Blue light therapy for the treatment of acne is an increasingly sought-after procedure. It used to be that people were advised to spend time in the sun in order to dry out their acne. This advice was on-target as blue light is quite effective in killing the bacteria that causes acne.

Why Killing Bacteria Stops Acne

While it’s true that killing the bacteria that causes acne can help to reduce the problem, it’s important to understand that acne is a condition that is cyclical in nature.

Killing the bacteria isn’t enough to keep your pimples away for good. You must treat problem skin consistently and assertively in order to maintain best results.

The pores of your skin exist on top of sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum or oil; that exists to keep the skin supple and to move dead skin cells in your pores up to the surface of the skin for removal. It is this cycle that keeps your skin healthy.

However, sometimes the dead skin cells can become clogged in pores, leading to a buildup of bacteria. This bacteria breaks down the sebum, leading to the production of fatty acids that are harmful to the bacteria.

An immune response is triggered, which then leads to a pimple being formed, allowing the bacteria an exit route. Killing the bacteria helps to reduce the skin’s inflammation reaction.

How Blue Light Therapy Works

The particular wavelengths of this light are effective in breaking down the bacteria’s membrane. The breakdown is what causes the ultimate destruction of harmful acne bacteria.

In a laboratory environment, blue light can kill nearly 100% of acne bacteria. This isn’t the case when it comes to your skin. The reason for this discrepancy is that blue light may not be able to reach the bacteria that lies deep within the skin’s pores, only that which is closer to the surface. Even so, short bursts of light can help to reduce acne significantly.

Schedules Your Appointment

Combined with a regular routine of cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliation, blue light therapy can be quite effective in killing bacteria and keeping acne at bay. Obtaining a professional skin consultation is one of the best ways to be sure you’re using the correct regimen for your skin type and unique needs.

For more information and to schedule your appointment, contact Rao Dermatology today and finally get a solution to your acne problem.