The effectiveness of home-use LED (Light-Emitting Diodes) facial devices is at best minimal, and the effects (if any) may not be noticeable on every user, according to a study of the Consumer Council.
Increasingly being marketed for use by consumers at home, these LED facial devices are available in 4 colours of blue, red, yellow and green, each with its own claimed effectiveness.
Among them with any proven effectiveness in professional use is the LED blue-light treatment, which is known to help reduce acne outbreaks.
Development of acne involves proliferation of inflammation-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes), and the use of blue-light was believed to be able to kill the bacteria and lessen the inflammation.
Dermatologists, however, pointed out that blue-light does not work for everyone, and is considered ineffective in treatment of severe inflammatory acne.
In-office professional blue-light treatment could only provide temporary relief to mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne at best.
Blue-light treatment is normally used by professionals on acne-suffering patients who are not good candidates for or who do not respond to traditional acne therapies.
Application of home-use LED blue-light devices on the skin over a period of time may lead to darkening the overall skin tone or worsened freckles in Asians.
Home-use LED facial devices in other colour lights promote claims of a variety of effects: red-light for skin rejuvenation, yellow-light to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and green-light for spots and freckles reduction.
According to dermatologists and overseas studies, It is doubtful that given their much lower energy output for home-use purpose, these devices can live up to the expectation of their claims at all.
Although home-use LED facial devices usually have very few side effects, would-be users should take heed that it is not suitable for patients with epilepsy and photophobic diseases or for patients taking medicine such as antihistamines, tetracyclines and sulfonamides.
Acne patients taking isotretinoin are also suggested to consult a physician prior to light treatment.
As high intensity light source may cause harm to the eyes, wear goggles to protect yourself when using the device and avoid pointing the light beam to the others.
| CHOICE magazine is now also available online (https://echoice.consumer.org.hk/ ) . Members from the media who are invited by this Council to the Press Conference may quote the content of this Press Statement. The Consumer Council reserves all its right (including copyright) in respect of CHOICE magazine and Onlin CHOICE (https://echoice.consumer.org.hk/ ). |