Blue Light Therapy for Acne: The Science Behind Breakouts and How to Treat Them
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Authors: Therabody Scientists: Tim Roberts, MSc; Rachelle Reed, PhD, MS, ACSM-EP; Kyle Silvey, PhD, CSCS; Michelle Darian, MS, MPH, RD, LDN
Expert contributor: Trina Miller-Jefferson, Licensed Esthetician and Therabody Beauty Education Advisor
Acne is the most common skin condition, affecting people of all ages. It can be frustratingly hard to treat and often involves a lot of trial and error with various products and routines.
With so many treatment options available, it can be difficult to know which approaches are worth considering for you. One option that's gained attention in recent years is blue light therapy for acne treatment.
Here's what to know about acne, what causes it, and what the research says about using blue light therapy to help manage acne breakouts.
What is Acne?
Acne is the most common skin disease, impacting about 10% of the global population. It can be chronic (meaning it can come and go for years). [1]
Acne develops when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria. This can lead to a range of symptoms and types of acne, including: [1]
- Whiteheads: Closed clogged pores that appear white or flesh-colored
- Blackheads: Open clogged pores that darken when exposed to air
- Papules: Small red, inflamed bumps
- Pustules: Inflamed lesions that contain pus
- Nodules: Larger, deeper bumps beneath the skin
- Cystic acne: Deep, painful inflammatory lesions that can increase the likelihood of scarring
Acne most commonly impacts the face, but can also pop up throughout the body, including on the neck, trunk, back, chest, shoulders, and upper arms. [2]
How acne affects overall well-being
The impacts of acne often extend beyond a day-long blemish on the face. The effects of acne can range from psychological (changes to social life and esteem) to physical (like long-term scarring).
Research shows that acne affects:
- Mental well-being: A 2021 literature review looked specifically at the causes of acne in medical students (who tend to work in stressful conditions). The study found that medical students with acne reported psychological impacts, including negative self-image, lower confidence, embarrassment, depression, and anxiety. [3]
- Social life changes: Acne can also lead to changes in social life, with studies showing that acne leads to social withdrawal and impaired social behaviors. [3]
- Quality of life: Acne can even negatively affect quality of life, defined as your ability to live with vigor and purpose, free from pain. [4]
- Scars: Acne can leave scars, especially if not treated properly. The scars can be thick and remain long after the original breakout has healed. [4, 5]
- Skin pigmentation changes: After acne has cleared, skin can appear darker (hyperpigmented) or lighter (hypopigmented) than before the acne occurred. [5]
- Inflammation: Lesions from acne can remain inflamed even after the acne has subsided. [4]
Causes of Acne
Research has identified several factors associated with the development and severity of acne breakouts. The impacts of each of these factors can vary from person to person. What might trigger acne for someone may not necessarily be the culprit for another.
Many studies on the causes of acne are observational, which establishes correlations rather than cause-and-effect relationships. Understanding potential contributors can help identify acne's root causes and potential ways to address them.
- Family history of acne: A systematic review showed that having a parent with acne increases your likelihood of developing it. [5, 6]
- Eating certain foods: Eating certain foods can play a key role in acne development, duration, and severity. A review of 53 papers found that acne-promoting foods include fast food and those high in refined sugars, dairy, and chocolate. Certain foods were also protective against acne, including fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables. [7]
- Stress levels: Chronic stress can exacerbate acne, according to a study on medical students who work in stressful conditions. [3]
- Age: Acne tends to be more common in younger individuals, and its prevalence generally decreases with age. While it tends to start during adolescence — when hormones shift significantly — people of all ages can get acne. [1, 5, 8]
- Skipping face washes: Some bacteria naturally live on your skin. If you have too much bacteria — like if you don’t regularly cleanse your face — your pores can start to clog. Clogged pores cause substances to plug up your follicles, creating a pimple. This triggers the inflammatory response, resulting in redness, soreness, and swelling around the pimple. [9]
- High body mass index (BMI): A systematic review looked at risk factors for acne presence and severity. Individuals with a high BMI (>30) were more likely to have acne compared to those with a BMI of 18-25. [6]
Blue light therapy for acne
Traditional topical and oral medications have long been the go-to solutions to protect against and treat acne. However, as researchers continue to unravel the complex factors contributing to acne, including the roles of bacteria and inflammation, alternative treatment approaches have emerged. One promising therapy for acne is the use of blue light.
Blue light therapy uses a specific part of the visible light spectrum (around 415 nanometers) to target concerns at the skin’s surface. Unlike longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper into the skin (like red light and near-infrared light), blue light works closer to the skin’s surface and targets acne-causing bacteria. [10
Blue light therapy can be delivered in both dermatology offices and at home through LED devices. While in-office treatments have been used for years, technologies have progressed significantly in recent years and devices can now deliver clinically meaningful treatments at home (like the TheraFace® Mask GLO), making it simpler to integrate into a regular skincare routine.
