Nowadays, whether walking down the street or riding the bus, cosmetic surgery advertisements are ubiquitous. We seem to live in a world dominated by cosmetic procedures—from minor treatments like mole removal and scar reduction to major ones like facial reconstruction and breast augmentation. It appears there's little cosmetic surgery can't accomplish. But how can minimally invasive procedures address the seemingly minor issue of acne?To address this, Public Health Network interviewed Dr. Zhang Yunsong, Director of the Plastic Surgery and Laser Center at Guangdong Provincial Second People's Hospital, who demystified laser acne treatment for us.
Red and blue light therapy is essentially harmless to the human body
"Photodynamic therapy is currently the latest laser acne treatment method, primarily utilizing red and blue light," stated Director Zhang Yunsong. He explained that long-term antibiotic use not only leads to bacterial resistance but also damages the kidneys and liver. In contrast, red and blue light therapy causes virtually no harm to the body, and the human body generally does not develop resistance to these wavelengths.
Red and blue light kills bacteria and accelerates healing
Additionally, Director Zhang Yun Song noted that the blue light component effectively kills bacteria, preventing wound infections and inflammation, while the red light promotes wound healing. Thus, the combined red and blue light therapy achieves dual benefits: sterilization and accelerated healing. It is indeed an effective acne treatment method.
Photodynamic Therapy Contraindicated for Light-Sensitive Individuals
Is this safe and effective acne treatment suitable for everyone? Director Zhang Yunsong clarified that since red-blue light therapy is a form of phototherapy, it is unsuitable for individuals with light allergies or photosensitive skin types. Additionally, patients who have used photosensitizing agents should avoid red-blue light therapy for two weeks afterward.Individuals with photosensitive conditions like porphyria are also contraindicated for red-blue light therapy.