Get Rid of Acne with Hand-held Devices

Is acne dragging you down? Your face is a showcase of zits, pimples, bumps or red humps? Whatever pet names they have been referred to—acne can wreck more than your otherwise beautiful face. It steals your self-esteem and ruins your personal appearance. Acne is a common problem—according to the American Academy of Dermatology, 40 to 50 million Americans have some forms of acne. If you’re a teenager, your chance increases many folds, thanks to the production of androgens, a hormone plentiful during adolescence. 80 percent of adolescents grapple with acne.

Where do most acne-sufferers turn to for help? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Americans spend more than $1.2 billion each year on acne treatments with medical help being the most common used option to tame acne. Most people have used common over-the-counter topicals such as Neutrogena acne wash treatments, Clearasil, ProActiv (sold mainly through subscription) and Burt’s Bees new range of acne treatment products.  These may work with varying degrees but for some, acne can be stubborn and difficult.  In addition, there is always the concern of the overuse of antibiotics, long-term antibiotic use, and the potential side effects of medications. If you’re looking for alternative treatment, New York Times reported the growing popularity of hand-held acne devices, kind of like your mini-home treatments equivalent to professional devices used by dermatologists.

What are they and do they work? While I’m not a dermatologist, I’ve a keen interest in anything that promotes beauty. I’ve researched some held-held acne devices that are being marketed right now and some expert advices as to whether they work.

Hand-held acne devices use advanced light and heat technologies to target acne to prevent flare-ups and banish existing ones. Most use red-and -green light technologies, similar to blue- and- red light technologies to kill bacteria and promote healing of lesions. According to some experts, such intense pulsed light technology emits a broad spectrum of light that can penetrate skin more deeply and be used to treat a number of skin imperfections, including wrinkles and a persistent red complexion.

Dr. Neil Sadick, a dermatologist in Manhatten, revealed in a paper published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology that phototherapy destroyed propionbacterium acnes, the slow growing bacteria associated with acne. When exposed to laser and light sources, these bacteria burst and become destroyed. In the study cited, patients used Omnilux Clear-U blue-and-red-light therapies and their acne lesions diminished by 69 percent after an 8-week long treatment.

The American Academy of Dermatology also pointed out another advantage of such treatments: light and heat treatments destroy and shrink oil glands, where acne bacteria live.  The result? The structure of the skin is changed, leading to less oil production, and happily less acne flare-ups.

However, Dr. Sadick cautioned that such treatments are most effective when used in conjunction with other acne treatments and should be used as a “maintenance” measure between doctor visits.

Having said that, what are some of the hand-held devices that are slated to represent one of the top three categories of home-used aesthetic devices sold global y according to Michael Moretti, an analyst and founder of Medical Insight?

Zeno Pro-Acne Cleaning Device

This device uses thermal technology and has been on the market for about 4 years. Hand-held, battery-operated and approved by the FDA, Zeno works best when you first notice signs of new pimples. Clinically proven to fade pimples within 24 hours.

Product Features:

• Clinically proven
• Dermatologist recommended
• 90 percent of the blemishes treated fade or disappear within 24 hours, according to clinical trials.

Tanda Light Therapy Skincare System

Tanda system uses the science of light therapy to kill acne-causing bacteria and stimulates collagen production in the skin.  It is based on more than 30 years of clinical use and is the first device licensed by Health Canada.

Product Features:

• Helps to cure existing blemishes and prevent further acne breakouts before they start
• Accelerates healing to reduce chance of scarring and to minimize the signs of aging
• Healthy acne-free skin in only minutes a day.

No!no! Acne Treatment System

Small and light-weight, this handy gadget uses Light and Heat Energy (LHE) to eliminate pimples at their source. It is clinically proven to be effective and promises n o scarring or burning. Just skin over a pimple, push button for 10 seconds and enjoy clearer skin as a result.

Product Features:

• Safe and easy to use
• Completely painless
• Safe on all skin types and colors
• Completely rechargeable and fully featured
• Fully CE MDD certified and approved

CLARO

CLARO uses both heat and light to target and clear acne fast. It uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), a powerful combination of heat and light to treat mild to moderate acne fast by delivering a series of light pulses in 6 seconds to safely penetrate skin for more effective results. Clinical studies have shown that IPL treatments are comparable if not more effective than prescription antibiotics.

Product Features:

• FDA cleared
• Fast and Effective (6 seconds per treatment)
• Painless
• Portable, battery-operated and rechargeable

If you’re still in the dark regarding the various light technologies used, here’s the scoop:

Blue Light (400 to 430 nm) helps to stimulate the production of oxygen which attacks the bacteria that causes the acne in the first place.

Red Light (600 nm) combines with heat to soothe inflammation, redness and soreness of each pimple, speeds up the skin’s natural healing process.

Infra-Red Energy (700 nm) generates heat to kill the acne bacteria and increases the effectiveness of blue light.

So, if you’re struggling with stubborn acne or you’re frustrated with your existing acne control routine, try one of these handy hand-held acne busters.