Acne Lightbox Treatments - How the Britebox dermaclear works
Blue Light (415nm)
It has long been known that sun light (UV light) can improve acne. However, because of photo ageing and medical side effects, UV lights are not recommended as safe treatments for acne.
More recently, a peak wavelength of 415nm, which is outside the UV range and therefore safe, has been found to be a highly effective acne light treatment. It is known that Propionibacterium acnes (P. acne) produce porphyrins during their normal life cycle. Porphyrins absorb light energy at the near UV and visible blue light spectrum. The irradiation of P. acnes with blue visible lights (415nm) lead to photoexcitation of bacterial porphyrins, singlet oxygen production and eventually bacterial destruction.
Red Light (660nm)
It has been found that exposure to 660nm low-level wavelengths release cytokines. Cytokines stimulate fibroblast proliferation and the production of growth factors, thus influencing the inflammatory process, healing and ultimately wound repair and has been found to significantly improve postoperative open wounds.
In the first study of its kind, conducted at Hammersmith Hospital, Dr Chu et al evaluated the use of a mixed blue and red light (peaks at 415nm and 660nm) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. 107 subjects were randomised into four treatment groups:
- Blue light
- Cool white light (placebo)
- 5% benzoyl peroxide
- Mixed blue and red light
Treatment consisted of 15-minute irradiation in front of a portable light unit each day.
The red/blue mix had significantly better results than the other treatment groups. Improvements were clearly noticeable after only 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, the blue/red treatment achieved a mean improvement of 76% in inflammatory lesions and a mean improvement in comedones of 58%, which exceeded any of the other treatments. Thus showing that acne lightbox treatments, which utilise the red and blue lights, are very effective.
More recently however, Dr Goldberg and Dr Russell replicated this study with the use of LEDs as the red/blue light source (633nm and 415nm respectively). They achieved an astounding mean lesion reduction of 81%.
They concluded that:
"[the] combination blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment of mild to severe acne" (2.) We have been treating acne with light for 6 years now and have an excellent treatment response… see our customer testimonials
References.
(1.) Dr A Chu (2000). Phototherapy with blue and red light in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris. British Journal of Dematology. 142: 973-978
(2.) David J. Goldberg & Bruce A. Russell (2006). Combination blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment of mild to severe acne vulgaris. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 8: 71-75
Please see: acne lightbox treatments main studies: (LEDs)
Please see: acne lightbox treatments main studies: (Flourescent light)
