Acupuncture, Acne, and LED Light Therapy: Synergistic Effects

Are you tired of constantly battling stubborn acne? Acupuncture and LED light therapy could be the innovative solution you’ve been searching for. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore how these two treatments, one grounded in ancient wisdom and the other in modern technology, can be combined for a more effective and holistic approach to acne care. I will explain the science behind each method, and discuss the process, and precautions for each therapy. Read on to discover if acupuncture and LED light therapy could be the missing pieces in your quest for clear, healthy skin.

Customized For Each Patient

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine technique that involves the insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body. The philosophy behind acupuncture is rooted in the concept of ‘Qi’ (pronounced “chee”), or life force, which flows through meridians—energy channels—inside the body. The practice aims to balance and restore the flow of Qi, and remove other imbalances to promote health and well-being.

Not all acne is alike so treatment also needs to be personalized to the type of acne. Are there predominantly white heads and blackheads, inflammatory acne, hormonal acne, or cystic acne? Is it hormonal acne?

I find that personalized treatment of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for acne targets the specific imbalance triggering your acne.

Balancing Hormones: Hormonal imbalances are a leading cause of acne. Acupuncture is believed to modulate hormonal levels by affecting the endocrine system. For this, we may focus on moving stagnation.

Reducing Inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of acupuncture can help alleviate the redness and swelling commonly associated with acne. Local acupuncture called ashi points can help with reducing inflammation. 

Improving Circulation: Acupuncture also improves blood flow to the facial area, supporting the healing process. This is also done through acupuncture close to the acne. 

Acupuncture points will be chosen according to the type of acne, location of the acne, as well as whole body symptoms such as digestion and menstrual cycles. Acupuncture points can be chosen along the meridian, on the arms and the legs, and also over the location of the acne.

Acupuncture helps to balance the body, and hormones, and reduce inflammation. Herbal medicine is powerful in targeting specific imbalances as well as many aspects of the acne cycle.

LED Light Therapy for Acne

LED (Light Emitting Diode) light therapy offers a non-invasive way to tackle acne at its roots. 

LED light therapy uses varying wavelengths of light to treat different skin issues. For acne, two types of LED lights are most commonly used: blue and red.

Blue Light: Targets the bacteria responsible for acne. It penetrates just below the surface of the skin to kill Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that can lead to the formation of acne when trapped in pores.

Red Light: Works deeper to reduce inflammation and redness, promoting faster healing. It is often used in conjunction with blue light for a more comprehensive treatment. Red light also stimulates collagen production, which can help in the healing of acne scars.

Combining Acupuncture and LED Light Therapy

The session starts with traditional acupuncture treatment. After the initial consultation and determination of the imbalances we will target. Then we have an acupuncture session where fine needles are inserted at specific acupoints that correspond to your imbalances.  We will use both acupuncture points along the meridians as well as on the face near the acne. The goal is to balance your body’s energy flow, or Qi, and to alleviate inflammation. 

Once the acupuncture needles are in place, safety goggles are placed over your eyes and an LED light therapy panel is positioned over the treatment area.  Blue light may be used to kill acne-causing bacteria combined with red light which helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

This combination helps to improve circulation and speed the healing process.  

The LED therapy is done for 30 minutes. The lights will generally pulse on and off which provides stronger penetration. It is very comfortable and relaxing and patients will often fall asleep during the treatment.  Patients will usually come in once a week for a treatment course of 4-12 visits.

Always tell us if you are using any photosensitizing medications such as retinoids, antibiotics, or steroids.

Synergy of Many Approaches

We offer a potent and holistic way to manage acne by harnessing the benefits of both acupuncture and LED light therapy. While acupuncture works to address internal imbalances, improve hormones, and reduce inflammation, LED light therapy assists in killing bacteria and promoting skin regeneration, making them a powerful combination in the quest for clear skin. Many patients will also take herbal medicine for acne and it is always important to think about your food choices which may be a trigger.