Acne Specialist

Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology

Board Certified Dermatologist located in Columbia, MD

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Whether you’re an adolescent dealing with teenage acne or a woman suffering from hormonal acne, expert dermatologist Cheryl Bansal, MD and the team at Medical & Aesthetic Dermatology in Columbia, Maryland can help. We offer TheraClear®, a procedure devised by Theravant Corp., to treat acne with light and vacuum therapy. Call the office or book an appointment online to learn how you can have acne treated today.

443-542-0505

Acne Q & A

Why should acne be treated?

Acne is not just a skin problem that should be allowed to run its course. Without treatment, you can suffer from permanent scarring and dark spots. Plus, acne can make you self-conscious; treat acne to boost your self-confidence.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Acne is not just a few pimples, it can be chronic and debilitating. Acne includes:

Blackheads and whiteheads
Pustules
Papules
Cysts
Nodules

You usually notice acne on the face, but it can also appear on the back, upper arms, buttocks, chest, neck, and shoulders.

What is BLU U for Acne?

Blue light is an innovative treatment for moderate acne. If you have moderate acne and want a safe, effective, in-office treatment that complements and works synergistically with your existing topical and oral regimen, blue light may be for you. BLU-U is a unique blue light that kills the acne-causing P. acnes bacteria in your skin. During each treatment, you sit with your face close to the blue light for 16 minutes and 40 seconds. The treatment is repeated once weekly for about six weeks. After several weeks, the blue light can help control your acne

Is BLU-U for acne safe?

BLU-U for acne is safe. It is not hot or painful.

Can I Take Acne Medications With BLU-U?

You can generally continue to use many of your acne medications with BLU-U, but be sure to consult with your dermatologist first. Many patients using BLU-U prefer not to use oral antibiotics. However, many patients are on oral antibiotics for acne, topical acne treatments, and blue light for acne, all at the same time.

Is BLU-U For Acne Different From Any Other Blue Light?

The BLU-U light is very intense. We use the DUSA BLU-U unit, which puts out 10J per square centimeter when the light is delivered for 1000 seconds (16 minutes and 40 seconds). This is far more energy than a normal light bulb. The BLU-U light puts out intense light at a wavelength of 417 nm +- 5nm. The maximum absorption peak for porphyrins in P. acnes is at 410 nm. The BLU-U light source is also U-shaped, allowing even light to the front and sides of the face. The light can be adjusted for scalp, chest, and shoulder treatments as well.