More and more options continue to become available in the area of acne treatment and skin care. Another alternative treatment has been presented using blue light after evidence showed that blue light has an antibacterial effect on the skin. Treatment done by shining blue light on acne affected skin effectively kills off acne causing bacteria. Yet, acne is a complex process that needs comprehensive solutions and this type of treatment only seems to address one of many factors.

Some people might worry about the effects of harmful rays due to light therapy, yet it has been proven that blue light poses no risk in altering DNA as do UV rays. UV rays are dangerous in their ability to alter cell division, conversely, blue light poses no such risk. In fact, blue light's lower wavelength frequency is what distinguishes it from more harmful rays as well as makes it a successful resource in acne treatment.

How does Blue Light Acne Treatment Work?

Acne causing bacteria are called P. acnes which create a chemical with the structure of a porphyrin molecule. Under the right treatment conditions, the elemental make-up of porphyrin can be altered, for example, the oxygen molecules can be lost. Blue light therapy destroys bacteria by disturbing the porphyrins and causing them to release oxygen atoms, therefore destroying their molecular structure which make up each bacterium.

Other Factors in Acne and its Treatment

However, bacteria is only one piece of the puzzle and has not even been shown to be a significant cause of acne. The real causes of acne start with injury done to living cells within the sebum canals. These cells can be damaged by the force of sebum output, the hardening of sebum within the follicle, or the mixture of oil and dead skin cells within the pores. This complete list of risks to cells has an equally complex set of natural solutions: the natural inhibition of sebum manufacture, the function of unsaturated fatty acids in breaking up hardened sebum and the triggering of natural enzymes that can efficiently and organically dissolve oil and dead skin cells. Ideally, acne treatment should also reduce bacteria and calm inflamed skin by addressing the body's natural inflammatory reaction and supporting the innate immune system at the site of cell damage. It is important that we fully treat acne until the end of the process which includes the reparation of damaged cells and the regeneration of skin structures in order to avoid acne scar development.

The Good and Bad of Blue Light Acne Treatment

Blue light acne therapy is a great choice in getting rid of acne causing bacteria as it has been proven to be safe, and with no relation to negative results due to other types of light exposure. In fact, it has not been linked to any negative side effects whatsoever. However, blue light therapy is not necessarily ideal for everybody who suffers from an acne condition.

Unfortunately, blue light treatments seem to be available only to those who can afford to go to high-end health facilities and pay for costly therapies. It is not readily available in all health care locations. Additionally, the cost of the treatment is high and it is rare for insurance companies to cover these types of treatment expenses. Those who do not have the means to pay for costly therapies, such as blue light treatment, might find more promising skin care options in the area of natural acne treatment. Then again, you might be better off with a natural treatment that can more comprehensively treat the root causes of acne instead of just the contributing factors.