Clinical Studies
Clinical Studies
Light Therapy for Acne Treatment
Light therapy, using blue and red wavelengths, has become an effective treatment for acne vulgaris, targeting the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and reducing inflammation.
Blue Light Therapy:
Key Action: Blue light (415 nm) destroys acne-causing bacteria by activating bacterial porphyrins, leading to bacterial cell destruction.
Studies:
PMC3806074: Blue light significantly reduced hyperkeratinization and inflammation in acne-prone skin.
PMC2923954: Self-applied blue light therapy improved mild-to-moderate acne.
PUBMED: 12589953: High-intensity blue light eradicated P. acnes.
Conclusion: Effective for reducing acne lesions by targeting bacteria.
Red Light Therapy:
Key Action: Red light (630-660 nm) penetrates deeper, reduces inflammation, and stimulates collagen production.
Studies:
PUBMED: 17111415: Blue and red light combined improved acne in patients with darker skin tones.
PUBMED: 10809858: Red light, in combination with blue light, significantly improved acne severity.
Conclusion: Red light reduces inflammation and promotes healing, complementing blue light therapy.
Combination Therapy (Blue + Red Light):
Key Action: Combining blue and red light targets both acne bacteria and inflammation.
Studies:
PUBMED: 16766484: Combined blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) light showed a 77.93% improvement in inflammatory lesions.
PMC8537635: Combination therapy provided better results for acne compared to blue light alone.
Conclusion: The combination is highly effective in treating acne by tackling multiple causes.
Moderate Acne Treatment:
Key Action: Combination light therapy is effective for moderate acne by targeting bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Studies:
PUBMED:19391058: Blue (415 nm) and near-infrared (830 nm) light significantly improved moderate acne lesions.
Conclusion: Suitable for moderate acne treatment, offering a holistic approach.
Blue Light for Severe Acne:
Key Action: Blue light can also benefit severe acne, often used with other topical treatments.
Studies:
PUBMED:18789052: Blue light showed significant improvements in severe acne.
Conclusion: Blue light is effective for both mild and severe acne.
Non-Thermal Blue and Near-Infrared Light:
Key Action: Non-thermal blue light (405-425 nm) and near-infrared (850-890 nm) help reduce inflammation and promote skin healing.
Studies:
PUBMED:16414904: Non-thermal light reduced acne symptoms and promoted healing.
Conclusion: Non-thermal blue and near-infrared light is a novel and effective acne treatment.
Conclusion:
Light therapy, particularly with blue and red wavelengths, is an effective, non-invasive solution for acne treatment. Blue light targets acne-causing bacteria, while red light reduces inflammation and promotes skin healing. Combining both enhances results. Light therapy is safe and beneficial for mild to moderate acne, and also shows efficacy in severe cases when used with other treatments.
Light Therapy Clinical Studies For Acne Treatment:
Combination Blue(415 nm) and Red(633 nm) for acne vulgaris
Objective: To investigate the efficacy of combined blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) light therapy.
Methodology: 24 patients skin type II-V treated twice a week for 4 to 8 weeks with alternating blue and red light sessions.
Results: 81% improvement and severe acne showed marginally better response than mild acne.
Conclusion: Combination blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment of mild to severe acne. Treatment appears to be both pain- and side effect-free.
Blue 415 nm and red light 633 nm combination LED phototherapy for acne vulgaris in patients with skin phototype IV
Objective: To investigate the efficacy of combined blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) light therapy.
Methodology: 24 patients skin type IV treated twice a week for 4 to 8 weeks with alternating blue and red light sessions.
Results: Non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions were 34.28% and 77.93%, respectively.
Conclusion: Blue and red light combination LED phototherapy is an effective, safe and non-painful treatment for mild to moderately severe acne vulgaris, particularly for papulopustular acne lesions.
An open study to determine the efficacy of blue light in the treatment of mild to moderate acne
Objective: To evaluate the effect of narrowband blue light on inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.
