About 40 million people in the United States ages 12 to 24 have acne problems, and one in four adults experience acne until about age 44. By the age of 24, more than 85% of adolescents and young adults will have had acne at one time or another. While it is not a serious health condition, the physical effects of acne scarring can be permanent, and emotionally, acne can cause low self-esteem and depression. The latest technology uses light to treat acne, which has proven much more effective than traditional treatments.

Most other treatments target the causes of acne — clogged pores, excess oil production, and bacterial buildup. For over 30 years, antibiotics have been used to treat acne-causing bacteria, which has, as a result, built up resistance, rendering the treatment less useful. Topical prescription medications irritate the skin, which makes it appear that the condition is getting worse, causing the individual to discontinue treatment. Some oral medications may not even be an option, as they can harm the fetus in a pregnant woman.

Anti-Acne Light Emitting Diodes (LED) Therapy

What is it? No longer just used as indicator lights in electronic devices, LEDs are now used to treat acne. They are not lasers. There is no pain, no downtime, and no side effects.

Who can benefit from it? Acne light therapy benefits anyone with mild to moderate inflammatory acne-prone skin. Consult your skincare professional for an evaluation.

How does it work? Studies have shown that when acne-causing bacteria are exposed to blue light in a specific wavelength, singlet oxygen is produced, which neutralizes the inflammation-causing bacteria. When combined with red light in a specific wavelength, which has anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces the redness, pain, and swelling associated with acne, as well as reduces pore size and decreases oil production.

What happens during treatment? Before the treatment, you will be instructed to cleanse your face to remove any sunblock or makeup. You will be provided with safety eyewear and the light will be positioned 1 to 2 inches from your face. Each light therapy session will take about 20 minutes. You will experience a feeling of relaxation and well-being during and after the treatment. After your session, you can go right back to your normal routine, without redness, pain, or irritation.

How many treatments will I need? Acne light therapy can be done eight times (twice a week for four weeks) or 12 times (twice a week for six weeks), depending on the severity of the condition. Treatments alternate between blue and red light. Depending on the severity of your blemishes, your skincare professional may also suggest using a face wash or gel containing salicylic acid to help clear pores. Your skincare professional can also adjust the number of treatments if needed.

What results can I expect from the treatment? After eight alternating treatments, optimum results will be visible 4 to 8 weeks following the last treatment. The light stimulates natural processes that go on even after the treatment has stopped. Studies have shown that on average, 81% of blemishes are cleared after 12 weeks.

How long do the effects last? Most clients’ blemishes are completely cleared after about six months. In some cases, follow-up treatments (typically two to four monthly) may be necessary.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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While most medical spas are still using microdermabrasion to exfoliate the skin and leave it glowing, Dr. Gavin has already introduced her patients to vibradermabrasion. The new procedure, she says, is now more preferred by her patients and has proven to be more effective in clearing the skin than microdermabrasion.

Instead of using the crystal and suction method of microdermabrasion, which can damage the skin and cause bruising or capillaries to break, vibradermabrasion uses vibrating paddles coated with fixed abrasives so that no excess particles are flying around. And, the paddles that are used come in varying sizes, ensuring that all the areas of the face can be covered quickly, with the precise attention they deserve. Dr. Gavin insists that this is a wonderful way to exfoliate the skin and increase new collagen production. It is also a less abrasive way for acne patients to exfoliate their skin.

If you have had microdermabrasion treatments in the past, you know that protective eyewear must be worn by both you and your doctor so that the particles that break lose don’t harm your eyes. And, you may even have found leftover crystal particles on your skin in the days following the procedure which can be bothersome and irritating to the skin.

With vibradermabrasions, however, no eye protection is necessary. Because only the vibrations of the paddles are being used to buff away the top layer of the skin, and not crystals, your doctor will be able to address the fine lines and wrinkles that surround the eye. Being able to successfully treat this area with a dermabrasion approach has never been done before. Overall, it keeps your skin looking as healthy and glowing as possible.

