Blue Light Therapy: Everything You Need to Know

Blue light therapy is a popular acne treatment for people of all ages. Dermatologists have been providing blue light therapy to patients for several years now to help achieve essential skincare goals.

As the uses for blue light therapy expand, light therapy devices have become more available and affordable for home use. Home treatments allow you to improve your skin without taking a trip to a dermatologist. Learn what blue light therapy is and its applications and benefits for your skincare.

What Is Blue Light Therapy and How Does It Work?

Blue light therapy uses a light-emitting diode (LED) bulb to target particular skin problem areas. The LED light uses blue light within a specific wavelength range to treat the skin for various conditions. The light penetrates pores and hair follicles to reach the sources of skin problems, particularly acne and discoloration. You can use blue light therapy for conditions on the skin’s surface or just underneath.

Our LED lights aren’t cleared for treating psoriasis, but many of our customers with the condition have reported improvement in their skin after using our light therapy devices. If you struggle with the condition, it could be worth giving LED devices a try. LED devices are an alternative if you don’t want to undergo ultraviolet (UV) radiation treatment to find relief.

A 2015 study published in the journal Dermatology showed the results of blue light on psoriasis based on two clinical studies. It works, the researchers said, because blue light reduces the proliferation of keratinocytes—the skin cells that produce keratin.

Many people also use blue light therapy to treat acne since it can significantly decrease the number of breakouts and improve existing blemishes.

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

How Does Light Therapy Work for Acne?

People most often use blue light therapy to treat and prevent acne. When the pores on your face become clogged with dirt, excess oil, dead skin cells, makeup, and other debris, the pores swell and turn into bumps or pimples that you recognize as acne.

The short wavelength of blue light (400-480 nanometers) directs it close to the skin’s surface. Red light, alternatively, penetrates deeper. It works in two ways:

• Destroys acne-causing bacteria: Blue LED light destroys acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation, speeding up the healing process and reducing redness caused by breakouts. There are studies on the use of blue light therapy to destroy the DNA in the bacterium that causes acne. If you have bacteria-induced breakouts, you can find relief by using blue light therapy to destroy the bacteria and lessen your acne.
• Targets sebaceous glands: Blue LED light targets the sebaceous glands on the skin, which are the oil glands responsible for keeping your face and hair moisturized and healthy. These glands are often responsible for breakouts, especially in people with oily skin types. Blue LED light calms these glands to become less active, allowing your skin to heal from existing cysts or pimples and help prevent others from forming.

Preventing acne leads to less scarring in the future. Reducing oil and stabilizing oil glands keep the skin looking healthier overall.

Acne treatment is one of the fastest-acting results of blue light therapy. After just a few regular treatments, many users report less acne. Continued treatment can help minimize acne breakouts, especially when combined with other therapies. You can mix blue light therapy with most other acne treatments or a regular skincare routine for even better results.

Small, handheld blue light devices allow the user to precisely target acne-prone areas. You can use blue light therapy at any location on your body. While many people are prone to acne on the face, some experience acne on the neck, chest, or back. Blue light devices can be used to target these specific areas and improve the health of the skin.

Light Therapy at Home vs. a Dermatologist’s Office

Some people visit a dermatologist or clinic for blue light therapy, but our portable medical devices use the same medical-grade LEDs, making them easy to administer anywhere.

Many suppliers of portable LED devices aren’t medical grade, meaning they aren’t the same quality as what you’d find in a dermatologist’s office and likely don’t offer the same treatment grade. What sets us apart is the medical grade of our portable LED devices, allowing you to receive high-quality treatment from the comfort of your home. Make sure you’re using a high-grade device with FDA clearance rather than a knockoff.

A dermatologist can administer blue light treatment sessions 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.

While home treatment for blue light therapy can take more time, you could see a difference sooner since you can complete your sessions on your schedule. Plus, you can save on costs since the price of a device is often less than even a few ongoing treatments at a dermatologist. Your device might even be covered by your flexible savings account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) pre-tax health care funds.