Methodology: 30 subjects received eight 10- or 20-minute treatments over 4 weeks. Lesion counts were assessed at weeks 5, 8, and 12.
Results: Significant reduction in inflammatory lesions observed from week 5, continuing to week 12. Little effect on non-inflammatory lesions. Treatment was well tolerated with mild adverse events.
Conclusion: Narrowband blue light effectively reduces inflamed lesions in mild to moderate acne.
Clinical Efficacy of Self-applied Blue Light Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Facial Acne
Objective: To assess clinical and histopathological changes in acne lesions following blue light therapy with self applied method.
Methodology: Twenty-one subjects concluded the study (18/21 were female and 3/21 were male with a mean age of 31 years).
Results: The study showed that daily self treatment using the device for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne reduced the number of inflammatory acne lesions significantly.
Conclusion: The total number of pustules measured within subjects during treatment had reduced, but this difference was not statistically significant. Similar results were witnessed for the nodules. Moreover, the study demonstrated a significant improvement of the subjects’ skin conditions.
420 nm intense continuous light therapy for acne
Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of high-intensity blue light (ClearLight) on acne.
Methodology: 28 subjects received eight biweekly 15-minute treatments. Clinical counts and skin measurements were taken.
Results: 64.7% improvement in acne lesions. Ultrastructural analysis showed damaged P. acnes but no significant bacterial count change.
Conclusion: ClearLight blue light is useful for treating acne, with further investigation needed for mechanism elucidation.
Low-level red LED light inhibits hyperkeratinization and inflammation induced by unsaturated fatty acid in an in vitro model mimicking acne
Objective: To evaluate the effects of low-level red LED light on hyperkeratinization and inflammation in an acne model.
Methodology: Acne models were treated with red LED light to assess its impact on inflammation markers and keratinocyte differentiation.
Results: Reduced skin inflammation, prevent irritation-induced thickening, speed up repair of the skin’s protective barrier.
Conclusion: Low level red LED light therapy could provide beneficial effects of anti-inflammation, normalizing pilosebaceous hyperkeratinization.
A possible mechanism for the bactericidal effect of visible light
Objective: To explore the bactericidal mechanisms of blue light on Propionibacterium acnes.
Methodology: Exposed P. acnes cultures to visible blue light and measured the bactericidal effects.
Results: Visible light activates endogenous porphyrins in P. acnes, generating reactive oxygen species that destroy bacterial cells.
Conclusion: Visible light effectively eliminates P. acnes and can be utilized in acne treatment.
A study to determine the effect of combination blue (415 nm) and near-infrared (830 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) therapy for moderate acne vulgaris
Objective: To assess the efficacy of combined blue (415 nm) and near-infrared (830 nm) light therapy.
Methodology: 17 patients received twice-weekly 20-minute sessions for 8 weeks.
Results: Improvement in acne lesions from 0% to 83%, Non-inflammatory lesion counts increased in four patients, but improved in the other seven by an average of 48.8%. No adverse effects reported.
Conclusion: Combined therapy shows potential but is less effective than blue/red light combinations.
Blue-Light Therapy for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Objective: To assessed the effectiveness of blue-light therapy for acne.
Methodology: We analyzed randomized controlled trials comparing blue light with nonlight interventions.
Results: Improvement in acne lesions, with some patients showing significant lesion reduction.
Conclusion: Methodological and reporting limitations of existing evidence limit conclusions about the effectiveness of blue light for acne.
Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris
Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of blue and red light on acne vulgaris.
Methodology: Patients were treated with a combination of 415 nm blue light and 660 nm red light for 12 weeks.
Results: After 12 weeks of active treatment a mean improvement of 76% (95% confidence interval 66-87) in inflammatory lesions was achieved by the combined blue-red light phototherapy.
Conclusion: We have found that phototherapy with mixed blue-red light, probably by combining antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action, is an effective means of treating acne vulgaris of mild to moderate severity, with no significant short-term adverse effects.