The treatment can also be used on other areas of the body plagued by rough skin like the neck, hands, feet and back. A vibradermabrasion session takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, and will cost you about 15% more then microdermabrasion. But, unlike a microdermabrasion treatment, you will see little redness or irritation on your face, allowing you to return to your normal daily activities immediately.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Many people tend to think that acne originates above the skin. But in reality, acne brews deep beneath the surface of the skin. Photodynamic acne therapy works to fight acne by penetrating the skin to combat the problem at its source. The first step in the treatment process is to apply a topical solution called Levulan to the area of the body affected by acne. After several minutes, the solution gets absorbed into the skin and works to make the acne more sensitive to light. But for maximum effect, Levulan is usually left on for 45 to 60 minutes. An IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is then used to activate the solution and cause it to effectively target and destroy acne-causing bacteria that lurk below the skin’s surface. The IPL treatment itself can last up to 20 minutes and is known to cause a small degree of pain; however, once the procedure is over, the discomfort tends to immediately improve. Patients are also usually required to wear goggles during the procedure in order to protect their eyes from the light.

Photodynamic acne treatment is often given in conjunction with acne-cleaning facials and an acne cream. Due to the nature of the therapy, it is only given when the acne is active and at its worst phase. Moderate acne can often be tackled in as little as one to two separate treatments. However, more severe cases of acne tend to require five or six treatments, spread out at one session per month.

The success of photodynamic acne therapy is often visible after two weeks from the initial treatment date. But in some cases, the acne does tend to flare up before getting better. One of the best ways to ensure that the treatment is successful is to follow the instructions for aftercare. In fact, Dr. Agpaoa often has to re-teach his patients how to properly care for their skin. Many acne sufferers tend to repeatedly wash the affected areas on their bodies. But as long as photodynamic acne treatment is being given, persistent cleansing can actually be unhelpful.

If you’ve been suffering from acne for too long and no other treatments or medications seem to be working for you, then consider visiting your local medical spa for a consultation about photodynamic acne therapy. Whether you’re a growing teenager or a busy adult, you deserve to be happy with your skin. Photodynamic acne treatment can get you there.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Teens make up the largest group of acne sufferers with close to 80% of people between ages 12 to 17 reporting at least the occasional whitehead, blackhead or pimple. For many, acne is manageable through over-the-counter treatments but for some acne can be more serious. Almost half of adolescents in their mid-teens have acne severe enough to require some form of treatment by a physician.

Gender may also be a major factor on how acne will affect you. While young men are more likely to have more severe, long-lasting forms of acne, women more typically have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes and acne caused by cosmetics.

By adulthood, hormonally influenced acne is most persistent, beginning in the mid-twenties and lasting through a person’s thirties and forties. Adult acne can be caused by factors such as pregnancy, menopause or stopping the pill, and can result in further skin problems such as rosacea and perioral dermatitis which tend to form around the mouth and lower face.

No matter what your age, important basic guidelines can be followed to help prevent the growth and spreading of acne.

1. Never pop, squeeze or pick at a breakout. Not only can this make acne worse by causing inflammation but it can lead to scarring as well.
2. It is recommended to wash your face gently twice a day with mild soap or antibacterial cleanser and then to pat your face dry, not scrub. Vigorous washing can irritate the skin and make acne worse. Washing alone will not clear acne on its own, however.
3. Check the ingredients of cosmetics to make sure that they are noncomedogenic.
4. Avoid factors that will aggravate the skin such as oils, airborne grease, or irritating clothing.
5. Always read the labels of any acne product you plan to use as some medications can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight and ultraviolet lights found in tanning booths.
6. While it is important to always wear sunscreen, choose the brand carefully to make sure it will not clog your pores or choose one recommended by your dermatologist.

When at-home remedies and precautions do not seem strong enough to treat your acne, it may be time to seek the help of a qualified physician. A number of treatments are aimed at relieving all types of acne and your dermatologist can design a package that is specifically suited to you. Before beginning an aggressive acne treatment however, you should know a few things first:

1. When beginning a new treatment or changing your treatment regimen acne, acne may flare up, or seem to get worse. It is important to stick with your new regimen during this time, which should be no longer than a month.
2. Give the acne products enough time do their job. You can ask your dermatologist the expected time period a particular product needs before you start to see results. For most medications, this is usually between three to six months.
3. The occasional breakout is still completely normal but there are injections and extractions that your dermatologist can perform to heal or remove blemishes.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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The best way to treat acne scars is to prevent them. If someone has bad acne, it’s good to be aggressive with a treatment program. Parents are concerned about the medicines we use and their effect on their children. As a result, they are hesitant to use strong medicines. I always tell parents that there is a side effect of not treating acne aggressively enough — scarring — which can be difficult to treat.

