We all have had a pimple at some point in our lives, and some of us broke out so much that our faces looked like a Pepperoni pizza. For most of us, those days are well behind us, but there are still some people who get regular breakouts well into their adult years.
Acne is a mild bacterial infection that affects the pores of the skin. An oily substance is secreted through narrow follicles in order to remove dead skin cells, and sometimes the combination of these two substances mixed with hair can form a clog. This will cause bacteria to get trapped inside the follicle, which create skin lesions commonly referred to as pimples.
There are a variety of treatments available for acne, which can include over-the-counter creams, pads, and prescription antibiotics. For milder cases of acne, over-the-counter medications are the best option, but if your breakouts are more severe, then stronger prescription medications might be necessary. You can look at this Wikipedia article for more information on the available treatments.
Light Therapy
This new treatment has gained popularity in the last ten years, and it involves a combination of red and blue lights that not only help to kill acne causing bacteria but also acts as a preventative measure against future breakouts. While the blue light helps treat the infection, the red light stimulates new cell growth, which helps prevent inflammation.
In spite of its popularity, light therapy can be out of reach for some people, because it is expensive. One light therapy session at the doctor’s office can caused at least $150 or more. So, if you’re on a budget, this might not be an option for you.
The Illumask
This acne mask is a revolutionary new product that makes light therapy more convenient and more affordable. It costs $29.95 for thirty 15-minute sessions, and it is designed for home use. You wear it over your face like a pair of glasses, and it has an opening over your field of vision. So, you can sit on the couch and watch TV while the acne mask does the rest.
There is one thing you have to consider, though. While the cost of the mask is only $29.95, but once you’ve used up your thirty sessions the acne mask becomes a proverbial deadweight. In other words, if you’re planning to use it as part of your daily routine, then you should expect to purchase a new mask every 30 days. And when you initially buy the acne mask you have to agree to their “Continuity Plan,” which means that they will ship you a new one every 30 days. This means automatic charges to your credit card. Still, when you compare it to other forms of light therapy, the cost is considerably lower – less than $1 a session.
You also have to bear in mind that this acne mask is not as powerful as the kind of light therapy you would get at the doctor’s office. So, you shouldn’t expect to see any noticeable results until about 2-4 weeks of regular use. You should also bear in mind that while this acne mask does have a pair of protective glasses to shield your eyes from the bright lights swimming across your face, it can still cause eye irritation. So, if you experience any discomfort or loss of vision you should consider switching to another treatment method. And while these cases are rare, it has been known to cause migraine headaches and seizures. So, you should exercise caution if you’re prone to either of those conditions.
Conclusion
While this new acne mask is not without its drawbacks, it is still a great way to get the benefits of light therapy without ever leaving your home, and compared to other types of light therapy it’s surprisingly affordable. In fact, the New York Times gave the Illumask a positive review.
There are some things you do have to take into consideration, but it is still a good product that is proving to show some positive results.
