Red Light Therapy for Acne Scars: Compare to Other Options
If you’re one of the millions of people with acne scars on your face, you know how distressing it can be.
Red light for acne scars is scientifically supported and is now available as at-home therapy.
Red light therapy uses low-level red and infrared light to stimulate cellular processes that reduce the thickness and pigment of acne scars.
Also known as “photobiomodulation,” this use of red light for acne scars has been clinically proven to reduce the depth and severity of acne scars on your skin.
This article will explain the science behind using red light therapy for this purpose.
Takeaways
- Facial acne scars cause mental and physical distress.
- Acne scar remedies include
- red light therapy
- topical gels and creams
- injectable fillers
- laser resurfacing
- Red light therapy and topical gels are at-home therapies
- Injectable fillers and laser resurfacing are clinical therapies
- Red light therapy promotes cell turnover, collagen production, and inflammation reduction
Red Light Therapy for Acne Scars
Acne scars on the face are a common skin condition, but they can have a profound emotional impact on those who suffer from them.
Persistent acne can cause acne scars.
The scars themselves can take on many forms.
They can appear as deep pits, raised marks, or discolored areas of the skin.
The treatment of acne scars can be challenging, and the emotional distress caused by these scars can be significant.
The appearance of acne scars can cause individuals to feel self-conscious and experience feelings of low self-esteem.
One might feel embarrassed about his or her appearance.
The embarrassment can cause social anxiety.
A person with acne scars might avoid social situations and relationships.
The emotional distress caused by acne scars can affect people of all ages and can have a long-lasting effect on mental health and well-being.
In addition to the emotional impact, acne scars can cause physical discomfort.
Raised scars can be itchy or painful.
Deep pits make it difficult to apply makeup or shave.
The appearance of acne scars can also lead to skin irritation and inflammation, exacerbating existing acne or other skin conditions.
Acne Scar Treatment Options
Acne scars can be frustrating and difficult to treat, but there are a variety of options available to reduce their appearance.
Options include:
- Red light therapy
- Topical creams and gels
- Injectable fillers
- Laser resurfacing
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy effectively improves the appearance of acne scars on the face.
Red light therapy is non-invasive and has no side effects.
Home therapy devices work well; you do not need doctor visits or a prescription.
The most important effect of red light therapy for facial scars is the triggering of collagen.
Red light therapy promotes collagen and reduces inflammation. It does not cover up or fill in scars.
It changes the skin to reduce its surface area.
Red light therapy promotes cell turnover.
Old skin cells die off, and new skin cells rejuvenate the face.
Because red light therapy improves facial appearance and alleviates the emotional and physical distress it can cause.
Facial scar treatment with red light therapy can significantly reduce acne scar depth, texture, and surface area.
As a bonus, red light therapy reduces fine lines and wrinkles while it reduces acne scars.
The effects are long-lasting (permanent) because they promote the body’s healing abilities.
Plus, red light therapy improves skin quality and tone.
The reduction in inflammation reduces redness and swelling.
Collagen production accompanies elastin production, producing fresh, tight skin.
Red light therapy (called “photobiomodulation” in science) is a noninvasive, low-energy delivery of light that encourages skin cells to repair themselves.
Red light therapy (RLT) also speeds up wound healing.
Some of the same biological processes that help with wounds allow the treatment to reduce scars.
RLT uses LED or laser (most home devices are LED) lights that emit light in the red and infrared ranges.
Certain wavelengths of light in these ranges penetrate the skin at a cellular level.
One of the effects is to open blood vessels, allowing nutrition and oxygen to come to the skin.
Another action of RLT is stimulating stem cells, which become new skin cells on the face.
RLT triggers collagen production. This rejuvenates the face and naturally fills in acne scars.
You can use a panel or a handheld for RLT facial scar reduction.
See Best Red Light Therapy for the Face (5 New Choices).
Panels come in tabletop, half-body, and full-body sizes.
They sit on a table or the floor (or hang from the ceiling or a door).
Handheld devices require you to hold them to your face in various spots.
In exchange for your extra work, the handheld wands are usually cheaper than even the smallest panels.
Thankfully, red light therapy can effectively treat acne scars without side effects.
Unlike other types of light, such as UVA and UVB rays, red light does not damage skin tissue or cause burning or blistering.
Topical Creams and Gels
One treatment option for acne scars is topical creams and gels. These treatments work by exfoliating the skin and encouraging cell turnover. Cell turnover stimulates collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of scars.
Topical creams and gels may contain ingredients like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, and vitamin C.
It is important to note that these treatments may take several weeks or even months to show results.
Injectable Fillers
Another option for reducing acne scars is through injectable fillers.
These treatments involve injecting a substance into the skin.
The treatment fills in depressed scars and makes the skin appear smoother.
Common fillers used for acne scars include hyaluronic acid and collagen.
While this treatment is non-invasive and can be done quickly, the effects are temporary and must be repeated over time.
Laser Resurfacing
A more invasive option for treating acne scars is laser therapy.
Do not confuse laser therapy with red light therapy.
Even “red light therapy” done with lasers is not “laser therapy.”
The confusion comes from the low-energy delivery of light in red light therapy and the high-energy delivery of light in laser therapy.
Red light therapy is non-invasive and does not resurface the skin.
Laser treatments remove the top layer of skin and promote collagen production.
This can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and give the skin a smoother texture.
However, laser therapy may not be suitable for all skin types and may require several sessions to achieve desired results.
The most important effect of red light therapy for facial scars is the triggering of collagen.
Red light therapy promotes collagen and reduces inflammation. It does not cover up or fill in scars.
It changes the skin to reduce its surface area.
Red light therapy promotes cell turnover.
Old skin cells die off, and new skin cells rejuvenate the face.
Because red light therapy improves facial appearance and alleviates the emotional and physical distress it can cause.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is a non-invasive method to reduce acne scars.
It is safe, has no side effects, and is available without a prescription.
Laser resurfacing damages the skin to prompt new skin creation.
Topical treatments help by creating smoother skin and more collagen.
The best red light therapy for skin: Best Red Light Therapy for the Face 2024 (5 New Choices)
