Do Those At-Home Light Treatments Really Work on Acne?

So why does blue light therapy work for acne? According to dermatologist Papri Sarkar, MD, blue light has been found to alleviate mild to moderate acne if applied daily. "Propionibacterium acnes, a bacteria that is commonly found in the skin, has been associated with acne breakouts. If blue light is applied to the face daily for a few days, it has been found to kill this type of acne," she says. Basically, it's another way to deep clean my face and ward away any grime or muck using light, instead of facial cleanser and water.

Instead of making the trek to the derm's office to invest in expensive lasers, at-home versions like the ones I've been testing can be better on your wallet and still work to alleviate your symptoms and annoyances. While I have been fascinated by the initial results, it is important to note that blue light doesn't work for everyone. As dermatologist and professor Janet H. Prystowsky, MD, PhD explains, it isn't comprehensive enough to treat severe, scarring acne. Her best advice is to always check with a trusted derm before trying anything new, just to make sure you're not wasting your time—or money.

If you've been given the gold seal of approval to take Cameron's advice—and now, mine too—here are some at-home light therapy devices to consider.

Image via @lightstim