How to Use Blue Light Acne Treatment

Опубликовал Admin
4-02-2021, 02:40
141
0
Blue light therapy is rising in popularity as a non-invasive and effective anti-acne treatment. This is because blue light rays can kill the bacteria that causes acne. In the past, this treatment was only available with expensive machines in dermatologists’ offices, but several at-home products have recently been approved for blue light therapy. They’re usually simple to use and don’t have significant side effects. If you’d like to try this out for yourself, ask your dermatologist for a product recommendation and follow all the instructions that come with the device you use.

Deciding if Blue Light is Right for You

  1. Ask your dermatologist about blue light if you take acne medication. Some acne medications make you more susceptible to sunlight, so they might cause a reaction to your blue light therapy. If you take medication for your acne, don’t try blue light therapy without asking your dermatologist first.
    • Some dermatologists don’t recommend blue light therapy if you take Accutane, an anti-acne medicine. However, other studies show that’s safe to take along with blue light therapy. Follow your dermatologist’s guidance for what’s best for you.
  2. Ask your dermatologist for a recommended home-treatment device. Since there are several blue light products available, you might not know where to start. Your dermatologist is the best source of information. Ask if they can point you towards the right product to make your search easier.
    • These devices can range from $30 to several hundred dollars, so tell your dermatologist what you’re looking to spend.
  3. Get a blue light device that is FDA-approved. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved some blue light devices for acne treatment, but not all of them. Before you buy a product, check online to see if it’s FDA-approved and safe.
    • The FDA doesn’t have a whole database for blue light devices. Try going to the fda.gov homepage and typing the product name into the search bar in the top-right corner to find the approval report.
    • You could also search the product name followed by “FDA-approved” in a search engine to check.
  4. Read all of the instructions on the device you use. Different products might have slightly different instructions. Always read the instruction manual before using the device to make sure you do the treatment correctly. If you have any questions, contact the manufacturer.
    • The major difference between products is the amount of time each session should last. This is because products use different power levels, so you’ll have to do the treatment for a longer or shorter time.
  5. Avoid blue light devices if you’re pregnant, may be pregnant, or nursing. Studies of these devices are lacking in pregnant and nursing women. Several products state in their warnings that pregnant and nursing women shouldn't use them, so it’s best to be safe and stay away from blue light therapy if you’re pregnant.

Performing the Treatment

  1. Wash and dry your face before starting the treatment. This removes any grease, dirt, or makeup that could block the light. Wash your face normally and then dry it completely before you start the treatment. Water could damage the device.
    • It’s easiest to do this treatment at night after you shower or wash your face. Then use the blue light device while you’re relaxing before bed.
  2. Wear a pair of protective glasses to guard your eyes. Prolonged blue light exposure can cause eyestrain and could make you more susceptible to macular degeneration. Never use a blue light device without eye protection. Get a pair of glasses or goggles that specifically filter out blue light and wear them during the treatment. You can buy these at eyeglass stores or order them online.
    • Blue or yellow tinted glasses are popular for people who work on the computer a lot because they filter out blue light. These will work to protect your eyes as long as you don't look directly at the device while it's on.
    • Dermatologists always give you eye protection when they perform blue light therapy in the office. If you don’t know the right protection you need, ask your dermatologist what they use or recommend.
  3. Press the device onto your pimples for 20-30 minutes. Point the light section towards your face and press it down with light pressure. Turn it on and rub it on your pimpled areas in a gentle circular motion. Keep it pressed against your pimples for as long as the instructions tell you to. This is usually 20-30 minutes. Stick with the time limit that the instructions indicate.
    • Some devices power on by themselves when you press them down and others have a starting switch. Follow all the starting instructions that come with your blue light machine.
    • Your device might have a timer that beeps to let you know when the treatment is finished. Listen to this indicator and don’t continue when you’re done.
    • Don’t look directly into the light, even if you’re wearing eye protection. The rays can still cause eyestrain.
  4. Repeat the treatment daily for 2-4 weeks. Blue light therapy doesn’t produce immediate results. With most devices, you’ll need to do the 20-30-minute treatment daily for about a month to see improvement. Continue your daily therapy and contact your dermatologist if you don’t see any results in a month.
    • Some lower-power devices might instruct you to do the treatment twice a day.
  5. Stop the treatment if you experience pain, redness, or swelling. Side effects are rare, but you could experience an adverse reaction to blue light therapy. If you notice any redness, pain, or swelling on your face, stop the treatment right away and contact your dermatologist.
    • Some medications make you more sensitive to sunlight. Common ones are antibiotics, cancer medications, pain relievers, hormones, and cardiovascular drugs. If you’re on any of these medications, this could be what causes the reaction.

Tips

Warnings

  • Blue light therapy isn’t 100% effective in treating acne. You may see a dramatic improvement, but you may also see little or no improvement.
  • Don’t share a blue light device with anyone. This could cause cross-contamination.
Теги:
Information
Users of Guests are not allowed to comment this publication.