The last five years have changed the way we treat acne scars completely. Before Fraxel and Fractional CO2 lasers came out, I didn’t think there was a really great treatment for acne scars. Those two lasers are great options now. It’s still not a perfect science, however, and there are people who respond better than others.

Some Scars Respond Better Than Others

It all depends on the type of acne scars you have. Someone who has icepick scars, which look as if they stabbed them with an icepick, would respond poorly to lasers. Whereas other types of scars, ones that are more shallow and undulating or boxcar-type scars, respond better to lasers.

Most people need multiple treatments for the lasers to be effective. It’s key when you are treating the scars to go deep enough, as they are deep in the dermis of the skin. The old ways of treating these scars with laser did not go deep enough, or they did go deep enough but not in a safe way.

Now we are able to go deep and do it safely by fractionating the laser. It’s a fairly simple concept: Instead of using a solid laser beam that resurfaces the entire surface of the skin, the laser beam is a grid of tiny laser beams, or is fractionated.

Although you cover the entire surface of the skin, you treat only the pinpoint grid the laser is divided up into. So in between is skin that is not treated. Because of that, it’s safe since you are leaving normal skin there to allow the treated grid to heal.

Fraxel vs Fractional CO2

The original Fraxel is not invasive in the sense there is no crusting — the energy penetrates deeply but the surface of the skin remains intact. That’s why it’s effective for acne scars. And as it does not resurface, there is no downtime. You are red and puffy for a few days but don’t have to spend time taking care of your wounds. We need four or five treatments for full effect.

The Fractional CO2 is the second generation of laser: It is ablative so you do get crusting, but it doesn’t just poke a hole in the face. You end up with a grid and your face will appear crusty. But if you look closely it’s only just tiny pinpoint pricks.

There is a little downtime with this laser as well, as you do not want to walk around with crust on your face. It seems, however, to be somewhat more effective at the expense of downtime, and it requires fewer treatments. Instead of four or five treatments, we usually only do two or three.

Types of Scars

Here are the main types of acne scars:

• Icepick scars: Narrow and and deep, their name derives from their appearance as the skin looks as if it were stabbed with an icepick.
• Rolling scars: Shallow, wide scars with a gentle slope and a rolling or undulating appearance.
• Hypertrophic scars: Raised acne scars with a firm, rubbery feel to them. Injections with cortisone and some lasers may help flatten them.
• Boxcar scars: Round/oval or occasionally rectangular depressions with sharply demarcated vertical edges. They are more “punched out” appearing than rolling scars and very much resemble chicken pox scars. They may be shallow or deep, while shallow boxcar scars may respond to a resurfacing laser such as the Fraxel laser, deep boxcar scars must be cut out and sutured.

Lasers are worth the time and effort when it comes to getting rid of most acne scars. Ask your dermatologist if this would be a suitable treatment for you.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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For years, people who had severe acne had only one option after they had unsuccessfully tried using over-the-counter creams, which was taking a medication such as Accutane, which is no longer available. Unfortunately, these medications were not always that healthy, and often had side effects throughout the whole body. What actually is creating the acne, however, is an overproduction of oil glands.  We treat this problem specifically at NuVision, using the latest technology available. This technology has truly changed the way acne is treated.

Isolaz

One of the newest technologies for treating acne is called Isolaz, which is deep pore therapy. Isolaz is an impulse light that actually shocks the production of a patient’s sebaceous glands so we can really attack the acne right at the source. Many patients who have tried even Accutane unsuccessfully have seen good results and good outcomes with the new Isolaz laser.

Isolaz is actually a technology that we embraced early on and that we have seen tremendous results with at NuVision. We have a lot of really happy clients because of Isolaz. And from that, we have had a huge referral base from young people who come in while they are just starting to have acne problems, along with adults who come in with onset adult acne. So the Isolaz laser therapy is really changing the way that acne is being treated.

Isolaz works in two different ways. It clears the pores and it emits a pulse of light. When Isolaz clears the pores, what it is doing is it’s using a vacuum to pull the tissue into the machine and stretch it out, a little bit, so that it can get deep penetration. While the treatment is actually being done, it’s really not uncomfortable for patients. We don’t have complaints about pain or discomfort like you do with CO2 lasers or things that require more resurfacing. So Isolaz really is a painless option for people.

Vi Peel

A brand new peel just came out—one of our colleagues in California, Dr. Kalil, is the physician who actually invented it—and it’s called a Vi Peel.

