Photo of a woman laying on her back about to place a Celluma blue light therapy device on her face for a skin and acne treatment

Acne

Low-level light therapy kills acne causing bacteria at the source.

Manage Acne Breakouts with LED Light Therapy

Acne is an extremely common skin condition, and it affects approximately 50 million Americans every year. In fact, 3 out of 4 people aged 11-30 years, have experienced acne at least once in their lives. Acne develops when an abundance of dead skin cells and a naturally-produced oil called sebum plug tiny hair follicles, or pores. As sebum production continues to build under the plug in the skin’s surface, it becomes infected with C. acne bacteria, causing swelling, redness, and inflammation.

If you suffer from acne, it’s likely you’ve heard of light therapy, or blue light therapy as a possible solution to your acne pimple woes. LED blue light therapy is a proven acne treatment for people who have tried other acne treatments, but still aren’t seeing the results they want. Light therapy used to only be available at a dermatologist’s or esthetician’s office, but with the advent of affordable, effective, at-home light therapy device design, blue light for acne is becoming a household treatment that’s non-toxic, non-invasive, and really, really effective.

How it Works

Fight Acne with LED Light Therapy

LED light therapy is an effective blue light acne treatment that works by killing acne-causing bacteria at the source, beneath the skin’s surface. Blue light therapy uses specific wavelengths to treat mild to moderate acne by targeting the pores & reducing breakouts. The FDA cleared device combines blue light and red light therapy, offering a dual approach to improve skin clarity. While blue light therapy targets and eliminates acne-causing bacteria, red light therapy decreases inflammation, enhancing skin tone & texture. This non-invasive acne treatment is highly effective for those looking to treat acne naturally.

Benefits of Low-Level Light Therapy For Acne

Kills bacteria at the source

Reduces inflammation

Reduces lesions and redness

Improvement in overall skin appearance

Young woman laying on a massage table about to lower a Celluma PRO LED red light therapy device onto her face for a skin treatment Young woman laying on a massage table about to lower a Celluma PRO LED red light therapy device onto her face for a skin treatment

What the Science Says About LED and Acne

Blue and red LED light therapy is widely used as a successful option for the treatment of mild to moderate acne. This combination of blue light therapy and red light therapy has been proven effective in managing acne conditions. One study concluded that “…blue light and red light may act synergistically in improving acne by combining antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action, rendering phototherapy with blue and/or red light therapy an effective and safe acne treatment." This makes blue light acne treatment a promising alternative to traditional methods.

In another recent paper that reviewed the effects of blue light therapy for acne, the Discussion answers the question: “What is the clinical evidence for the action of blue light in improving acne conditions when compared to conventional treatments?” The systematic review used PICO research and found several scientific articles that proved the efficacy of blue light therapy devices and LED systems for acne improvement, with minimal adverse effects compared to conventional treatments like benzoyl peroxide (BPO).

Blue light acne treatment works by targeting the bacteria that cause acne. It penetrates the skin and helps treat acne by reducing bacteria in the pores and decreasing inflammation. The FDA has cleared certain LED devices for the treatment of acne, confirming their safety and efficacy. These blue light devices emit specific wavelengths that target and kill acne-causing bacteria, offering a non-invasive alternative for those struggling with mild to moderate acne.

Learn more about how blue light therapy and red light therapy can help treat acne by exploring the studies mentioned below. Visit our research page to discover even more studies on phototherapy, photodynamic therapy, and light therapy for acne. Dermatologists often recommend blue light therapy as part of a comprehensive acne regimen for its proven benefits.

Acne Wavelengths

Celluma devices emit multiple proven wavelengths of light energy simultaneously for compounded therapeutic benefits. The acne program is blue light dominant, and also emits red and near-infrared.

Celluma devices emit a combination of blue (465nm), red (640nm), and near infrared (880nm) wavelengths.

Each treatment mode is a unique, proprietary algorithm that is programmed to produce the correct combinations of wavelengths, dose (fluence), pulse, and wave modulation to deliver the results supported by clinical studies.

Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne. The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm' Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne. The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm' Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne. The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm' Illustration of how Celluma uses blue light therapy, red light therapy, and near-infrared light therapy to treat acne. The labels on the illustration say 'Epidermis', 'Dermis', 'Sub-cutaneous', 'Fat Cells', along with 'Blue 465nm', 'Red 640nm', and 'Near-Infrared 880nm'

The Acne Collection

Check out all of our products designed to fight acne and kill bacteria at the source, all while reducing inflammation and redness. A reduction in lesions and overall improvement in skin appearance is often seen in only a matter of weeks.

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Woman laying on her back looking upward at a Celluma PRO LED red light therapy device and preparing to lower it onto her face for a skin treatment
Photo of a Celluma LED red light therapy device sitting on a table with a blurred image of a swimming pool in the background
Young person holding a Celluma POD LED red light therapy device against their face for a skin treatment while sitting outdoors
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BEFORE & AFTERS

Extraordinary Results

Before Celluma (left side) and After Celluma (right side) showing a woman with enhanced complexion, reduced acne, and overall improvement of skin appearance with blue light and red light therapy. Protocol was 3x per week for 4 weeks. Before Celluma (left side) and After Celluma (right side) showing a woman with enhanced complexion, reduced acne, and overall improvement of skin appearance with blue light and red light therapy. Protocol was 3x per week for 4 weeks.

Treatment: 3x per week for 4 weeks. No other modalities used.

