Why the BlueMD device is the best for acne treatment

Blue light treatment is an FDA approved photo-dynamic procedural alternative for acne treatment. It is light of wavelength between 400-490 nm (the FDA approves 405-420 nm for general treatment of acne conditions) and therefore belongs to the blue segment of the natural light spectrum. The light itself reacts with Porphyrins in the acne bacteria (P. acnes bacteria), which readily absorbs the energy, destroying the bacteria as it does so. There is no requirement for topical or ingestible medication along with this therapy except for the use of photo-sensitizers before the application of light, which allow the light to be absorbed into the bacteria more readily (this form of the treatment is called ALA-PDT).

The blue light device Blue MD uses the most effective and least harmful (least susceptible to causing sun-burn) wavelength from the blue spectrum, that is, a safe 420nm (dermatologist grade blue light). Clinical testing by both the American Academy of Dermatology and the British Academy of Dermatology has proven the effectiveness of blue light therapy in Acne conditions and for general skin health; proven effective for over 80% of the subjects tested upon. This treatment on an average severity of acne is effective if used only three times a week for 20 minute sessions.

The device itself is built to be used by almost anyone and at home. It uses a custom LED to emit blue light at a safe wavelength, provides an easy to use consol and is portable and not as fragile or underpowered as other hand held devices.

No UV: The blue light blueMD device is UV free, that is, no radiation from the UV range is present in the light (UV is the main cause for skin problems as is a well known scientific fact).

No pain: The treatment is painless, expect for a little temporary sensitivity to light (especially where a sensitizer is used). The treatment is also easily administered at home by oneself and requires no preparatory procedures (except a face wash - preferably with a cleanser).

Harmless to the eyes or skin: This treatment is harmless for the skin and the eyes of schedules for the treatment are followed. For acne treatment, any effect on the eyes (of Age-related Macular Degeneration-AMD), although unproven, can easily be covered for by the use of the goggles provided with most light treatment devices for use on facial skin. The skin itself readily repairs itself of any cellular damage as long as the treatment is carried out according to prescribed schedules.

Other Methods of therapy

Pulsed light and heat energy (LHE) therapy:

This therapy involves Pulses of heat and light and can destroy P. Acnes bacteria and also reduce sebum (oily substance on the skin that incubates the bacteria). This treatment is painful however, and therefore very uncomfortable to use for most acne patients, due mainly to the feeling induced by the pulses of heat. This therapy is most effective in treating mild to moderate acne.

Diode laser:

A 1450-nm diode laser beam can also be used to treat acne. This method shows tremendous results in only a few treatments (three to four treatments causing an improvement of 80% or more in most patients). The pain associated with this type of therapy requires the use of topical anesthetics in order to make it tolerable to patients and the treatment itself is most expensive and not feasible in terms of time or money for most people (as it is carried out in controlled sessions and cannot be self-applied).

References:

Web:

1. acne[dot]about[dot]com/od/acnetreatments/a/pdt.htm
2. www[dot]activeforever[dot]com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=4975&SEName=blue-md-acne-light-therapy-treatment-system&us=article2305
3. www[dot]skincarephysicians[dot]com/acnenet/article_lasers.html

Research:

1. Tzung TY et al. "Blue light phototherapy in the treatment of acne." Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2004 October; 20(5):266-9.
2. "New blue light edges out clindamycin." Dermatology Times. 2004 March:25(3):40.
3. Elman M et al. "The effective treatment of acne vulgaris by a high-intensity, narrow band 405-420 nm light source." Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2003 June;5(2):111-7
4. Kawada A et al. "Acne phototherapy with a high-intensity, enhanced, narrow-band, blue light source: an open study and in vitro investigation." Journal of Dermatologic Science. 2002 November;30(2):129-35.
5. Papageorgiou P, Katsambas A, Chu A. Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol 142(5):973-8 (2000 May).
6. Goldman MP, Boyce S. A single-center study of aminolevulinic acid and 417nm photodynamic therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. J Drugs Dermatol 2(4):393-6 (2003 Aug).
7. Gold MH, Rao J, Goldman MP, et al. A multicenter clinical evaluation of the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris of the face with visible blue light in comparison to topical 1% clindamycin antibiotic solution. J Drugs Dermatol 4(1):64-70 (2005 Jan-Feb).
8. MEDSCAPE: www[dot]medscape[dot]com/viewarticle/572288_4

Allen Anderson is a content writer at TrophySkin.com. Trophy Skin provides BlueMD, one of the best light therapy products for acne treatment. It provides a powerful, safe, effective and affordable blue light therapy which is approved by FDA and the American Academy of Dermatology.