Blu-U® Acne Treatment FAQs
What is the Blu-U® Light Treatment?
The Blu-U® is a unique blue light that kills the P. acnes bacteria in your skin. The blue-violet light penetrates just deep enough into the tissue to reach the acne target. It only affects the P. acnes bacteria, not the normal tissue and it contains no radiation and does not damage the skin itself.
Will Blu-U® get rid f all my acne?
Blu-U® treats only inflamed mild to moderate acne blemishes. Blu-U is not designed to clear cystic and/or nodular acne or comedones and will provide little or no clearing of these lesions. For those who suffer from severe acne, Dr. Fiala may recommend additional treatments.
Should I do anything special between Blu-U® treatments?
You should avoid touching or picking your blemishes at all times. Dr. Fiala will advise you of correct products and proper home care during and after your treatment.
How is a Blu-U® treatment performed?
At your appointment, we will protect your eyes with special glasses. You will then sit in front of a light for a short time. Optimal results will be achieved if you follow the recommended twice a week schedule of blue light treatments and after several weeks, you will see significant improvement.
If your acne does not appear to be responding to the blue light treatments, Dr. Fiala may recommend Blu-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy. This treatment requires the application of Levulan, a topical medication, to the skin by the medical staff. After a short incubation time, you will be placed in front of the blue light to activate the medication. You will be instructed to avoid the sun completely for the first 48 hours to prevent reactivation of the medication.
Photodynamic Therapy treatment?
The Levulan Photodynamic Therapy, treatment begins with the application of Levulan on all of the affected acne areas. After receiving this treatment, you will wait approximately 45 minutes to allow the Levulan to saturate deep into your skin. After the waiting time, you will put on protective goggles and sit in front of the Blu-U® Blue Light. The Blu-U® Blue Light portion of the treatment takes approximately 15 minutes.
What are the risks of a Blue Light Acne Treatment?
Blu-U® treatment is a very safe and non-invasive method of treating acne. The blue-violet light penetrates just deep enough into the tissue to reach the acne target and it only affects the P. acnes bacteria, not the normal tissue.
How long do the results last?
Clinical data suggest that most patients find their acne improves after two weeks of twice-weekly treatments. While many patients continue to improve over the months following treatment, some patients experience a plateau in their improvement and repeated treatments may be necessary to maintain results.
How effective are lasers in the treatment of acne?
Research studies have shown that up to 91% of patients saw their acne improve by an average of 66%. In the most recent clinical study, patients saw their acne become 81% less severe.
Are there side effects?
Since Blu-U® is not a drug, there are no drug-related side effects to worry about. Immediately following the procedure, some patients experience mild to moderate redness and swelling that will fade in as little as a couple of hours to as much as a few days.