Acne and light therapy – what can a soft laser realistically do?
Acne (pimples) is the most common skin complaint and it does not only affect teenagers — it can persist or recur in adulthood. Traditional treatments (creams, antibiotics) do not work for everyone, or they can have side effects. Light therapy — including soft lasers — can offer a complementary approach, mainly for inflamed pimples and post-acne redness.
Let’s be realistic about expectations
It’s important to be realistic with acne light therapy: red soft lasers can reduce inflammation, and blue light can lower the bacteria that cause pimples — but a soft laser alone is unlikely to be enough for more severe acne. Experience shows light therapy works best alongside conventional treatment, combined with it rather than instead of it. Below we go through what you can expect.
Personal-Laser L400 infrared soft-laser for point treatments. 400 mW continuous output, 808 nm laser beam. Delivers 4 Joules of energy in 10 seconds. Laser diode lifetime 10,000+ hours.
Energy-Laser L500 Pro infrared soft laser for point treatments. 500 mW continuous output, 808 nm laser beam. Delivers 5 Joules in 10 seconds. Laser diode lifetime 10,000+ hours.
PhysioLaser 500 soft-laser device. 808 nm treatment head. 500 mW power. 9 programs for joint pain, back pain and tendonitis, 11 beauty programs for wrinkle treatment, skin rejuvenation and cellulite.
Do you have a non-healing wound, scar, skin problem or tinnitus? The Personal Laser L200 medical soft laser with a 660 nm red beam can help support the natural regeneration of skin and superficial tissues at home, pain-free. Class 3B, CE IIa certified medical device. 200 mW continuous power, 12 Joule/min energy output. Protective goggles and an aluminium carry case are included.
How does light affect acne?
Several factors contribute to acne: increased sebum production, clogged pores, bacterial overgrowth in those pores, and the inflammation that follows. Depending on the wavelength, light therapy can act on two of these points with different effects.
The bacteria that contribute to pimples produce a substance that absorbs blue light; exposure damages the bacteria. This is the most thoroughly documented effect of light therapy for acne. If your goal is specifically to reduce bacteria, a blue (or combined blue-red) light device is the most straightforward choice.
Light in the red and infrared range (soft lasers typically work at around 660 and 808 nm) can have an anti-inflammatory effect and may support skin regeneration. That is why a soft laser mainly helps with the faster resolution of inflamed pimples and with fading post-acne redness — not with completely eliminating acne.
Research suggests that combining blue and red light can give more than either alone: blue targets the bacteria, red reduces inflammation. If you plan to use light therapy for your acne, look for a solution that offers both wavelengths — or add a red soft laser to your existing conventional treatment.
What can a red soft laser realistically be used for?
| Goal | What to expect | How well supported? |
|---|---|---|
| Inflamed pimple | Reduction of inflammation, faster resolution | Moderate |
| Post-acne redness | Support for skin regeneration | Moderate |
| Post-acne scarring | Improvement in scar tissue quality | Moderate |
| Prevention (bacterial reduction) | Limited — blue light is better suited here | Low |
How to use it? – Practical protocol
| Parameter | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 660 nm (red) or 808 nm (infrared) |
| Target area | Individual inflamed pimples — not the whole face |
| Frequency | Daily or every other day |
| Course | 4–8 weeks, then assess the result |
Practical tips
Clean your face before treatment. Treat the inflamed pimples targetedly, not the entire face. Never squeeze pimples. Use the soft laser alongside your existing treatment, not instead of it. And even when treating your face, wear protective goggles — light can reflect.
When NOT to use it, and when to see a doctor?
Do not direct the light into the eye or near the eye without protective goggles, and do not treat infected, pus-filled areas. Do not use if you are taking photosensitising medication — this can include some acne antibiotics (eg doxycycline) — nor while on isotretinoin (Roaccutan). If any of these apply, ask your treating doctor first. For severe, scarring acne do not wait — consult a dermatologist. Early, effective treatment can prevent permanent scarring. The soft laser is a complementary method, not a substitute for medical treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Honestly: the evidence is limited but encouraging in certain areas. A red soft laser mainly helps inflamed pimples resolve faster and can reduce post-acne redness. However, it is unlikely to be enough on its own to control all acne — so use it alongside conventional treatment.
They are good at different things. Blue light is more effective against the bacteria that cause pimples, while red light calms inflammation and supports skin regeneration. The combination of the two seems most promising. If you have a red soft laser, consider adding an antibacterial (blue light or conventional) treatment alongside it.
No. Use the soft laser as a complementary method alongside the treatment recommended by your dermatologist. Do not stop prescribed medications in favour of a soft laser — the two work best together. Always discuss any changes to your treatment with your treating doctor.
Light therapy works gradually: consider a 4–8 week course, using it daily or every other day, targeted to inflamed pimples, then assess the results. Patience is important and effects vary between individuals. If you don’t see improvement in the given time, discuss further options with your dermatologist.
With caution and only after medical consultation. Some acne medications make the skin photosensitive — including certain antibiotics (for example doxycycline) and isotretinoin (Roaccutan). Light therapy is not recommended while taking these. Before using a soft laser, ask your treating doctor whether it is safe with your medications.
Want to see the scientific background?
We wrote an honest, research-based review about soft laser treatment for acne on the blog — covering the strength of the evidence, comparison of blue and red light, and the full treatment protocol: Soft laser acne treatment — scientific review →