Glycolic peels are pretty superficial—they take away the surface layer of dead cells so that you can reveal a more dewy look on your face. But the Vi Peel is a medium peel so it is going to go deeper into the skin and take deeper layers out to reveal more youthful skin. This is a really good alternative for our patients who may have some superficial scaring in addition to their acne.

For the people who have superficial acne and superficial scaring, what we’ll do is go through a course of Isolaz treatments and then we’ll follow up with a few Vi Peel. We do this so that:

1. You get to the source of acne that’s causing the problem and stop it from happening.
2. You get to the old damaged skin and you peel it away so that you can reveal new, more youthful layers of skin that are smooth.

In addition to that, the Vi Peel also provides better tone for the patients.

Affirm Multiplex Laser

For patients who have a long history of acne, we start with the Isolaz, of course. But if they have a scarring issue, then we may also use a laser called the Affirm, which is a little more intense than something like the Isolaz. If you’ve ever had laser hair removal, it has that similar type of feeling, like a rubber band snapping.

What the Affirm laser does, is it actually motivates the production of collagen, and at the same time, it is actually shedding the scars for patients. After two or three treatments, patients see dramatic changes in their complexion. This is a laser that actually also works for stretch mark reduction and scar removal, as well. It’s a really impressive laser that we have had a lot of success with.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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It’s Common

It may be a relief to know that as many as half of all women and a quarter of all men have acne outbreaks at some point in their adulthood, according to Acne.org, an online dermatology resource.

Causes

Most acne flair-ups usually are linked to hormonal changes in the body rather than cleanliness, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and aren’t anything to be worried about. For women, adult acne also can be made worse by the routine application of make-up that can get into facial pores, especially for women who are away from home most of the day for work and who are reapplying make-up periodically without having a chance to wash their face thoroughly. Stopping birth control also can result in a breakout, since birth control affects a woman’s hormones and hormones affect the amount of sebum production and clarity of skin. For men, some adult acne really isn’t acne at all, but rather infected or ingrown hair follicles. This can happen from constant shaving or from shaving with a dull blade. Some soaps and facial scrubs actually can irritate your skin, too, and medications also can affect your complexion.

In addition to the causes and aggravates listed above, some people also find that their adult acne worsens during periods where they are under excessive amounts of stress. This is because stress is related to hormones, which are related to sebum production. If you notice that you have breakouts whenever your in-laws come to visit, the boss asks you to work late, or the kids don’t give you 15 minutes of silence except at bedtime, you may want to consider meditation or relaxing exercises like yoga to lessen the amount of stress you feel so that breakouts are kept in check.

One thing that does not cause acne is diet. No studies have shown that there is a link between breakouts and what one eats , according to the AAD. However, a good diet can improve the condition of your skin, since the skin requires vitamins, minerals, and proper hydration to stay healthy. Vitamin C, for instance, is involved with collagen production, says the Derm Blog, an online health resource, which is related to skin elasticity.

Treatment

If you have hormone-based acne, your doctor can assess your hormones and prescribe a medication to get your hormones balanced enough to clear up your skin. Benzoyl peroxide, the same acne medication teens use, can be prescribed for adults, as well. Over-the-counter astringents also can tighten pores. Use non-oily skin care products and wash gently twice a day rather than frequently. If the problem is exacerbated by a habit, such as wearing too much make-up, then you may see improvement just by eliminating or lessening that behavior, or by switching brands of a medication, shaving gel, soap, or cosmetic.

When To Get Help

As embarrassing as the nose pimple may be, a single blemish hardly justifies a trip to the dermatologist. You should see a dermatologist, however, if other treatments don’t work and your acne is accompanied by excessive redness, swelling, pain, scarring, or is so bad that it is causing repeated social anxiety, says the AAD. Severe adult acne can be symptomatic of other conditions, such as an allergic reaction to a commercial product, or to hormone-related problems such as ovarian cysts says the Natural Health Solutions for PCOS, an online PCOS resource, and needs to be examined by a professional.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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What It Is

Acne is clogged pores on the skin. It can manifest as blackheads, whiteheads, or pustules and nodules. Although it is most common on the face, it also can appear on the back, shoulders, and neck.

Cause

Contrary to popular belief, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is not the result of being dirty or of not washing the face. It is really the result of hormone production, specifically the production of testosterone. This hormone increases the amount of oil that is produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. The oil clogs the pores, resulting in acne. Since acne is related to hormones, it is most common in puberty, but it can persist through adulthood.