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!

How Effective Is Blue Light Therapy?

LED light therapy has existed since the 1960s to treat chronic pain conditions. More recently, researchers have noticed that blue light therapy has various applications. Dermatologists have used blue light therapies in their practices to treat several conditions for many years, such as acne, enlarged oil glands, sun spots, acne-related scarring and skin texture. Blue light therapy is highly effective in treating certain skin conditions.

Research demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing acne. In this study, those who used blue light therapy over a placebo to treat acne experienced significant improvements in a shorter time range. Some individuals saw positive changes after just two treatments. People who continued to use blue light therapy daily saw further improvements and a quicker resolution for inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.

Our in-house consumer study looked at how effective home blue light therapy devices are at treating acne and related skin conditions. The study found that 100% of the participants saw an improvement in their existing acne, redness, and swelling during a two-week treatment period. During the two-week study, approximately nine out of 10 participants also noticed fewer new breakouts when consistently using blue light therapy.

Home blue light therapy devices can be an excellent option for those with sensitive skin. Because the treatment is non-invasive and doesn’t require topical medications, you can avoid skin irritation. Blue light acne treatment at home also allows you to treat your skin on your schedule. Rather than waiting on your next dermatologist appointment, you can conduct daily treatments at home and potentially see results sooner.

Benefits of Blue Light Therapy

Many acne treatments exist on the market, but none are quite like blue light therapy. Some prescription acne treatments aren’t suited to individuals with sensitive skin. However, blue light therapy comes with little to no risks if you’re using an FDA-cleared device. Blue light therapy is safe to use and has many benefits, including:

• Non-invasive: Blue LED light therapy is a painless, natural, and drug-free treatment. Unlike other acne treatments, blue LED light devices you can use at home won’t damage your skin, and you don’t have to worry about recovery time. Your skin can heal from acne and related conditions without a lengthy or invasive procedure.
• Multiple applications: Blue light therapy is commonly used to treat acne. You can use blue light therapy on any location on the body, including the face, arms, legs, back, and areas where you’re experiencing breakouts.
• Minimize scarring: Blue light therapy can help reduce the amount of acne you experience, minimizing the number of scars you may receive from untreated breakouts. Since blue light therapy helps reduce the prevalence of breakouts, you’re less likely to experience the inflammation that can cause acne scarring. Blue light therapy can also help minimize existing acne scars, further improving the health and appearance of your skin.
• Use with other treatments: You can combine blue light therapy with most other acne treatments to ensure the best results. Whether you follow a regular skincare routine with a cleanser and moisturizer or use prescription acne medications, blue light therapy can work with other treatments to speed up the healing process.

Rather than using acne treatments that may cause further skin damage or require an invasive and lengthy process, blue light therapy can relieve your acne symptoms or related conditions and improve your overall appearance. Blue light therapy is also ideal for individuals with sensitive skin since it’s not abrasive and comes with minimal risks, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep your eyes protected during treatment.

How Much Does Blue Light Therapy for Acne Cost?

The price of blue light therapy will depend on whether you choose to work with a dermatologist or use a home device. Prices at a dermatology clinic can cost $40 for a single treatment, with complete packages ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. Multiple treatments are usually necessary to get the best results, so a single dermatologist’s blue light treatment wouldn’t go far in treating your acne or related skin condition.

Handheld devices you can use at home are significantly more affordable. reVive Light Therapy^® blue light devices range between $19 to $399. The size of the device and its functionality will factor into the costs. Compared to dermatology treatments, home devices are more affordable for the average consumer.

These devices are also just as effective as professional treatments. They’re easy to use, and you can treat your skin more frequently than at a dermatology office. Rather than paying for a complete package and maintenance appointments every six months, a handheld blue light therapy device allows you to treat your skin at an affordable cost on your schedule.

