Blue light therapy is growing in popularity. It’s a proven treatment for many skin conditions that doesn’t include pain or needles. Naturally, people are becoming curious about blue light therapy for the skin, and if they should invest in blue light therapy at home. To help, we’re answering some common questions about the differences between red and blue light therapy, and the pros and cons of blue light therapy below.
What does LED stand for?
LED (light-emitting diodes) light therapy comes in a range of colors for different wavelengths. Blue light is made up of the shortest waves and carries the most energy. Everyone’s heard about the blue light from our screens that can keep us awake at night, but not many people know about the benefits of blue light therapy—specifically, that concentrated doses of blue LED light therapy can actually do wonders for our skin.
What is “blue light treatment”?
Light therapy started out as NASA technology. Now it's used across a range of visible light spectrums to offer unique skin and pain relief benefits. Blue light facials use blue LED (light-emitting diodes) to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Blue LED light therapy benefits also include reducing the skin's natural oil production (sebum), to manage shine, blackheads and clogged pores—ideal for anyone with mild to moderate acne.
What does blue light therapy do?
When researching at home blue light therapy for acne, it’s important to note that it’s most effective against mild to moderate acne. Some professional-grade blue LED devices are also effective for a larger range of concerns including fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, psoriasis and muscle or joint pain. That’s because they combine blue light with red light, which has been proven to improve the blue LED light therapy benefits when used together.
Combined red and blue light therapy has gained popularity for its ability to promote collagen production, reduce redness and improve fine lines whilst treating mild acne and blemishes. At home red and blue light treatment devices have become a popular choice for those looking for a versatile solution for maintaining healthy skin.
Does blue light therapy really work?
Yes. In this clinical study, participants saw less acne, blackheads, whiteheads, inflammation and skin irritation following treatment. And they felt comfortable administering the treatment by themselves too. They reported no pain and the study concluded essentially that blue LED lights are effective against mild to moderate acne and skin concerns.
What is blue light therapy really good for?
It’s most effective against mild to moderate acne. Professional-grade devices like the CurrentBody Skin Anti-Acne LED Face Mask are also effective for a larger range of concerns including fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, psoriasis and muscle or joint pain. That’s because it combines blue LED lights with red and near-infrared lights to maximize the light therapy benefits.
Can you do LED light therapy at home?
Absolutely. There are a wide range of LED masks, wands and devices available to home consumers. You should consider what type of light is best for treating your skin concerns:>
Based on the benefits of each wavelength, you can choose the device best suited to your skin concerns.
The best facial blue light therapy devices
The best blue LED light therapy device for treating mild to moderate acne on the face is our CurrentBody Skin Anti-Acne LED Face Mask. It combines blue (415nm) light with anti-inflammatory red (633nm) light to effectively reduce redness, swelling and acne-causing bacteria. Our blue light therapy mask offers wavelengths that are 36% more effective at treating acne than blue light alone.
For the odd breakout, the CurrentBody Skin Anti-Acne LED Pen provides quick spot reduction. Although it uses the same light therapy technology as the Anti-Acne LED Face Mask, the pen is a smaller, more compact device. A similar design to other blue light therapy wands, our versatile pen is perfect for reducing a breakout in 3 minutes, without drying out the skin or disrupting the skin barrier (or your schedule).
Our pick for the best multifunctional LED light therapy device is the Dermalux Flex MD. That’s because it combines blue LED lights, red LED lights and near-infrared LED lights in one device to treat a larger range of skin conditions. Plus, it can be used on any part of the body, not just the face.
If you're looking to specifically target the face, CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask gives you the perfect combination of red and near-infrared LED lights to target fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture in a comfortable, flexible mask that hugs the face.
How long do I use blue light therapy for acne?
Different blue light treatments will require different lengths, and you should always stick to the recommended guidance.
For our Anti-Acne Blue Light Therapy Mask, we recommend using the device 3 to 5 times a week for 6 weeks. We advise then undergoing a 1 to 2 week break from treatment, before then beginning the 6 week cycle once more.
Blue light therapy side effects
Our blue led light therapy treatments should only be used to treat mild to moderate acne. For more severe forms of acne, you should always speak with your doctor or a professional dermatologist for advice and guidance.
Our blue light mask should also only be used in conjunction with certain skincare products. For the full list of contraindications, see the list here.
To limit the possible side effects of blue light therapy, it’s important to limit exposure to blue LED light, and therefore, we recommend using the provided protective goggle inserts for the duration of your light therapy session.
