Blemish-prone skin is a fact of life for most of us at one point or another and can have a huge impact on self-esteem. If you’re spending an extra few minutes in front of the mirror colour-correcting with concealer or applying pimple patches, know that you’re not alone.
While you’ll find an abundance of blemish relief balms, creams and everything in between on the shop shelves, if you’re seeing spots pop up later in life, you might be looking for something a little more effective for banishing unwelcome blemishes. Enter blue light therapy. That's right - the skincare solution you’ve been craving might not be a skincare solution but an LED light therapy mask. How exactly does blue light therapy work? Let’s unpick it.
What Causes Adult Acne?
Acne develops when pores become blocked with excess sebum (oil produced naturally by the skin to keep it hydrated). Once clogged, the blemish-causing bacteria Cutibacterium acnes breeds, leading to inflammation and, you guessed it, blemishes.
Affecting sebum production, hormonal fluctuations are the main cause of adult acne, whether due to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. An increase in androgens, hormones like testosterone, can also boost oil production and trigger breakouts, explaining why so many people experience acne throughout adulthood, even if avoided during adolescence.
Lifestyle factors can also trigger flare-ups, with the stress hormone cortisol causing inflammation, leading to breakouts. Meanwhile, while we may think that investing in expensive skincare is the answer to achieving clear and glowing skin, this isn’t always the case – sometimes the products we apply in good faith can be to blame. Diet is also thought to play a role, with some studies linking high-glycemic-index foods (those causing a blood-sugar spike) to acne.
Why is adult acne different from teenage acne?
While teenage acne is primarily caused by hormonal changes during puberty, adult acne is more likely to be linked to stress. The location of blemishes is also expected to differ – think your classic t-zone for teens, while adults tend to see more spots on the lower half of the face, across the jawline and chin.
Types of adult acne and how to identify them
There are different types of adult acne, ranging in severity relating to the depth of tissue affected and the level of inflammation caused. While mild acne typically presents with blackheads and whiteheads, those with moderate acne will experience more papules (inflamed bumps) and pustules (pus-filled bumps).
Those with severe acne will also encounter cysts beneath the skin's surface. These can be extremely painful due to their proximity to nerve endings and are more prone to scarring due to the amount of inflammation associated with them and the resulting damage caused to the surrounding tissues.
How does blue light target acne-causing bacteria and treat blemishes?
Blue light therapy eliminates bacteria by causing photosynthesising molecules within the bacteria to react with oxygen. This causes the bacteria cell to die, helping to heal active spots and preventing new ones from forming.
If this wasn’t enough, blue light also helps control oil production by shrinking the sebaceous glands responsible for producing oil while promoting skin regeneration and reducing inflammation. By reducing oil production (and therefore the chances of pores becoming clogged), killing blemish-causing bacteria, and reducing inflammation, blue light therapy is an effective non-invasive measure for treating and preventing adult acne while avoiding medication and any side effects of treatment.
The CurrentBody Skin Anti-Blemish Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2 not only uses the exact blue light wavelength associated with the best results (415nm) but red light (633nm), proven to reduce inflammation and calm redness while promoting healing and fading scarring.
Working blue light therapy into your everyday routine
The CurrentBody Skin Anti-Blemish Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2 uses 10-minute light therapy sessions to banish blemishes quickly and effectively, so you can simply sit back and relax for a moment of skin-boosting self-care from the comfort of your home. Use the device 3-5 times a week for 6 weeks to see the best results. After 6 weeks of use, it is best to give your skin a short rest period of 1-2 weeks before resuming your treatment.
However, it's important to note that if you only have one or two blemishes, it’s best to avoid using blue light therapy excessively, as overuse can potentially lead to skin sensitivity, dryness or pigmentation issues. Spot treatments with other targeted skincare may be a better option in these cases such as the Currentody Anti-Blemish LED Pen.
Dealing with post-acne scarring
Unfortunately, adult acne tends to scar more than teenage spots. This is because adult acne is more likely to be cystic and cause damage to deeper layers of skin, unlike teenage acne, which tends to be more superficial (think blackheads and whiteheads).
Thankfully, the red light wavelength emitted by the CurrentBody Skin Anti-Blemish Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2 helps to prevent and heal scarring by boosting collagen production (crucial for skin plumpness and volume), promoting cell repair and improving blood circulation, all helping to heal and fade scarring.
So, soothe your spots and banish blemishes with your new complexion-clearing must-have, and never forget the cardinal rule – whatever you do, don’t pick.
