Frequently Asked Questions about Red and Blue Light Acne Treatment

Questions about treatment:

• How does the light work to help clear up acne?
• Will light therapy work for me?  What kind of results can I expect?
• How do I use these lights?
• Can I use the light on other places besides my face? (Back and body acne, etc.)
• What about sunburn or skin cancer?
• Are there any side effects?
• Precautions. 

Questions about the lights themselves:

• What kind of lights are these?
• What are the wavelengths of these lights?
• Do I need a special fixture for these bulbs?
• Notes for international visitors.

Questions About Treatment

How does the light work to help clear up acne?
Blue Light:
P. acnes, the bacterial responsible for causing acne inflammation, pumps out tiny molecules called porphyrins. When those porphyrin are exposed to certain wavelengths of light (blue), they produce free radicals that kill the bacteria that causes inflammatory acne. Read more >>
Red Light:
Red light has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect on the skin. In fact, research done by David Olszewski, co- author of the book "Light Years Ahead" has shown that skin heals almost 200% faster when exposed to red light.Read more >>

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Will light therapy work for me? 
Blue and Red light therapy is effective for about 85% of people.

What kind of results can I expect?
Results vary by individual.   You should start to notice results within the first 2 weeks of consistent treatment.  After 4 weeks of consistent treatment most people notice about 60% reduction in visible acne. After 12 weeks those participating in the research experienced clearing of about 76%. 

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How do I use these lights?

Pre-Treatment

• Use a proper fixture and set your light(s) up in a safe place.
• Wash the face or affected area and allow to dry.

Initial Treatments

• Sit at a comfortable distance from the bulb, (2-3 feet.) Do not sit closer than 2 feet from the bulb.
• In order to clear the acne as fast as possible, begin your treatment by using the blue light for 15 minutes daily.
• The purpose of the red light is to heal and rejuvenate the skin. It is beneficial for healthy skin as well. Use it in the same manner as the blue.
• When treating the face, be sure to turn your head occasionally to allow even distribution of the light.
• Please wear the provided eye shields during treatment.
• The lights may be used one at a time or at the same time.

Extended Treatments

After the acne is cleared, decrease your treatments to 15 minutes with blue light every other day.

If this keeps your breakouts under control, try decreasing treatments again to 2 or 3 times per week.

Continue in that manner until you find the right number of weekly sessions necessary to stay ahead of your breakouts.

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Can I use the lights on other places besides my face?
Yes, blue and red light therapy is safe and beneficial for the entire body.

What about sunburn or skin cancer?
There is no UV in these bulbs, there is no risk of sunburn or skin cancer.

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Are there any side effects?


• Red light therapy has been reported to irritate Rosacea - use blue light only to treat acne where Rosacea is also present.
• Blue light has been reported to darken the Asian skin tone.
• Read more about the affects of the colors red and blue upon the human being here.

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Precautions

• Please do not use light therapy if you are taking any medication that causes photosensitivity.
• Some recent information has said that blue light from the sun may be harmful to the eyes - please wear the provided goggles for your protection.
• Red light is not necessary or recommended for kids and teens because they heal fast enough on their own without introducing the stimualting effects of the color red. Click here to read more about this.

Questions about the lights themselves:


What kind of lights are these?
These are GE's 150Watt Dichro-Color lamps. The blue light includes wavelengths 405-420nm. The red light includes wavelength 660nm. A dichroic filter is on the inside surface of the heat resistant glass lens. The filter produces a specific color by selectively transmitting only the desired wavelengths of light with virtually no energy absorption. Light of other wavelengths is reflected back into the lamp. Result: Dichro-Color lamps produce colors that are richer and clearer than those produced by ordinary color lamps, decreasing the amount of exposure time required for therapeutic purposes. More information >>

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Do I need a special fixture for these bulbs?
These bulbs are the size and shape of a regular flood light and will fit into a standard sized socket, however, the fixture must have a ceramic socket or be rated for at least 150Watts. We offer a line of fixtures for these bulbs suitable for personal or professional use. You may also find a proper fixture at your local hardware, photography, or pet store. Ask for a fixture with a ceramic socket or one rated for at least 150 watts.

The bulbs are designed for use with a 120 Volt power supply. International customers may need a voltage adapter.

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Notes for international visitors.

Our Dichro-Color Lights are designed for use with 120 volt electrical systems. If your standard voltage output is not 120 volt, you will need a voltage adapter to use these lights. To avoid further international shipping charges, and make sure you get the right one, it is best to purchase the voltage adapter within your own country. Suitable voltage adapters cost $25-$30.

International shipping for Dichro-Color Lamps and their accessories is currently suspended until October 1st 2006 (or before) while our systems are being upgraded to better serve you. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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Due to overwhelming demand, blue lights are out of stock until 11/22/06. When our stock arrives, orders will be filled in the order that they are received. Thank you for your patience.