How to Use Blue LED Light Therapy Devices for Acne

Before starting, ensure your face is clean and free of any products that might block the light. Some moisturizers contain sunscreen, which can block the wavelengths from the blue LED device, making treatment less effective. It’s better to apply your preferred products after completing your treatment to ensure you get the best results.

You can place the device over the affected area and leave it there for three minutes. It’s unnecessary to move or wave the device. It’s best to remain as still as possible to ensure even treatment.

Once the three minutes are up, you can move to another area of your skin and repeat the process. For the best results, you should complete treatment daily. You can use blue light therapy as often as three times a day per area.

Now that you’ve completed your treatment, you can use your skincare products as usual.

Products and Routines to Use with Blue Light Therapy

Once you start blue light therapy, you can use other treatments to speed up the process and make the most of the treatment. Specific lifestyle changes can benefit your skin and make blue light therapy more effective. Consider the following changes to make the most of your blue light therapy:

• Maintain a skincare routine: The skin accumulates dirt, oil, grime, and other debris throughout the day. Using a regular skincare routine helps clean the pores and helps prevents the pores from swelling and breaking out. Depending on your skin type, you’ll likely need to use specific skincare products. If you have oily skin, you’ll want to use a lightweight moisturizer to prevent your pores from becoming clogged. People with dry skin can use a heavy moisturizer to assist with oil production.
• Maintain personal hygiene: On top of a quality skincare routine, you’ll want to stay on top of your personal hygiene. Clean your pillowcase and sheets regularly since the fabric can hold onto dirt and grime. These irritants can be clogging your pores as you sleep.
• Eat a healthy diet: Certain foods can cause or worsen acne, such as sugar or dairy products. If you make dietary changes, you can improve your acne. Some foods that can help reduce breakouts include fish, spinach, soybeans, beef, and nuts.
• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated can help clear toxins from the skin and reduce acne-causing bacteria. Water helps the skin stay moisturized, which helps with collagen production and promotes cell regeneration. The recommended daily water intake is about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women. 20% of the intake will come from foods, and the rest from liquids.

When you make these lifestyle changes, your skin’s health will improve. Combining a regular skincare routine, personal hygiene, a healthy diet, and frequent hydration with blue light therapy can speed up the healing process and reduce the frequency and severity of your breakouts.

Purchase One of Our FDA-Cleared Blue Light Therapy Devices

The best way to see how blue light therapy reduces acne and improves your skin’s appearance is to see for yourself. At-home blue light therapy devices provide a simple way to discover the potential of this powerful treatment. They are safe, affordable, and convenient. Blue light therapy can help you find relief from acne and improve your skin’s health in just a few treatments.

If you’re looking for a simple solution to acne treatment, look no further than LED Technologies, Inc. LED Technologies, Inc. products are FDA-cleared. Our goal is to enhance the lives of our customers by providing high-quality lifestyle technologies. Our products exceed standards and are proven to be effective.

Shop now for your reVive light Therapy^® blue light device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which wavelengths are used in light therapy?

• Health and wellness light therapy devices use LEDs that emit light in the blue, amber, red, or infrared range of the light spectrum. Energy wavelengths are shorter toward the blue end of the spectrum and longer toward the infrared end of the spectrum. The human eye can see light from about 380 nm (at the blue end) to about 750 nm (at the red end). The infrared waves can penetrate deeply to relieve muscle and joint pain. Blue light works closer to the skin’s surface. Read more about the science of light therapy in this blog article!

Why is FDA clearance important for at-home light therapy skincare devices?

• Safety should be your top priority with any skincare products you purchase, and this extends to light therapy devices. Light therapy devices need to have FDA clearance in the United States. The FDA has not reviewed devices without clearance for potential safety concerns. At LED Technologies, Inc., all of our LED light therapy products are FDA-cleared. You can feel confident in our commitment to your safety.

Is Light Therapy FSA-Eligible?

• The product must be FDA-cleared, FSA/HSA-approved, and designed for medical conditions and pain management to be eligible for reimbursement. Every product must undergo a rigorous approval process to qualify for FSA and HSA benefits.