Does blue LED light therapy work for acne?
Maybe a little, for mild to moderate spots. But the trials are small and mixed. In one, blue light did no better than a pharmacy spot gel you can buy today.
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Does blue LED light therapy work for acne?
It may help a little, but nobody can say for sure. A Cochrane review, which pools trials, found 71 studies of light for acne. Most were small, with 31 people in a typical one.
It couldn’t say if light beats a dummy treatment, no treatment or creams.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does light beat a dummy treatment or no treatment? | Not clear |
| Does light beat creams? | Not clear |
| How long does any benefit last? | Not clear |
| How good is the evidence? | High-quality evidence is lacking |
Source: Cochrane
Take one trial of 31 people. Blue light on half the face, twice a week for 4 weeks, left that side 52% better at 8 weeks. The untreated side was 12% better.
In a home trial of 35 people, a blue and red light was used twice a day for 4 weeks. 8 weeks later, 14 of 18 were clear or almost clear, against 2 of 17 with a dummy device.
The idea makes sense on paper. Acne germs make a natural pigment that soaks up blue light, and the reaction can kill them. But proof that this happens on real skin is limited.
So treat blue light as an extra you might try, not your first step.
Is blue light better than benzoyl peroxide?
Not for spots. That pharmacy gel from the top of the page is benzoyl peroxide.
In a trial of 60 people, spots fell in both groups after 4 weeks. There was no clear difference between blue light and the gel.
| Blue light | 5% benzoyl peroxide gel | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Twice a week for 4 weeks | Twice a day for 4 weeks |
| Spots | No clear difference | No clear difference |
| Skin side effects | 7 of 30 had mild peeling or dry skin | 28 of 30 had some redness, peeling, dryness or burning |
Source: Cochrane (de Arruda 2009)
In this small trial, the gel cut spots about as much, but it was harder on skin. If it stings, the skin doctors’ advice is to stop for a few days, then use it less often and build up slowly.
Gel too harsh? Other pharmacy options include salicylic acid and azelaic acid.
Are blue LED masks safe to use at home?
Trials didn’t report side effects well. Where they did, no one had scars, and blistering showed up only with intense pulsed light, infrared light and photodynamic therapy. Cochrane rated this evidence very low quality.
The bigger worry is your eyes. In 2019, a home blue and red light acne mask was recalled in Australia over the safety of blue light on the eyes. Reported eye problems were generally mild, rare and short-lived.
The recall named who may be at risk of damage to the retina, the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye. That’s people with an existing eye condition, such as some inherited ones, or on medicines that make the eyes more sensitive to light.
Before you use a blue light mask at home
- Have an eye condition, or take a medicine that makes you sensitive to light? Ask your optician or GP before you use one.
- Follow the maker’s instructions on time and eye protection.
- Stop and get your eyes checked if your vision changes.
- Count it as an extra. The home trial tested blue and red light together, in 35 people.
Sources: Australian recall notice; Cochrane
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Can I get light therapy for acne on the NHS?
Rarely. NICE says light treatments are not part of current NHS practice for acne. It has asked for more research on light devices.
The one it says to consider is photodynamic therapy, given by a skin specialist. A cream makes the skin more sensitive to light, then a light is shone on it.
NICE says to consider it for people aged 18 and over with moderate to severe acne. That’s if other treatments don’t work, don’t suit or can’t be used.
Light therapy comes last in UK acne care
- 1
Pharmacy
Benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
- 2
GP
A 12-week course of a first-line treatment, usually a cream or gel.
- 3
Skin specialist
Stronger options, such as isotretinoin tablets.
- 4
Photodynamic therapy
Age 18 and over, moderate to severe acne, if other treatments don’t work, don’t suit or can’t be used.
Sources: NHS; NICE NG198
Skin doctors say light and laser treatments have given mixed results, and usually don’t work for severe acne. If your acne is severe, ask your GP about a referral instead.
What should I try first for spots?
A cream or gel from the pharmacy, used properly for long enough. Most treatments take at least 12 weeks to show much change.
Six steps before you buy a light
- Wash your skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser.
- Try benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. A pharmacist can help you choose.
- Spread it over the whole area with spots, not just on each spot.
- If your skin gets red and sore, stop for a few days, then use it less often and build up slowly.
- Don’t pick or squeeze spots, because this can cause scars.
- Give it 12 weeks before you judge it.
Sources: NHS; British Association of Dermatologists
Already left with marks? Here’s what helps acne scars.
Curious about natural options? Read tea tree oil for spots.
When to speak to a GP
Book an appointment if:
- You’ve tried treating your spots yourself but they’re not getting better.
- You have lots of spots, or the spots are deep, painful or causing scars.
- You have signs of a skin infection, such as hot, swollen and red skin. Redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.
- Your spots are affecting your mental health.
Very severe acne that comes with feeling unwell all over needs same-day hospital care. If you feel you may be about to harm yourself, call 999 or go to A&E.