The Benefits of Red Light Therapy on Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that most people experience at some point in their lives. It's characterized by hair follicles in the skin that become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. While teenagers are the most common group to experience acne, it can happen to people of all ages. There are several causes of acne detailed below. 

A certain kind of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes (or P. acnes) is found on the human skin and contributes to the infection of pimples. The frequency and intensity of acne are believed to depend on what kind of bacteria is present. Not all acne bacteria will cause pimples; at least one strain helps keep the skin smooth and clean. 

Dirt on the skin can irritate it but isn't the actual cause of acne. Acne is located below the skin and the pimples occur on the outer layer of the skin. While dirt doesn't cause acne, it can irritate any blemishes that are already present. Keeping your skin clean is an excellent way to avoid increasing the severity of acne. 

Several studies have been done to determine if there is a link between acne and stress. One study shows that students in university who experienced stress were more likely to have a breakout.

Those with greater levels of stress would have more intense acne breakouts. Stress may not be the only cause of acne, but it works with other factors to trigger pimples and exacerbate existing acne problems. 

The final trigger for acne is entirely natural – hormones. This acne is most associated with puberty but can occur at other times. It's most common among women and can be tied to factors like menopause and menstruation. When the level of hormones changes in the body, it can make acne much more likely to occur. 

How Red Light Therapy Helps With Acne

Red light therapy is a treatment option that is used to help heal the skin, muscle tissues, and other parts of the body. It involves exposure to low levels of red or nearly infrared light, which makes your cells' mitochondria ramp up their work to produce additional energy. This can help cells repair themselves and become healthier. 

This therapy is non-invasive, natural, and drug-free. It's used for a variety of reasons, including wound healing. Red light therapy can reduce both chronic and acute inflammation. In addition, studies on wound healing show that cells exposed to this light produce new tissue formation, fibroblasts, and new blood vessels. Each of these things leads to better recovery. 

Red light therapy can also be used to regenerate elastin and collagen, which is helpful for healing scarring from acne. This therapy works deep below the skin's surface to repair and soothe the tissue. It's an excellent option for anyone who is dealing with a chronic skin condition.

 Red light therapy also offers anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used instead of over-the-counter medication for some inflammation. Clinical research shows that it can provide concentrated wavelengths of natural light that stimulate the cells and reduce oxidative stress to lower pain and inflammation. 

How Often Should You Use Red Light Therapy for Acne

If you are seeing a dermatologist for red light therapy to help with acne scars, you can expect to visit them two to three times a week for treatment. In most cases, this process will continue for around four to six weeks.

Due to the number of treatments, this can be overly expensive for some. Those who are busy also may have trouble visiting a dermatologist so frequently.

 The alternative to visiting a dermatologist is using a red light therapy device in your own home. You can purchase a red light tool and use it in your home whenever you have time to do so. Most people find that they get the best results when experiencing a red light for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. 

As mentioned, dermatologist appointments can be expensive. Even if a single appointment is a reasonable price, keep in mind that the treatment can require up to 18 appointments over the course of two months.

There is no cost beyond purchasing the tool when you have your own red light therapy device at home. It's also convenient and available around the clock.

If you are just starting to use a red light therapy device at home, it's best to start with a short duration of treatment. Rather than going with a 30-minute treatment, for instance, you might do 15 minutes and see how you feel and what results you experience.

You can then increase the time of treatment depending on how comfortable you feel. Everyone's skin is different so your treatment might be a different length than someone else you know.

 One of the most important things to be aware of is that infrared light is FDA-approved for the treatment of pimples.

However, keep in mind that it is not capable of treating whiteheads, blackheads, modules, or cysts. Nevertheless, it is an excellent option for those who are experiencing mild acne.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers information about how well red light therapy can work for acne. For instance, it states that most people see results, but the level of clearer skin can vary.

The association also mentions that multiple treatments are often needed, results take time, and good skin care can help with fighting new breakouts.

FAQs

Doеs rеd light thеrapy hеlp acnе?

Yеs, rеd light thеrapy can hеlp rеducе acnе. It works by rеducing inflammation and can stimulatе collagеn production, which helps in hеaling thе skin.

Doеs rеd light thеrapy improvе facial skin?

Yеs, rеd light thеrapy is known to improve facial skin by еnhancing collagеn production, rеducing wrinklеs, and improving skin tonе and tеxturе.

Doеs rеd light hidе acnе?

Rеd light thеrapy doеsn’t hidе acnе but hеlps in trеating it by rеducing inflammation and promoting hеaling, which may makе acnе lеss visiblе ovеr timе.

Can you ovеrdo rеd light thеrapy?

Yеs, еxcеssivе usе of rеd light thеrapy can potеntially lеad to skin irritation or damagе. It's important to follow rеcommеndеd guidеlinеs and durations for trеatmеnts.

Arе thеrе any bеnеfits to using combinеd rеd and bluе LED light thеrapy?

Yеs, combining rеd and bluе LED light thеrapy can offеr еnhancеd bеnеfits, with rеd light promoting hеaling and rеducing inflammation, whilе bluе light targеts acnе-causing bactеria. This combination can bе morе еffеctivе in trеating acnе and improving skin health. 

Final Thoughts on Red Light Therapy for Acne

Sun Home Saunas offers a variety of red light therapy options for use in the privacy of your home. You can choose red light therapy that works with your infrared sauna, individual devices that offer the therapy on-demand, and accessories to make the treatment process straightforward and easy.