Research reported in the July
2000 British Journal of Dermatology (.PDF) found
that regular sessions under blue and red light
has been shown to "radically" help
clear acne in moderate and less severe cases.
"The consultant dermatologist Tony
Chu sent 120 patients home with specially designed
red and blue lamps to be used for 15 minutes each
day. The results, published in the British
Journal of Dermatology, show a 76% drop in
visible spots over 12 weeks." Taken
from a report by Simon Bowers. (.PDF)
The blue light, as described below, attacks the
bacteria that causes the acne, and the red light
has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect on
the skin. In fact, research done by David Olszewski,
co- author of the book "Light Years Ahead" has
shown that skin heals almost 200% faster when exposed
to red light.
October 2002 - American Academy
of Dermatology
Blue Light Kills Acne Bacteria
"Light gets at the core of what causes acne eruptions:
P. acnes, the bacterial responsible for causing
acne inflammation, pumps out tiny molecules called
porphyrins. When those porphyrin are exposed to
certain wavelengths of light, they produce free
radicals that kill the bacteria. Without P. acnes
around to cause inflammation, acne clears up." American
Academy of Dermatology.
"A low intensity blue light source (405 nm to
420 nm) has been studied for the treatment of mild
to moderate inflammatory acne. In the study, two
15-minute exposures a week for a period of four
weeks produced a 60 percent reduction in acne in
80 percent of patients. Reported remissions from
acne lasted as long as three to eight months." American
Academy of Dermatology.
found
that regular sessions under blue and red light
has been shown to "radically" help
clear acne in moderate and less severe cases.