Light therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris
Objective: To review current technologies of laser/light-based devices, to review the clinical experience and result.
Methodology: Lasers and light-based Systematic analysis of studies on acne treatment.
Results: At 3 months after the last treatment, clearance is approximately 70% to 80%. The nonrespondent rate is 15% to 20%.
Conclusion: Laser and light-based therapy is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.
Randomized trial of three phototherapy methods for the treatment of acne vulgaris in Chinese patients
Objective: To review current technologies of laser/light-based devices, to review the clinical experience and result.
Methodology: 150 patients received photodynamic therapy (PDT), intense pulsed light (IPL) or blue-red light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy.
Results: At 1 month, ≥90% clearance or moderate improvement occurred in 46/50 (92%), 29/50 (58%) and 22/50 (44%) patients in the PDT, IPL and LED groups
Conclusion: Phototherapy is efficacious for moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris.
Light-emitting diode 415 nm in the treatment of inflammatory acne: an open-label, multicentric, pilot investigation
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 415 nm blue LED therapy for inflammatory acne.
Methodology: Forty-five patients were treated with high-intensity pure blue light, 415 nm and 48 J/cm2, receiving two treatments of 20 minutes per week for a period of 4-8 weeks.
Results: Nine patients experienced complete clearing at 8 weeks. The treatment was well tolerated, with 50% of patients highly satisfied with the treatment.
Conclusion: This open-label study suggests the therapeutic efficacy of high-intensity LED pure blue light in the treatment of acne vulgaris with no reported side effects.
Blue light for infectious diseases: Propionibacterium acnes, Helicobacter pylori, and beyond?
Objective: To explore the broader applications of blue light in bacteria, including P. acnes and microbial infections.
Methodology: Laboratory studies on various bacteria, including P. acnes. View Details
Results: Overall, there was up to 80% improvement in acne lesions. There were no bacterial changes before or after the therapy. View Details
Conclusion: After great improvement in acne investigators believed that blue light does appear to have role in acne treatment.
An assessment of the efficacy of blue light phototherapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris
Objective: Blue light 415-425 nm (peak 420 nm) in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Methodology: 21 patients with mild to moderate facial acne were treated with blue light phototherapy for 4 weeks.
Results: Significant improvement was achieved in the Leeds Acne.
Conclusion: We believe that blue light does appear to have some role in the management of mild to moderate acne patients.
A new targeted blue light phototherapy for the treatment of acne
Objective: The effects of blue light phototherapy on inflammatory acne lesions were recently investigated.
Methodology: Ten Japanese patients with acne on the face or back were treated with targeted blue light once or twice a week.
Results: Of the 10 patients, eight had a significantly reduced acne severity score without any side effects. Although two patients discontinued the study because of unsatisfactory results, none of the patients showed any harmful side effects.
Conclusion: Targeted blue light phototherapy with MultiClear is effective for the treatment of inflammatory acne lesions.
Evaluation of self-treatment of mild-to-moderate facial acne with a blue light treatment system
Objective: Evaluated blue light device with cleanser and serum containing glycolic and salicylic acid, niacinamide...
Methodology: Volunteers with mild-to-moderate facial inflammatory acne used the blue light device twice daily for eight weeks, plus the cleanser before treatments and the serum after each evening treatment.
Results: 82% were satisfied, very satisfied, or extremely satisfied with the blue light treatment system and 86% agreed the treatment system was much gentler than traditional acne treatments.
Conclusion: The blue light treatment system offers effective, rapid, convenient and well tolerated treatment of inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions.
Phototherapy For Mild To Moderate Acne Vulgaris With Portable Blue And Red Led
Objective: We studied portable blue and red light-emitting-diode (LED) light sources inphototherapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris to evaluate the e±cacy and tolerance ofpatients. Patients, randomly divided into blue and red groups,
Methodology: Blue light 405±10 nm power of 30 mW/cm². The red LED light 630±10 nm 48 mW/cm² , respectively used.