Treatment Options

If you have acne, you can try any one of the following treatments:

• Topical Medications. Topical medications include over-the-counter and prescription creams, lotions, and gels. They usually contain an agent such as benzoyl peroxide that helps clean out and tighten the pores.
• Oral Medications. If acne is more severe, oral medications are prescribed. They contain antibiotics that are helpful in reducing inflammation and bacteria. A common oral medication that is prescribed is the birth control pill—this medication impacts your the hormonal levels.
• Other Medications/Treatments. If topical and oral medications don’t seem to do the trick, you can try chemical peels, microderm abrasion, cortecosteroid injections, and light therapy. These treatments stimulate new skin cell growth, clean out pores, and reduce inflammation and bacteria.
• Surgery. This is the last resort treatment of acne. In this treatment, a dermatologist carefully cuts open areas inflamed by acne so that pus and sebum that has collected can be drained and removed. It is done when acne doesn’t respond to injections of cortecosteroid or other medication.

How to Avoid Breakouts

Since acne really is related more to hormones than to cleanliness, a good skin care regimen cannot guarantee the complete cessation of acne breakouts. A good regimen can reduce the odds that the excess oil released due to hormone levels gets trapped in skin pores, however, and thus may make a breakout less severe. Here’s what you can do to avoid a breakout:

• Wash your face regularly with warm water and a mild cleanser of your choice. This will not remove acne blemishes already present, but it opens pores so that they can be washed clean and removes oil from the skin that could clog the pores in the future. If your cleanser includes an exfoliating agent such as apricot pit, use it gently and don’t scrub the skin harshly with it—rubbing the cleanser lightly over the skin in a circular pattern should be enough to loosen contaminants and oil from the clogged pore.
• Limit the amount of cosmetics you wear. Cosmetics like cover up and blush cling to the oil produced by the sebaceous glands and can get into the pores, causing clogs. Going au naturelle will let the skin “breathe.”
• Use a gentle astringent. Astringents can prevent acne breakouts by keeping pores smaller. The smaller the pore, the less likely it is that oil and other contaminants can get inside to build up. You also can keep the pores tight (at least temporarily) by splashing your face with cool (not ice cold) water after washing; this will make the skin around the pores contract.
• Avoid picking, scratching, or pinching acne already on the skin. Picking, scratching, or pinching transfers bacteria, dirt, and oil from the hands to the skin of the face. It also can cause true lesions in the skin that make you suspectible to infection—if severe enough, the lesion itself can leave ugly scarring.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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If you worry about the reportedly high levels of pharmaceuticals in your tap water, treating your water with an ionizer may be right for you. Manufacturers argue that ionized water is healthier than tap water or filtered water.

What is a water ionizer?

Before we can talk about water ionizers, it’s worth learning what ionization is in the first place.

Ionization: It’s the process of converting an atom or other molecules into ions by adding or removing charged particles like electrons. That’s the gist of it. And now…

The controversial water ionizer: Basically, it ionizes water, and separates it into alkaline through electrolysis.

Electrolysis uses an electric current, forcing chemicals to react to each other if they do not react to each other naturally. Electrolysis is used to separate elements from naturally occurring sources, such as water.

In short, an ionizer uses the naturally occurring electrical charges of the calcium and magnesium found in most drinking water.

There are those who argue that ionized water has the potential to benefit human health immensely. This is for a host of reasons. One important reason is for the argued antioxidant properties of ionized water. Manufacturers say that these antioxidant properties fight illness and harmful bacteria. Additionally, manufacturers maintain that ionized water is useful for detoxification, beauty-enhancement, and the slowing of the signs of aging. They argue that ionized water treats acidosis, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, high blood pressure, digestion problems, osteoporosis, arthritis, and acne.

Not surprisingly, the supporters of water ionization contend that drinking tap water can harm the human body because it contains, they say, traces of pharmaceutical drugs, and it is too acidic for the body, thereby causing an imbalance to our PH levels.

Reports from the Associated Press’s National Investigative Team concluded from research that noticeably large amounts of pharmaceuticals are present in much of the drinking-water supplies across the United States.

Indeed, the issues are not black and white. Water ionization is a relatively new movement in water purification, and offers a new element in our relationship to the ingestion of perhaps the most important ingredient to human sustenance (water!).

But on a less serious note, if you happen to be considering installing a water ionizer in your home, you should know that many ionizer providers offer free trials because of the new and innovative nature of the field. Don’t be surprised if these trial periods are as long as two months. They certainly want you to feel comfortable with the product before you make a commitment.

