What Is Blue Light Therapy?

Blue light therapy is a noninvasive treatment for acne. It uses blue light to kill certain acne-causing bacteria on the skin. This treatment is widely available at a dermatology clinic. It can also be carried out at home using blue light therapy devices. It is particularly useful in cases of mild to moderate acne (1), (2).

How Does Blue Light Therapy Work?

Blue light therapy makes use of LED light in the blue wavelength range. It is effective in treating acne due to the propensity of blue light to kill acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes) on the skin (3). The treatment does not require recovery time and is a low-risk procedure. Blue light therapy not only treats acne that is already present on the skin, but it can also control and prevent future breakouts. Now that you know what blue light therapy is and how it works, here’s a lowdown of the best blue light therapy devices that you can use at home to treat your acne.

Top 7 Blue Light Therapy Devices – 2022

1. Best For Travel:Pure Daily Care Luma – 4 in 1 Skin Therapy Wand

The Pure Daily Care Luma – 4 in 1 Skin Therapy Wand offers complete skin therapy in the form of four modes: LED light therapy, wave penetrating cell stimulation, ionic/galvanic channeling, and massage therapy. The LED light therapy mode features powerful blue, red, and green LEDs that soothe inflammation, improve your complexion, and help your skin naturally fight the various signs of aging. You can use each mode separately or combine them for a customized treatment based on your skin care goals. The blue light on the Luma is particularly helpful in reducing inflammation. It kills bacteria from within the skin and helps prevent the occurrence of future breakouts. Take a look at this video to learn more about the benefits of this product. Pros

4 skin therapy modes Travel-friendly design Easy to use LED-display screen Ergonomic design Inbuilt timer Hygienic metal applicator 2 vibrating massage modes Affordable Rechargeable

Cons None 

2. Best Lightweight Design:Tanda Clear Plus Acne Clearing Device

The Tanda Clear Plus Acne Clearing Device is a quick and easy solution for handling mild to moderate acne. It works effortlessly without causing dryness, irritation, or redness. The Tanda Clear Plus also treats fine lines and wrinkles to give you clearer and younger-looking skin. The device employs blue light therapy together with sonic vibration (which boosts microcirculation to reduce inflammation) and gentle warming (to open pores before treatment) to deliver quick and effective results for calm, clear, and beautiful skin. The 414 nm powerful blue light produces a phototoxic effect on acne-causing bacteria, which kills them and cures existing acne breakouts with unmatched speed. Check out the video given below to gain a detailed understanding of the product. Pros

Suitable for all skin types 3-minute treatment cycle Non-drying Shows quick results Lightweight Travel-friendly Rechargeable Large treatment area No cartridges required. Built-in safety feature

Cons

May take time if used on the entire face.

3. Best In Budget:Tanda Zap Acne Spot Treatment Device

The Tanda Zap Acne Spot Treatment Device is a clinically proven treatment to fade or clear acne and blemishes within 24 hours. It also helps treat whiteheads and prevent future breakouts. The powerful blue light technology, along with gentle warming and sonic vibration therapy, makes this a comprehensive and effective treatment for acne. It is best used as a spot treatment solution to help clear individual acne blemishes. It is safe to use on all skin types and a range of skin tones. The Tanda is easy to use and shows quick results as it starts working on clearing blemishes immediately. Pros

Safe on all skin types Easy to use Quick 2-minute treatment cycle Dermatologist-recommended Travel-friendly design Battery life of 40-50 treatments Device lasts up to 1000 treatments Lightweight Affordable

Cons

Not convenient for treating a larger surface.

4. Best Sonic Vibration Therapy:Mē Clear Anti-Blemish Device

The Mē Clear Anti-Blemish Device is clinically proven to reduce blemishes within 24 hours of use. It delivers an innovative patented tri-action technology that is quite effective against acne, pimples, and scars. The combination of blue light acne treatment with sonic vibration and gentle warming heals stubborn blemishes without causing any dryness or irritation. The blue light destroys acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. The sonic vibration therapy helps reduce inflammation and swelling and exposes more bacteria to the healing blue light. The gentle warming sensation from the device prepares the skin for treatment by opening up the pores to allow light to penetrate deeper. Pros

Suitable for all skin types Quick 2-minute treatment cycle Shows quick results Travel-friendly design Easy to use Affordable Safe to use up to 3 times a day Portable Rechargeable

Cons

Inconvenient for treating larger areas. Quality control issues

5. Best UV Protection:Project E Blue LED+ Acne Light Therapy

The Project E Blue LED+ Acne Light Therapy has 40 blue LED bulbs that stimulate collagen for a smooth and refined skin texture. It’s continuous mode offers constant light energy for 10 minutes, controlling sebum secretion and preventing acne. It also reduces inflammation, balances skin tone, and tightens the skin for a firmer and youthful appearance. The 100% UV-free device is great for normal, oily, and acne-prone skin. Watch this video to gain insights into the usage and benefits of this product. Pros

100% UV-free Suitable for normal, oily, and acne-prone skin Safety design Ergonomic design Travel-friendly

Cons None

6. Best Ergonomic Design:Foreo Espada At-Home Blue Light Acne Treatment Device

The Foreo Espada At-Home Blue Light Acne Treatment Device kills acne-causing bacteria using non-invasive, effortless, and painless technology. The ultimate anti-acne device, the Espada, helps prevent both pimples and deep pore acne. It also reduces swelling, soothes inflammation, and gives you purified, clear skin. The Espada is an easy-to-use, fuss-free device. You just need to place it on a blemish for 30 seconds, and you are done. Repeat the spot treatment on other areas on your face. Make sure to cleanse your face properly before using the device. The Espada also features T-Sonic pulsations for more effective treatment of acne. Pros

Lightweight design Long-lasting charge Non-invasive Easy to use Built-in timer 30-second treatment 2-year warranty 10-year quality guarantee

Cons

Expensive May not work on all acne types. May cause dryness.

