Blue Light Acne Treatment
Blue light works as an acne treatment because blue light has
an antibacterial effect on the skin. When blue light shines
on skin with acne, it kills the bacteria that causes the acne.
Yet blue light does not alter DNA, as is the case with UV light.
Blue light does not disrupt the ability of cells to carry-out
the natural process of cell division. Blue light acne treatment
is considered a type of acne
laser treatment.
How then, can blue light serve as a source of acne treatment?
It works primarily because of its wavelength, 415 nm.
The bacteria called P. acne produces a chemical that has
the structure of a porphyrin. Certain elements of a porphyrin
molecule (particularly the oxygen) can be easily removed,
under the right conditions.
The blue light excites the porphyrins in the bacteria and
causes the release of oxygen atoms from the porphyrin molecule.
Two atoms of oxygen make the oxygen molecule which is essential
to most living creatures. Singlet oxygen offers fewer benefits
to a living organism. In fact singlet oxygen can damage living
cells. Single oxygen molecules damage bacteria, causing it
to die or stop reporducing.
The use of blue light acne treatment guarantees two important
benefits. The blue light is safe. As mentioned above, it does
not alter the cells’ DNA, as does UV light. In addition,
the use of blue light treatment has not been linked to any
sort of side effects. Still, blue light therapy is not an
ideal acne remedy for every acne patient.
An online search for information about blue light treatment
reveals one drawback to this treatment type. It appears that
a large percentage of treatment locations are in places with
considerable wealth and affluence.
Further, most insurance companies will not cover the cost
of a blue light treatment, partly because it is so costly.
A patient with limited means may not be able to pay for a
blue light treatment. Looking at natural
acne scar treatment may be the only option for some people.
Patients who feel that they could derive great benefit from
blue light treatment may ask their doctor about the possibility
of making a series of small payments for the treatment (rather
than a large, single payment). Some physicians even offer
literature on plans that facilitate the making of such payments.
If not, a patient should ask their doctor about other ways
to get
rid of acne.
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