What is Light Therapy?

Over the past few years, researchers have found that light therapy can help some individuals reduce the presence of acne-causing bacteria in their pores. This has led some people to choose light therapy over traditional forms of acne treatment such as benzoyl peroxide-based over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. While some patients find that light therapy works well for them, there are some disadvantages to this option. Therefore it is important to consider the benefits and disadvantages before deciding whether you want to use light therapy or OTC treatments manufactured by companies such as Proactiv.

Killing Bacteria with Light Therapy and Proactiv

The only way that you can truly stop acne is by killing bacteria that resides in your pores. Light therapy has actually proven itself surprisingly useful in this area. That’s because certain wavelengths of light kill bacteria by releasing singlet oxygen in the skin. It’s an interesting way to kill bacteria that causes very few side effects.

Proactiv’s OTC products contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These substances have also been found to kill acne-causing bacteria. In this respect, light therapy and Proactiv are almost equally matched. Both kill bacteria and reduce the presence of acne within a few weeks to a few months depending on the individual.

Can Light Therapy Cleanse Skin Like Proactiv?

Although light therapy is highly effective at killing bacteria, it cannot cleanse pores of sebum and dead skin cells. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, however, are used specifically because they are so effective at cleaning out pores while killing bacteria. This is a huge disadvantage for light therapy. Clogged pores are breeding grounds for bacteria. Even though light therapy can kill bacteria, it cannot eliminate the reasons that bacteria thrives so well in certain types of skin. In the end, you’ll likely see that pimples return because you haven’t attacked the pimples at their source.

Is Light Therapy Affordable?

Proactiv also beats light therapy when it comes to cost. Proactiv products are very affordable and they last a long time. Devices designed for light therapy, however, often cost hundreds of dollars. There are some options that cost about $100; making them the cheapest on the market, but these products might not provide the same benefits as light therapy machines that cost substantially more money. In fact, there are some concerns about whether at-home light therapy devices can even offer the same level of satisfaction as treatments received in a doctor’s office. That’s largely because doctors have a lot of experience using specialized equipment. Home users, however, might not have the money or training to use light therapy properly.

In a novel approach to light therapy, one dermatologist recently created an iPhone app that emits red and blue light to treat acne. If it worked, then this would be the absolute cheapest way to prevent acne breakouts. So far, though, there is no proof that the app works. Instead, it seems like a money-making scheme that takes advantage of the public’s ignorance about effective light therapy techniques.

Proactiv, however, has a proven track record that shows its products work well for most people without causing significant side effects.