Results: After complete treatment, the number of lesionsreduced by 71.4% in the blue group, in contrast to 19.5% in the red group. No obvious side effects were observed during and one month after the treatment,
Conclusion: Our study of blue and red light phototherapy ofportable LED light sources has con¯rmed itse®ectiveness on reducing in°ammatory lesions ofacne vulgaris, especially in the blue light group.
The clinical and histological effect of home-use, combination blue–red LED phototherapy for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris in Korean patients: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and histological changes of combined blue and red LED phototherapy for acne vulgaris.
Methodology: Thirty-five patients with mild-to-moderate acne were randomly assigned 420-nm blue light and 660-nm red light.
Results: Both inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions had decreased significantly, by 77% and 54%, respectively.
Conclusion: This LED phototherapy was safe and effective for treating not only inflammatory but also noninflammatory acne lesions, with good compliance.
Combination Treatment Of Acne Vulgaris With 630 nm Light Emitting Diode Therapy
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 630 nm LED therapy in combination with conventional treatments (topical retinoids, antibiotics, CO2 laser, and pulsed dye laser for managing acne vulgaris across different severity grades (Burton Grades 1–5).
Methodology: Topical retinoids (0.025–0.05%), antibiotics (1% clindamycin gel), CO2 laser (for comedone drainage), pulsed dye laser (for inflammation), 630 nm LED therapy (80 J/cm², 3.3 mW/cm²) weekly for 3 months.
Results: 78% clearance grade 5 after 3 months, remarkable improvement with grade 4 droped to grade 2. Overall significant improvement in all cases.
Conclusion: The 630 nm LED therapy is an effective adjunct to conventional treatments for acne vulgaris, particularly for inflammatory and severe cases (Grades 3–5). Its deep penetration (minimal melanin interference) and anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable for Asian skin, with no significant side effects.
Prospective, open, randomized, comparative clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of blue light versus 5% benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of grade II and III inflammatory acne
Objective: To verify the safety and efficacy of blue light 407 to 420 nm in the treatment of inflammatory acne grades II and III, compared to topical therapy with 5% benzoyl peroxide.
Methodology: The study evaluated 60 patients in five visits: Thirty were randomized to blue light (eight sessions, twice a week), and another 30 to 5% benzoyl peroxide, twice a day, daily.
Results: The reduction in the average number of lesions was similar with both treatments, regardless of the type of lesion (p > 0.05), but treatment with blue light presented fewer side effects.
Conclusion: Blue light was as effective a treatment as 5% benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of grade II and III acne, but with fewer adverse effects.
Topical ALA PDT for the treatment of severe acne vulgaris
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-medicated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of severe acne vulgaris.
Methodology: A total of 78 Chinese patients with Grade 4 severe facial acne were treated with 1–3 courses of ALA PDT. ALA cream (10%) was applied topically to acne lesions for 3 h.
Results: 22% of patients showed excellent improvement after one-course treatment and another 34% showed excellent improvement after two-course. The rest (44%) required three-course treatment to further reduce the number and size of residual lesions.
Conclusion: ALA PDT is a simple, safe and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of severe acne.
Low-dose topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of different severity of acne vulgaris
Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of low-concentration 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in the treatment of different severity of acne vulgaris and optimize the treatment regimen.
Methodology: A self-controlled multicenter clinical trial was carried out in 15 centers throughout China. A total of 397 acne patients of grade II–IV received 3- or 4-session PDT treatment.
Results: The effective rate overall and of grade II, III and IV are 82.1%, 71.6%, 79.6% and 88.2%, respectively.
Conclusion: A low-dose 5% ALA-PDT regimen (1-hour incubation, 3 sessions) is optimal for acne vulgaris in Chinese patients, showing superior efficacy for severe cystic acne (Grade IV) with mild side effects.