The research-backed benefits of blue light therapy for acne
While blue light therapy isn’t a cure for acne, research suggests it may be a useful tool for managing certain types of breakouts. Esthetician Trina Miller-Jefferson notes, “The best candidate for blue light therapy is someone with mild-to-moderate acne, especially breakouts tied to excess oil, congestion, and acne-causing bacteria.”
Why? Blue light’s specific wavelength is absorbed by porphyrins, the compounds produced by the bacteria responsible for creating acne. When porphyrins absorb blue light, they release singlet oxygen molecules that kill the bacteria, effectively reducing acne. [11, 12]
- In an eight-week study of 21 people with mild-to-moderate acne, self-applied blue light therapy significantly reduced total blemishes (including blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed papules) with visible improvements in just one week. [13]
- In a clinical study of 28 adults with facial acne, participants who completed eight blue light treatment sessions over four weeks experienced an average 64.7% improvement in acne lesions. [14]
- In an eight-week study of adults with mild-to-moderate acne using a blue light device alongside a targeted skincare routine, researchers observed improvements in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, with more than 90% of participants reporting improvements in overall skin appearance by the end of the study. [15]
Add blue light therapy into your routine with TheraFace Mask Glo
If you’re interested in trying blue light therapy, consistency and proper use matter. Light-based treatments are generally designed to fit into a broader skincare approach. They are not intended to replace foundational habits like cleansing, moisturizing, and individualized acne care.
“The biggest mistakes I see are inconsistent use and expecting blue light to do the job on its own. Where it really shines is as a powerhouse addition to your routine — working on both treatment and prevention,” says Miller-Jefferson.
The TheraFace Mask GLO combines multiple LED light modes into one guided treatment. The device walks you through a preset 12-minute session designed to deliver sequential light exposure across different wavelengths (in this order).
- Red light: Supports the skin’s appearance and collagen production
- Red and infrared light: Delivers gentle warmth and deeper light exposure
- Blue light: Targets bacteria on the skin’s surface
In a 12-week clinical study (In the largest clinical study of any LED mask currently on the market, 104 adults using the TheraFace Mask GLO noticed improvements in skin clarity and blemishes alongside improvements in skin texture, tone, and overall appearance.
Miller-Jefferson notes that some people may see improvements within a few weeks. “The first things clients tend to notice with blue light therapy are calmer-looking skin, fewer new breakouts, and a visible reduction in active blemishes — without the aggressive, stripping effect that can make acne worse.”
Who should avoid using blue light therapy?
“Blue light therapy is less ideal for highly reactive or photosensitive skin, anyone using medications or topicals that increase photosensitivity — such as prescription retinoids, exfoliating acids, or oral acne antibiotics like doxycycline — or more severe, inflamed, or cystic acne,” says Miller-Jefferson.
How to use blue light therapy for best results
For best results, use blue light therapy on clean, dry skin before applying serums, moisturizers, sunscreen, or other skincare products. Cleansing beforehand helps reduce barriers between LED light and the skin.
Key Takeaways
- Acne is the most common skin condition worldwide and can affect physical appearance, emotional well-being, social life, and long-term skin health.
- Acne develops through a combination of factors (including oil production, bacteria, inflammation, genetics, age, stress, and lifestyle habits), and triggers can vary from person to person.
- Blue light therapy uses targeted wavelengths of visible light to help reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface and support clearer-looking skin.
- Research suggests blue light therapy may help improve mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne and may reduce visible blemishes when used consistently over time.
- At-home LED devices like the TheraFace Mask GLO combine blue, red, and red and near-infrared light to support skin appearance and overall skin health through consistent use.
References:
- Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris
- Practical management of acne for clinicians: An international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne
- The prevalence, risk factors, and psychosocial impacts of acne vulgaris in medical students: a literature review
- Effect of Blue Light on Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review
- Mayo Clinic: Acne
- Systematic review of the epidemiology of acne vulgaris
- Diet and acne: review of the evidence from 2009 to 2020
- Acne Types, Causes, and Risk Factors
- Acne: Types, Causes, and Treatments
- Clinical Efficacy of Self-applied Blue Light Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Facial Acne
- Photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris: a critical review from basics to clinical practice: part I. Acne vulgaris: when and why consider photodynamic therapy?
- Blue-Light Therapy for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Clinical Efficacy of Self-applied Blue Light Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Facial Acne
- 420 nm intense continuous light therapy for acne
- Evaluation of self-treatment of mild-to-moderate facial acne with a blue light treatment system
