Blue Light therapy is a form of acne treatment that destroys the bacteria that cause acne. The therapy usually consists of 4 to 8 sessions, and may need to be repeated every 3 or 4 months. Individual patients may have different levels of discomfort during the treatments, ranging from relatively painless to moderate discomfort. Recovery time is minimal with this type of acne treatment, but certain steps should be followed to reduce skin irritation.
Avoid Sunlight
Avoid direct sunlight for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Blue Light therapy makes the skin more sensitive, and sun exposure could cause redness and irritation. Your doctor will probably ask you to wear sunscreen after the procedure and to stay indoors.
Skin Care
The after effects of a Blue Light therapy session can be mild swelling, redness, dryness and tenderness of the treated area. Over the counter pain medications may be used, as well as ice packs for swelling and bland facial lotions or Vaseline for any dryness.
Follow the Doctor's Instructions
Your doctor may have certain care instructions to follow after a treatment, such as applying sunscreen, gentle washing or applying an antibiotic ointment. The doctor may also have special instructions for your specific skin type and for the particular area that was treated.
Blue Light therapy is considered a safe procedure, and is milder than skin treatments that use chemicals. Most patients will be able to return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after therapy, and possibly even the same day of the treatment.
