear goggles when treating any part of your face around the eyes. To maximize your results, use your device in one treatment area for three minutes, holding it steady. After three minutes, you can move to the next spot. 

3. Does Blue Light Help with Inflammation?

Red light therapy penetrates deeper than blue light, making it especially helpful for inflammation. Combining red and blue light can provide the best results for your skin to reduce inflammation, sun and age spots.

Infrared is another option that goes deeper than red light. Its rays penetrate the skin to reach nerves and muscle tissue. As the cells absorb the light, it increases blood flow to reduce inflammation and repair injuries, making it ideal for those with chronic pain and arthritis.  

Try Our reVive Light Therapy™ Blue Light Devices

The best way to see how blue light therapy reduces acne and improves your skin’s appearance is to see for yourself. Safe, affordable, and convenient home blue light therapy devices provide a simple way to discover the potential of this powerful treatment. 

Additionally, you can choose an LED device that combines red and blue lights, allowing you to target both acne and signs of aging!

Shop now for your ideal reVive light Therapy™ blue light device.