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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2006, at 13:35:21
Has anyone using light boxes noticed any improvement in their acne?
As well as improved mood/sleep related disorders, it would appear to help acne too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_therapy
I'd do anything (within reason!) to get rid of my pimples. At 26, I'm utterly utterly sick of them.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by dessbee on December 7, 2006, at 13:55:10
In reply to Light therapy for acne?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2006, at 13:35:21
If you are referring to light boxes for seasonal affective disorder I seriously doubt it will help your acne, since there is no UV-light in light boxes.
Posted by Quintal on December 7, 2006, at 14:27:29
In reply to Light therapy for acne?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2006, at 13:35:21
Interesting Meri. My own acne has flared up again over the last few days, just as I was smugly thinking I'd put the spotty phase behind me so I'm looking for a new treatment too.
Have you considered Roaccutane therapy or a contraceptive containing cyproterone? Is suppose they may contribute to your poisoning fears though? I have thought about trying Roaccutane myself but I read it often causes depression and sometimes liver damage and that put it on the bottom of the list for me.
Q
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2006, at 14:51:09
In reply to Re: no UV-light in light boxes » Meri-Tuuli, posted by dessbee on December 7, 2006, at 13:55:10
Hey!
> If you are referring to light boxes for seasonal affective disorder I seriously doubt it will help your acne, since there is no UV-light in light boxes.
I thought that too, and I must confess that I'm not very knowledgeable about the whole thing, but the wikipedia article seems to suggest that normal (non-UV) light boxes work:
*************************
Acne vulgarisBlue/Red light treatment
Visible blue light in the range 405-420nm has been shown to activate a porphyrin (Coproporphyrin III) in Propionibacterium acnes which damages and ultimately kills the bacteria by releasing singlet oxygen. Application of the light for 3 consecutive days has been shown to reduce the bacteria in the pores by 99.9%. Since there are few porphorins naturally found in the skin, the treatment is believed safe except in patients with porphyria;[1] although eye protection is necessary due to light sensitive chemicals in the retina. The light is usually created by fluorescent lamps, bright LEDs or dichroic filament bulbs.
Treatment is often accompanied with application of red light which has been shown to activate ATP in human skin cells, and seems to improve response rates. (Essentially a Photobiomodulation effect.)
Overall improvements of on average 76% for 80% of patients occurs over 3 months; most studies show that it performs better than Benzoyl peroxide but treatment is far better tolerated. However, approximately 10% of users see no improvement.[2]
Home use light boxes usually work well, are effective for people with long-term acne, are likely to be cheaper than dermatologist office light treatments, and can be repeated over several years for negligible cost. As of 2006 even though they are not cheap, the cost is on a par with the total cost of benzoyl peroxide, moisturiser and facial washes over the total life of the light box, and the light boxes may yet get cheaper due to economies of scale.
Posted by dessbee on December 7, 2006, at 15:03:39
In reply to Re: no UV-light in light boxes » Meri-Tuuli, posted by dessbee on December 7, 2006, at 13:55:10
You have convinced me. I think this really proofs how important the sun is for all living creatures. We are SO dependent on it.
Found this nice box for only £349.00 ;-)
http://www.allergymatters.com/acatalog/Light_Therapy_for_Acne.html
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2006, at 15:06:47
In reply to Re: Light therapy for acne? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Quintal on December 7, 2006, at 14:27:29
Hey Q!
> Have you considered Roaccutane therapy or a contraceptive containing cyproterone?
Well I've tried dianette, and it was quite successful at elminating the pimples, but well, I don't like the increased risk of breast cancer on it, and DVT, and things like that. I only have one ovary and well, taking the pill is actually supposed to be good for that (it completely depresses the action of the ovaries) I object to it for reasons not really know to me. It somehow feels unnatural, and I dunno. Plus Dianette is contraindicated in depression and it occassionally gave me bad heachaches, which I take as a sign that it wasn't that great.
As for the Roaccutane, well for the same reasons as you I haven't even considered it. My pimples are pretty mild to be honest, so I doubt a GP would even give me oral antibiotics let alone a referral to a dermatologist for roaccutane, but its just really draining on one's self esteem to always have two or three pimples on the go, plus they leave red dots that take a couple of months to fade completely.
Benzoyl peroxide is quite effective, but for some reason it always says to discontinue after 3 months. I'm not sure why!
I've tried using tea tree oil, but it absolutely stinks for ages on your face and it really winds up my posioning fears. The smell isn't bad, but its just very strong and I worry that you're not supposed to be sniffing it all the time like that!
So light therapy would be ideal for me. But I have to work out what it is about light therapy that makes it work....if it does at all.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2006, at 15:15:17
In reply to Re: no UV-light in light boxes, posted by dessbee on December 7, 2006, at 15:03:39
Hey,
If only I had a spare 350 quid! Oh well. But yes, its really important, sunlight. And whats interesting, is that acne seems to be a largely Western phenomenon- apparently people in developing countries just don't get it as much as we Westerners do.
I really think its to do with the amount of time we spend outdoors, I mean, when I'm doing fieldwork (I'm a geology student) for two weeks solid in the Scottish Highlands in March, I am very glad to have that extra oil on my face! My acne then clears up completely. All that natural light and wind and rain lashing against my cheeks, its very good!
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by dessbee on December 7, 2006, at 15:55:28
In reply to Re: no UV-light in light boxes » dessbee, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2006, at 15:15:17
My experience is that sunlight is good for acne. I always thought it was the UV-light but now it seems like several light frequencies are beneficial. I guess sun-blockers will not block sun's effect on acne.
Generally I am a strong beleiver in moderate low-carb diet and fatty fish. High carbs promote bacteria growth and increases inflammatory proteins like CRP.
For some reason fish oil worsens my acne but fatty fish corresponding in five time higher doses will not, it actually improves my acne.
Sleep is really important. I have noticed that acne worsens on days where I haved suffered insomnia. Sleep is a really important tool for stress recovery. Poor sleep will hinder sufficient recovery from stress.
This is the end of the thread.
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