Pros and Cons of Acne Blue Light Therapy

Acne blue light therapy has recently been approved by the FDA as an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne, and is rapidly becoming a more popular as a treatment of choice. Acne blue light therapy is a form of acne light therapy that works by killing the P. acnes bacterium on the skin and in the sebaceous (oil-producing glands) located just under the skin.

Some of the pros of acne blue light therapy include:

• Acne blue light therapy often is effective in mild to moderate cases of acne where other treatments have been unsuccessful.
• Acne blue light therapy reduces and heals existing scars and pitting from previous acne infections.
• Acne blue light therapy is fast and mostly painless (a few people will experience brief, temporary minor swelling or redness but most do not experience any side effects).
• Acne blue light therapy reduces or eliminates the need for patients to use harsh astringents or ointments that often clog pores, damage the skin, or make acne worse.

Some drawbacks to acne blue light therapy also exist however. Some of the major ‘cons’ include:

• Acne blue light therapy won’t cure all kinds of acne. Severe acne or acne that is not caused by the common acne bacterium may not respond to acne blue light therapy.
• Acne blue light therapy is expensive. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 per session, and to go for at least eight consecutive sessions before results become noticeable.
• Insurance may not pay for acne blue light therapy, even though it has been recently approved by the FDA, which means you may have to pay for it out of pocket.
• Acne will return in most cases if maintenance sessions of acne blue light therapy are not kept up, which does increase the long term cost the treatment.

Acne blue light therapy is nonetheless becoming extremely popular, not just as a medical option for people with mild to moderate acne that does not respond well to conventional therapy, but also as a cosmetic procedure available at spas and plastic surgery clinics.

Before choosing acne blue light therapy, talk with your dermatologist to make sure it is right for your specific type of acne. Get a referral to a reputable medical clinic that performs the procedure. Make sure you complete all recommended sessions before discontinuing acne blue light therapy. And finally, call your insurance company ahead of time to determine if the procedure will be covered so you can devise a plan for payment without any unpleasant surprises.

With a little advance planning and the help of a licensed dermatologist, acne blue light therapy can become a miracle cure for what is for many people a frustrating, intractable condition.

Related links:

A simple anti aging therapy anyone can follow for life extension

Acne Laser Therapy Facts and Advantages