Why does it work? Science believes the lights kill the bacteria which cause acne and other similar problems without affecting the skin. When blue light reaches the sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin, it can help excite porphyrins, which are compounds inside acne bacteria. When activated by light, these porphyrins kill the bacteria from the inside out. This sets the Blue and Red light treatment apart from other procedures which actually affect the skin, like a chemical peel.

Light therapy for acne treatment works for the great majority of people. For a small minority of those who suffer, it doesn’t work or shows very little positive results. Because of this, it’s best to consult with experts before deciding on this kind of treatment.

This particular kind of light therapy is new. But the idea of using light to treat other problems is long established in medical science. For instance, ultraviolet light has long been known as an effective treatment for psoriasis.

Side effects are minimal. Very rarely people who are unusually sensitive to UV light will have some redness or irritation. This is less than a mild sunburn and goes away pretty quickly.

Because the treatment is done in moderated amounts and carefully observed, the chance of skin issues is extremely small. Available research shows this is safer than tanning beds or laying in the sun for long periods of time.