At-home LED acne treatments: experts say they're safe, but not always very effective

It’s the latest wrinkle in acne treatments -- an at-home kit that uses LED light therapy by exposing the skin to various wavelengths of colored light in an attempt to clear up blemishes.

LED treatments aren’t just favored by dermatologists and facialists, but by high-profile celebs like Carla Bruni, Sienna Miller and Natalie Imbruglia, reports The Daily Mail. In salons, a light treatment could cost well over $100 and take more than six sessions.

But a hand-held device for home use actually mimics the treatments that the pros pay top dollar for, at a much smaller price.

The Tanda Light Therapy Skincare System, created in Canada, is a minimachine for home use that has two separate devices. One, the Tanda Clear, employs blue LED light to zap bacteria that cause acne. Red LED light is used in the Tanda Regenerate, said to enliven collagen-producing cells, with the goal of fewer wrinkles and firmer skin. Studies found that users experienced a "significant" reduction in pimples, reports The Daily Mail.

So is a device like this safe for those who like the idea of a do-it-yourself acne treatment?

"It appears to be safe, but I would be skeptical of the findings of any of these studies," says Dr. David Avram, a dermatologist at Long Island College Hospital. "They are not doubleblinded studies that meet the criteria for good scientific studies."

Those who use the at-home LED system may discover that it "will probably help on inflamed lesions," Avram says. "It will wipe away acne on the surface of the skin. It works very superficially on very mild cases, but in significant acne, it really does not have much of a role."

Adds Dr. Maria Tsoukas, a dermatologist at the University of Chicago, "The LED lights have been shown to be effective in acne therapy, but you have to be careful. Anytime someone uses something like this they should carefully follow the instructions."

Dr. Doris Day, dermatologist and an attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital, predicts that more products like the Tanda will make their way onto the market. But, she says, people should think of at-home acne treatments as an adjunct to the treatment they receive from a physician.

There is no true "cure" for acne, she explains, and it can be scarring. "The earlier and more appropriately you treat it, the greater chance that you will be able to clear the acne without leaving marks behind," Day explains. "Systems like these are okay as part of a treatment, because very often a combination of treatments is needed for acne. In any case, they should be used under the guidance of your dermatologist."

Avram says of the at-home treatments, "They are not dangerous, but people who use them should be realistic. People probably will just see a limited improvement. For those with more significant acne, it may just be a waste of their time."


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