LED light therapy is touted by social media influencers as a trendy way to treat acne.
And it actually appears to work, according to a new evidence review.
Both red and blue LED light therapy are safe and effective in clearing up mild to moderate acne, researchers reported in JAMA Dermatology.
Senior researcher Dr. John Barbieri, director of the Advanced Acne Therapeutics Clinic at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, stated in a news release: “We found individuals who use red and/or blue LED devices experienced a significant reduction in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions compared to the control groups.”
How LED Therapy Works
LED light therapy is thought to work by targeting the bacteria that causes acne and reducing skin inflammation, researchers said in background notes.
Blue LED light therapy also might reduce activity in the sebaceous glands of hair follicles, causing them to produce less pore-clogging oil, Harvard Medical School notes. It affects the uppermost layer of skin.
On the other hand, red light is believed to act on skin cells that play a role in producing collagen, a protein that helps skin recover when damaged, Harvard says. Red light penetrates deeper into skin.
Study Findings
For their review, researchers pooled data from six studies of LED therapy for acne involving 216 participants.
The LED devices resulted in about a 45% improvement in acne lesions and symptoms compared to control conditions that included exposure to white light, no light, or a sham light, researchers report.
Two of the six studies found that LED therapy worked even better than benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in over-the-counter and prescription acne creams, researchers added.
Improvement typically was noted after one to three months.
Safety Profile
Side effects from the devices were minimal, with mild dryness and skin irritation occasionally reported.
Barbieri stated: “These devices may serve as a complementary or alternative tool for individuals who experience side effects or insufficient improvement from traditional acne medications.”
Combined Treatment
The therapies work best when used together, researchers noted.
One study included in the analysis found that “the combination of red and blue light resulted in greater improvement in lesions and acne clearance.”
Need for More Research
However, researchers noted that larger clinical trials are needed to determine the best light wavelengths and treatment duration for combating acne.
These studies also should explore the long-term outcomes of skin exposure to LED light.
This evidence review provides scientific support for a treatment popularized by social media, suggesting that LED light therapy represents a legitimate and relatively safe option for people seeking alternatives or supplements to traditional acne medications.
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