Who might want to use one?

For those that believe the research supporting the beneficial properties of water ionization, a water ionizer could be a great addition to the home. Maybe you’ve tried all sorts of water purifiers and you’re still not happy. Water ionizers are not as widespread as filtration systems, but they are used for many of the same reasons. Namely, the presumption that the consumption of ionized water can produce a long list of health benefits – from sickness-treatment to illness-prevention.

The pros and cons:

As good as it all sounds according to the ionizer manufacturers and the Associated Press’s research findings, there are still many who contend that the claims in support of water ionization are not based on legitimate scientific conclusions. Water ionizers can cost hundreds of dollars. If there’s not enough recognized scientific evidence in their favor, they could be an empty – and costly – investment.

Water ionizers don’t work with any kind of water. They only have an effect on water that has minerals, like tap water. Distilled and filtered water, and water filtered by reverse osmosis are not affected by ionization.

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Lumifacial: The green LED light works for decreasing melanin production and pigmentation, so it will get rid of any redness.

There are so many different kinds of facials now that it’s hard to determine which one is for you. One that corrects redness? One that deals with acne and breakouts? What if you have a couple of issues you would like to correct, do you have to go through the time and money of multiple facial processes? And on top of that, you want to be sure you get a facial that is relaxing but that has some results. A facial should be a nice, de-stressing experience, but it should have a point beyond relaxation. It should make your skin feel refreshed and healthy. It should correct any problem areas. Because there are really no limits to how good something like a facial should feel, or how effective it should be, new types of the procedure pop up continuously.

The Lumifacial uses modern technology to try and push that effectiveness factor forward while creating a relaxing experience. This is not the facial you’re used to. The Lumifacial uses the power of four different colors of LED lights and micronized currents (“Micronized currents are non-invasive. They stimulate and resemble the biological currents that your body produces to tighten muscles. Extensive clinical research has shown that these currents are able to lift and tone the muscles.”) to treat the skin. A certain light energy or combination of light energies is chosen based on your skin’s needs. For example, blue light treats acne prone skin by going through the superficial dermis to reach the sebaceous gland. The green light works for decreasing melanin production and pigmentation, so it will get rid of any redness. The yellow light heals and detoxifies. It can actually work to heal wounds by being absorbed into the blood system. The red light increases collagen production by five times, so works to repair cells and stimulate growth. The red light is great for healing and carries oxygen and nutrients to the skin. You can choose to treat anywhere from one to four main problem areas this way. Basically the process allows you to focus on the different problem areas that affect you, as opposed to a more pre-tailored facial process. While full results could call for a process of six to ten visits, it is reported that results can be seen after the first time. The facial is supposed to be very comfortable and relaxing.

The process will involve a wrap-around panel being positioned in front of your face–this is the panel that will emit the LED light. Toward the end of the thirty minute facial, the skin care professional will apply special products to your skin that will then interact with the light energies for increased results.

Because the Lumifacial has different treatment options as part of its process, almost anyone can have the facial done. The facial can treat everything from acne to aging, so it works for young and old, and from those who feel their skin needs a pick-me-up to those who have more serious dermatological issues. The whole treatment takes about thirty minutes and then you’re back to your day, no need for down time – so really it’s an option for just about anyone.

The benefits of the Lumifacial are substantial but not too far removed from the benefits of your average facial when done well. There is no redness or peeling – thank goodness, because that’s unattractive, and there’s no discomfort. Again, it is a big plus that you can choose your light energy to target the exact issue your skin has. A portion of the improvement can be seen immediately, with younger looking skin, less lines, redefined contour, and better elasticity. Not to mention, if this is an issue you choose to treat, decrease in blemishes and pore size. Also, the process can be done to the neck, hands, and chest, so the rest of you can match your refreshed face!

There seem to be no documented risks or side effects. You’d think a treatment implementing LED light energies would carry a slight potential risk for thermal damage of some sort. But without the UV rays, LED light alone is 100% safe, and causes absolutely no thermal damage. Just remember, a single session of this facial will only last up to three months. And if there’s one downside, it’s that no matter what they claim, there’s no way this type of facial can be as relaxing as the standard, traditional type. If you have a real skin issue, then this is the way to go. But if you just need to de-stress, a large metal LED lamp in front of your face probably won’t do the trick.

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