How long do you leave blue light on acne?
Matthew Shields
Updated on March 07, 2026
How long do you leave blue light on acne?
Blue and red light therapy sessions last 15 to 30 minutes each. During the session, you’ll lay down or put your head in a special device meant to keep your face still.
How long should you do blue light therapy?
Treatment sessions can be anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes long, depending on the area being treated, how large it is, and if a topical medication has been applied. If it’s just one small area being treated, like a single spot of skin cancer, the affected area will have blue light applied to it for about 17 minutes.
How many sessions of blue light therapy does it take to see results?
Anywhere between two and five sessions are necessary, at 2-4 week intervals, for optimal results. Some people may notice results after a single session.
How long does it take to see results from acne treatment?
Give an acne treatment at least 4 weeks to work. Acne treatment needs time to work. Using a different product every few days can also irritate your skin, causing new breakouts. If a treatment works for you, you should notice some improvement in 4 to 6 weeks. It can take two to three months or longer to see clearing.
What should I put on my face after blue light treatment?
If the treated area is on your face, wear a wide-brimmed hat. After 48 hours (2 days), continue to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on the treated area. If a scab forms on the treated area, don’t remove or pick at it. Apply a moisturizer such as Aquaphor®, Vaseline®, or Cetaphil®.
Can blue light harm your skin?
Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. These speed up the aging process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation.
Does blue light really help acne?
Blue LED light is most often used to treat acne. It may do this by reducing activity in the sebaceous glands, so they produce less of the oil that can plug the hair follicles, leading to acne. Blue light may also kill acne-causing bacteria known as Cutibacterium acnes.
How do you know if acne treatment is working?
Over time, you’ll probably notice your breakouts are getting smaller and healing more quickly. This is a sign that your treatments are starting to work. It may even seem like your skin breaks out worse before it starts to get better. Again, these are blemishes that were already forming within the pore.
How long does it take niacinamide to work?
While some niacinamide-containing products start to show initial benefits in two weeks, most results will show in four weeks or more. “You have to remember that it doesn’t take two days for spots to form so you can’t expect them to be removed in two days either,” explains Engelman.
Can I shower after blue light treatment?
Shower and wash the area immediately and as often as needed. Gently wash the area with soap and water two to three times a day, and apply Aquaphor or Vaseline to the area. Avoidance of harsh or abrasive cleansers is advised. Picking or scrubbing the skin could cause severe irritation or scarring.
Does blue light really work for acne?
Phototherapy can bring down swelling and reduce the number of pimples in some people. Studies show blue light therapy clears up acne by nearly 70% within 8 to 10 treatment sessions.
Does blue light cause acne?
A recent report by the World Health Organization found that blue light contributes up to 90% of visible signs of aging in the skin. Another study concluded that exposure to blue light stimulates free radical production in the skin. Free radicals are known to create dark spots, break down collagen, and even cause acne.