Before Celluma (left side) and After (right side) showing acne patient showing significantly reduced acne lesions and redness with red and blue LED light therapy. After photo was taken following 8 weeks of treatment 2 times per week. Before Celluma (left side) and After (right side) showing acne patient showing significantly reduced acne lesions and redness with red and blue LED light therapy. After photo was taken following 8 weeks of treatment 2 times per week.

Treatment: 2x per week for 8 weeks. No other modalities used

Before Celluma (top) and after Celluma (bottom) showing a woman's chin with significantly reduced acne blemishes with less redness and inflammation. Results after 8 weeks, using 2 times per week. Before Celluma (top) and after Celluma (bottom) showing a woman's chin with significantly reduced acne blemishes with less redness and inflammation. Results after 8 weeks, using 2 times per week.

Treatment: 2x per week for 8 weeks. No other modalities used.

Before Celluma (top) and After Celluma (bottom) showing a woman's face with reduced acne lesions and improvement in the overall texture and appearance of the skin. After photo was taken following 4 total treatments over 2 weeks. Before Celluma (top) and After Celluma (bottom) showing a woman's face with reduced acne lesions and improvement in the overall texture and appearance of the skin. After photo was taken following 4 total treatments over 2 weeks.

Treatment: 2x/week for 2 weeks (4 treatments total). No other modality or product used.

*Clinical proven results based on an independent study

*Clinical proven results based on an independent study

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The Protocol

The standard acne protocol is to use Celluma on the Acne setting 3x per week for 4 weeks for best results. Using Celluma LED light therapy devices is very relaxing. Settle into a comfortable position and wrap the treatment area with your Celluma. A single treatment lasts approximately 30 minutes. Most people experience immediate results. Results vary depending on the severity of the condition and adherence to protocols. Statistics from research referenced below.

  • 54 %

    saw improvement in acne lesions with blue light acne treatment. PubMed 2010

  • 76 %

    saw improvement in in acne lesions with red + blue light acne treatment

  • 80 %

    saw improvement in skin texture after light therapy treatment

Backed by Clinical Research

When a particularly extreme acne breakout happens, it can feel like nothing works fast enough to get us back in the clear. LED Light Therapy for acne is a tremendous treatment option for faster results. See what the research says about light therapy for acne.

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Improve Overall Skin Appearance with Acne Mode

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WE'RE HERE TO HELP

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Low-level-light therapy or photobiomodulation is based on Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology and is the application of light energy to the body for therapeutic benefits. It promotes a natural photobiochemical reaction similar to the process of plant photosynthesis. The energy delivered by the LEDs has been shown to enhance cellular metabolism, accelerate the repair and replenishment of damaged skin cells, as well as stimulate the production of collagen — the foundation of healthy, smooth skin. Research has shown that LED light therapy may help smooth skin texture, improve skin firmness and resilience, increase lymphatic system activity, restore skin’s natural cellular activity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and superficial hyperpigmentation. The treatment is for all skin types, and is non-ablative, non-invasive, painless, and requires absolutely no downtime. Patients or clients can return to their normal activity immediately after the treatment.

  • Blue light energy typically penetrates the skin at a shallow depth compared to other types of light energy such as infrared or red light. Blue light, in the range of 400 to 495 nanometers, generally penetrates the skin to the depth of the epidermis, the outer most layer of the skin. Its ability to reach deeper layers is limited, which is why it is often used for targeting skin concerns closer to the surface, such as acne. Blue light therapy is known for its effectiveness in treating acne by targeting the bacteria that contribute to breakouts within the skin’s superficial layers. Based on clinical research, Celluma devices use blue light at 465 nanometers.

    Over time, as bacteria are reduced and pores clear, many users notice smoother, clearer skin. Blue light therapy can result in a more even skin tone after repeated treatments.

  • LED devices are considered extremely low risk when used as intended.

  • Position Celluma as close to your skin as possible, the closer the better. One key advantage to Celluma is its patented flexible design, which allows for close positioning to the skin, and may lead to more effective results.

    Typically, users see noticeable results after about four to six treatments. However, the exact number can vary depending on the individual’s skin condition and the severity of the acne. For mild to moderate acne, blue light therapy often requires consistent sessions over several weeks for optimal results.

    For maximum benefits, use Celluma for 30 minutes on the ACNE mode which emits blue light to kill acne bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and promote tissue repair. 

    You can use blue light therapy daily, but it depends on the device and your skin’s tolerance. For some, daily use may be too frequent, causing irritation. It’s essential to follow the recommended guidelines for your specific device or consult with a dermatologist to determine the ideal frequency for treating acne without overloading the skin.

  • Absolutely! The closer to the skin the better. The only time you won’t want Celluma to touch the skin is when you are treating open wounds and concerned about cross-contamination. In these cases, we recommend using the Celluma disposable hygiene barriers.

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Learn About The Celluma Difference

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Not all LED light therapy devices are created equal. Celluma is the innovation leader in FDA-cleared, professional-grade, medical-grade LED light therapy solutions. We are trusted every day by tens of thousands of loyal customers, doctors and clinicians in 100+ countries. Read more about why there's only one Celluma.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Adult acne haunted me for three years; I tried every product on the market. I have had clear skin for a year now. Celluma gave me my life back!"

-- Carley, New York, New York

“I LOVE my Celluma! One of my favorite necessities in my treatment room. I have clients with acne and Celluma helped smooth out the texture.”

-- Elyse Helene Nashville, TN

“My clients love the Celluma and so do I! The results I have seen in my acne clients is amazing!"

-- Teresa, Huntington NY

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