acne scar excision

Here's Why Blue Light Acne Treatment Has Become So Useful at Eliminating Acne

One of the more effective ways to get rid of acne is with blue light therapy. Here is the reason blue light is successful in treating acne.

Many adults and approximately 85% of adolescents have suffered acne outbreaks. An excess of skin oil (sebum) mixes with dead skin cells to block the pores and create pimples. Once a pore becomes plugged the bacteria trapped in the pore begin multiplying and infect adjoining tissues. This results in the redness and soreness often connected with acne.

There are several popular therapies associated with acne prevention. Removing surplus oils from the skin is the most important step. A mild anti-bacterial gel or cream is next used to kill surface bacteria. Dead skin cells are loosened with an exfoliant so they can be washed away. By doing this the possibility for clogging the pores is significantly reduced and the chance of acne is minimized.

When pores become plugged they comprise whiteheads or blackheads. The site of the blockage is the primary difference between a whitehead and a blackhead. With a blackhead, the clog is close to the surface where it can become oxidized and darken. When the clog descends a short distance into the pore the top of the pore can close up over the plug and the plug remains light colored and forms a whitehead.

As the bacteria begin multiplying within the clogged pore the cells surrounding the pore become irritated and become red, forming a pimple. The spot infected can grow and the size and magnitude of the blemish can increase outside the cells belonging to the pore. Pressure on the pimple can shove the infection into the sebaceous gland and perhaps rupture the cell structure allowing the infection to spread to lower layers in the skin.

You can understand how vital it is to eliminate the bacteria at the site of the pimple. With the bacteria gone, the cells should no longer be irritated and may begin to mend. Severe acne can often be addressed with systemic medications like oral anti-biotics. Most less severe acne outbreaks are usually handled successfully by therapies applied in the affected area.

Acne light treatment is one such localized treatment. While sunlight has always been know to help acne, scientists looked at specific colors in the spectrum to determine more particularly the range of colors that were actually effective. One of the first groups to investigate this subject established that light within the violet range activated an organic compound, a porphyrin, within the acne causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. A singlet oxygen is released by a porphyrin component of the bacteria which helps kill the bacteria.

To work against the rapidly multiplying bacteria, several consecutive treatments are required to kill all the bacteria within a pimple. After the bacteria are gone, the swelling decreases and the cells begin to heal.

Of course, the blue light could be provided by full spectrum sunlight. But now specialized lasers, fluorescent lamps, as well as LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used to deliver the exact wavelength of light which is most effective. Numerous dermatologists use the Dusa Blue Light which is similar to an array of fluorescent lights that emit light with a 400nm wavelength. In addition, numerous dermatologists use Levulan (aminolevulinic acid) on affected areas before the light therapy. The Levulan is photosensitive and exposed to blue light helps damage certain skin cells.

While treatments from a dermatologist might cost several hundred dollars each, inexpensive home devices have found there way into the market. Competition is keeping the price for most of the devices in a reasonable range from around $40 to $300 or so.

Keep in mind that blue light acne treatment takes a few treatments to kill the bacteria and several days for the skin to heal. So, this is not an overnight process. But many of us find blue light acne therapy more practical than benzoyl peroxide and less irritating to their skin.
Acne Scar Revision Part One Introduction by Dr Young Bellevue, WA

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