Acne can be treated using various light therapy treatments. They can target the affected area and help heal and soothe the skin.
Photodynamic Therapy fuses a photosensitizer solution with light energy to treat severe acne. Photosensitizers are topical creams. These are applied to the affected area and activated when in contact with the light source. They create a chemical reaction that produces oxygen. This oxygen kills acne-causing bacteria and fungi. Many patients with severe acne find it challenging to clear up their skin despite trying several treatments.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an alternative to the medication Accutane, which effectively treats cystic acne but has many side effects. PDT requires no anesthetic. It causes minimal discomfort but requires a downtime of up to one week.
After PDT, the skin becomes more sensitive to sun exposure. It requires diligent sun protection with daily sunscreen application and sun avoidance immediately after treatment.
After the first session, breakouts will reduce. The total effect of the treatment will be most visible after 2-3 treatments with 4-6 week intervals between each session. LED Light Therapy is another option to treat acne. The LED light targets the skin with different wavelengths focusing on various skin issues.
This treatment is very gentle. It is suitable for any skin type and doesn’t cause any significant side effects to the skin.
Providers may add many colored lights such as green and yellow in one session. The most common colors in LED Light Therapy for acne treatment are red and blue. These lights are
effective for treating acne. They promote collagen production for skin rejuvenation, kill bacteria, and calm redness. The treatment is pain-free, with no anesthetic needed.
A session lasts for 30 minutes with no downtime required. Patients need a total of 6-8 sessions for optimal results.