Though it can be an embarrassing and sometimes socially crippling condition, acne doesn’t have to keep you from living your life. By choosing the right LED therapy treatments for your type of acne, you can reduce or eliminate breakouts and have smooth, clear skin that glows with health and vitality. Here are 7 ways to get rid of acne with LED therapy
1) How Light Therapy (LED) Works
Light therapy, also known as phototherapy or light treatment, uses certain wavelengths of light that interact with our bodies in various ways. When you turn on a light, whether it’s an incandescent bulb or a fluorescent tube, you create different wavelengths of light by interacting electrons in atoms. The wavelength and frequency of each light source is unique; you can tell what type of light you’re using by checking its visible spectrum—the color we see when looking at a given type of light.
2) Reducing Inflammation
Inflammation is a huge contributor to acne. When your skin is inflamed, your pores tend to enlarge and bacteria can enter into them more easily, leading to pimples and acne. Studies have shown that low-level light therapy can reduce inflammation in several ways including decreasing inflammation-inducing molecules and stimulating anti-inflammatory ones. Not only does LED effectively treat inflammation, but it also improves acne scars by boosting collagen production (lasers are great for scars as well). The best news?
3) Killing P. Acnes Bacteria
P. acnes is a type of bacteria that causes acne breakouts. When exposed to blue light, P. acnes will be destroyed, which means it can’t make your skin breakout in those areas. This killing power is why LED therapy treatments are often used for acne scars—the treatment helps eliminate any leftover blemishes by preventing future breakouts from forming. The process works so well because you don’t have to treat every spot on your face individually: just place it over an area and let its penetrating rays kill off P. acnes as they continue doing their work throughout your body.
4) Treating Sensitive Skin
Choosing a treatment for sensitive skin can be difficult, especially if you’re looking for an acne treatment. You might think you can use anything on your face and body, but that’s not necessarily true. There are many substances out there which will cause irritation in combination with your sensitive skin, like any type of acne treatments.
5) Boosting Collagen Production
Light therapy can help trigger skin cells known as fibroblasts, which produce collagen and elastin. Studies have shown that low-level light therapy encourages new collagen production, potentially improving your skin’s elasticity and smoothness by helping it replace dead collagen, says Dr. Zeichner.
6) Increasing Circulation
Increasing blood flow to your skin can help brighten your complexion. People with acne have small, blocked-up pores and often experience redness, explains Dr. Idriss. Reducing that congestion allows oxygen to circulate freely, which improves skin color. LED also helps stimulate collagen production in scarred tissues so they’re less likely to become indented scars over time, she adds. This treatment is great for reducing fine lines and wrinkles while improving circulation and promoting more even pigmentation.