7. Best For Daily Use:Pulsaderm Acne Clearing Mask

The Pulsaderm Acne Clearing Mask has FDA clearance, so it is safe to use. It treats acne breakouts utilizing a combination of non-UV blue and red LED technology. Blue LED therapy is clinically proven to kill acne-causing bacteria in the skin. The red LED in this device helps soothe inflammation and heal redness. You can use the Pulsaderm safely every day for 10-minute treatment cycles. Once your stubborn acne clears up, you can use the device three times a week as a preventive measure against future breakouts. The package also contains a pair of eye goggles that protect your eyes during treatment. Pros

Safe for daily use No replacement part needed 10-minute daily treatment cycle Non-UV blue and red LED Lightweight Eye goggles included for safety FDA-cleared

Cons

Not value for money. May feel uncomfortable to wear. Quality control issues

If you are still on the fence about trying blue light therapy, read on for some fantastic benefits of using a blue light therapy device that are sure to allay your doubts.

Advantages Of Blue Light Therapy For Acne

Before And After Using Blue Light Therapy

Blue light therapy is incredible, and you can’t wait to try it at home. But wait, how are you going to choose the best blue light therapy device? Read on for some factors that you must consider before making your purchase.

How To Pick The Best Blue Light Therapy Device

1. Budget

Your budget must always be an essential consideration for any purchase. But do keep in mind that even the high-end products in this category may be cheaper than making regular visits to the dermatologist for clinical blue light treatment procedures. Ultimately, it is a one-time investment, so pick something that offers the most value for money.

2. Size

Most blue light therapy devices come in either a spot treatment size, a standard size, or a face mask. Depending on your preference, you can pick any of these for use at home. The spot treatment size is ideal when you want to zap a few zits and be done. If you want a more intensive treatment for your whole face, consider a light therapy face mask that treats a broader area in a single session.

3. Treatment Time

This feature varies across devices. Some have a 2-3 minute treatment cycle, while others take longer. Also, consider that using a smaller spot treatment device to cover more parts of your face may take a longer time. It may not be convenient to fit into a hectic routine.

4. Other Features

Blue light therapy devices now come with a host of additional features that aim to maximize user comfort and provide an enhanced experience. Look for LED screens, inbuilt timers, safety goggles for the eyes, and more.

5. Portability

The portability of a device decides whether you can take it wherever you go or use it only at home. Look for a battery-powered or rechargeable option if you travel often and need to use your device on the go. Even a corded device can be handy if the design is compact and lightweight, so choose what works best for you. Blue light therapy devices are safe and FDA-approved. There are no side effects, and this method has zero recovery time. However, keep in mind some facts to be safe. 

Are There Any Side Effects Of Using Blue Light Therapy For Acne?

The only possible risk is eye damage, which may be caused by overexposure to LED light. For this, it is recommended that you wear eye safety goggles, especially when self-administering blue light therapy using an LED face mask. Other minor reactions may include dryness and swelling. If you are concerned about adverse reactions, you may do a patch test with the device on another part of your skin and wait for 24 hours before using it on your face. Pregnant women, people sensitive to sunlight, and those on antibiotics must avoid blue light therapy for acne.

Why Trust Stylecraze?

Sakshi Bahal has compiled this list of the best blue light therapy devices to treat and prevent acne and other skin conditions. She has extensively researched the features of these products and their user reviews. She has also included a buying guide and discussed the pros and cons of each product to guide your decision. In addition, this article explains how blue light therapy works and how to choose the right device. Is blue light therapy safe? Yes, blue light therapy is safe for most people. If you are dealing with photosensitivity issues, the therapy might not be for you. Can you do blue light therapy at home? Yes, purchase an at-home blue light device to perform the therapy indoors. The at-home devices are generally safe, but consult your dermatologist before using one. How often should you do blue light therapy? To benefit from blue light therapy, take at least two to five sessions at an interval of three to four weeks. Some beauty enthusiasts may also notice successful changes after one session itself. How long does it take blue light therapy to work? Generally, it takes blue light therapy to work for two to five months if you have completed at least four sessions. It can also work faster depending on your skin type and concerns. Can blue light therapy make acne worse? No, blue light therapy helps treat acne and blemishes. However, you may notice some temporary side effects in severe acne-prone skin. So, consult your doctor before going for therapy. What is the difference between blue light therapy and red light therapy? Blue light therapy helps destroy acne-causing bacteria, while red light therapy reduces inflammation and boosts collagen production. Also, blue light therapy comes with shorter wave light, while red light penetrates deep into the skin.

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