Acne typically starts during puberty and is most common among teenagers and young adults, yet it can continue into one’s 30s and 40s. The condition arises when oil and dead skin cells block the hair follicles under the skin’s surface. Excessive production of sebum, the oil that keeps the skin moist, plays a role in acne formation.
Acne symptoms include blackheads, pus-filled pimples, and large, red, sore bumps. Although not life-threatening, acne can cause significant embarrassment, hindering one’s ability to live life fully. Research indicates that some individuals feel unattractive due to their acne, while others experience heightened anxiety. It can make teens too self-conscious to engage in sports, work, or classroom participation. Moreover, acne can impact emotional well-being, with sufferers often experiencing anxiety and depression.
Acne treatments range from over-the-counter creams and cleansers to antibiotics. Regrettably, not every treatment is effective for everyone, and options for treating acne scars and red spots are limited. However, red light therapy offers promising results for acne management.
Use Red Light Therapy for Acne
Red light therapy aids in the healing of acne by penetrating beneath the skin’s surface to repair and calm irritated tissues.
Use Red Light Therapy to Get Rid of Red Spots Caused by Acne
Acne can alter skin tissue, leading to temporary darkening known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This occurs because injuries from acne cause inflammation, prompting the skin to produce more melanin—the pigment that colors skin, hair, and eyes.
Melanin serves a protective role, shielding the skin from damaging UV rays by darkening it. Similarly, the skin generates melanin in response to the irritation and inflammation caused by acne.
As a pimple heals, the excess melanin forms a dark spot. Actions like squeezing or picking at pimples can exacerbate these spots.
Although these dark spots from acne are temporary and typically fade on their own, they can persist for 3 to 24 months or even longer. Continual irritation, such as picking at pimples, may prolong hyperpigmentation.
Red light therapy aids in acne treatment by boosting circulation and delivering inflammatory mediators to the affected skin tissue. These mediators help manage swelling and prevent the inflammation that leads to melanin production, thereby preventing the formation of dark spots.
Get Rid Of Acne Scars
Scars can develop when the trauma of acne damages your skin’s derma, which is the layer of tissue just below the surface of your skin. Your body produces collagen to help your skin heal from acne. Collagen fibers can help skin heal quickly, but overgrowth and poor distribution of collagen can cause a scar to form.
Red light therapy can also address acne scars by improving the distribution of collagen fibers, thereby preventing the formation of visible scar tissue. Laser resurfacing, which also uses the power of light energy, can also remove damaged skin and scar tissue.
Combine Red Light Therapy With Other Treatments
Red light therapy can complement other acne treatments, including exfoliants that remove dead skin cells which contribute to acne. At Pure Health Medical we have an Acne Bootcamp that gets great results that can utilize red light as one of the essential treatments for some clients.
Get The Most Out of Your Red Light Therapy
To enhance the effectiveness of red light therapy for acne, ensure that all sunscreen and makeup are removed from the affected area prior to treatment. These products may obstruct the penetration of the red and near-infrared LED rays utilized in the therapy.
Provided that sensitivity is not a concern, it is permissible to apply anti-acne skincare products after red light therapy sessions. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are beneficial as they dissolve sebum and cleanse the follicles, helping to diminish pimples and blackheads. Additionally, we can recommend salicylic acid can be used post-therapy to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores for some cases of acne prone clients.