Blue and Red Light Dual Phototherapy

Combining Blue and Red Light Phototherapy Offers the Best of Both Worlds

Blue and red light dual phototherapy combines both the individual red and blue phototherapy treatments into a single treatment. Combining the antibacterial action of blue light with the regenerative action of red light results in a more efficient and effective phototherapy for acne sufferers. Research indicates that this combined approach is more effective than either of the individual treatments alone.

How Does Blue and Red Dual Phototherapy Work?

Red light phototherapy stimulates the growth of epithelial cells, production of collagen and acceleration of wound healing. Blue light phototherapy kills P. acnes bacteria by exciting a bacterial molecule called porphyrin. Blue and Red dual phototherapy delivers both of these benefits simultaneously. Treatment is usually delivered using LED based light systems. This type of treatment can also be combined with photo dynamic therapy (PDT), which increases the antibacterial effect of blue light therapy.

Is Blue and Red Dual Phototherapy an Effective Treatment for Acne?

Research Indicates Combination Phototherapy can Significantly Improve Acne Symptoms (Lee, et al)

Research indicates that blue and red light dual phototherapy is an effective treatment for acne. The large majority of research studies demonstrate significant improvements in the acne symptoms of research subjects after 2-4 weeks. The degree of improvement usually corresponds to the frequency and intensity of treatment. Daily treatment with high intensity light appears to be the most effective.

How and Where is Blue and Red Dual Phototherapy Administered?

Combined light therapy, like other types of LED-based light therapy can be done at home or in a clinical environment. LED-based light therapy is a simple and generally safe treatment that does not require extensive oversight.

How Much Does Blue and Red Dual Phototherapy Cost?

LED-Based Acne Phototherapy Products Vary Widely in Cost and Effectiveness

The costs of LED based blue and red light dual phototherapy can vary significantly, usually depending on the cost of the system itself. In the clinical setting, the cost can range from 20 to 100 dollars a session. At home systems are available as inexpensive, handheld devices capable of spot treatment (starting at 30 dollars), or as large LED panels capable of full facial treatment (up to 700 dollars). While small handheld devices can be helpful for treating individual acne lesions, they are impractical for full face treatment. For preventative and full facial treatment, high intensity LED panels that produce blue and red light are the most effective and practical options. Most clinics use large multi-panel systems of red and blue LEDs that can treat the entire face area in one treatment. You can create an LED panel yourself, if you so desire. But the cost savings may not be as high as expected because 415 nm LED bulbs usually cost at least 75 cents apiece.

Popular LED Phototherapy Systems

Acnelamp
Dermaglow
Lightwave
LightStim
Revitalight

Before and After Red and Blue Dual Phototherapy Pictures of Acne Patients

A collection of before and after patient pics for blue and red light dual phototherapy can be found here.

References and Sources

Blue and Red Light Combination LED Phototherapy for Acne Vulgaris in Patients with Skin Phototype IV.
Lee, et al. 2006. For article abstract, click here.
Combination blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment of mild to severe acne vulgaris.
Goldberg, et al. 2006. For article abstract, click here.
Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Papageorgiou, et al. 2000. For article abstract, click here.

Additional Online Resources

Light Therapy – Wikipedia
Patient reviews of LED light therapy @ RealSelf.com
Light therapy reviews @ acne.org

the Science of Acne

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In Depth: Blue and Red Light Dual Phototherapy