BLU-U® Blue Light Treatment

What is BLU-U®? How does it work?

The Blue Light Treatment offers effective, non-invasive, and pain-free treatment for moderate acne vulgaris, a condition affecting millions of adults, teens, and children.

The BLU-U® is not a laser. It emits safe, cool, visible blue light to provide an effective solution for acne removal and it works with all skin types (I-VI) even with a suntan.

What happens during a treatment?

With BLU-U®, a typical treatment session requires approximately 15 minutes. Patients sit on a chair while the therapeutic light is applied; sometimes there is a slight warming sensation. Treatments are described as easy, even relaxing, but most importantly, safe and painless.

What are the features of BLU-U®?

• New paradigm for acne treatment

• High-intensity, narrow spectrum blue-violet light destroys P. acnes bacteria

• Short treatment regimen: 8-10 treatments over 4-5 weeks to achieve impressive results

• No side effects, no pain, no downtime

How many treatments are required?

The doctor develops treatment plans based on individual patient needs. Typically, BLU-U® treatments are given twice a week for four weeks. It is important to keep treatment appointments recommended by the doctor in order to see maximum results.

For optimum results, a maintenance treatment session once a month is recommended after completion of the initial series.

How effective is BLU-U®?

The BLU-U® system effectively clears 70%-90% of moderate, inflammatory acne in four weeks. Results are especially impressive when compared with conventional treatments, such as topical creams and oral antibiotics.

Will skin be blemish-free at the end of the BLU-U® Treatments?

Though the inflammation will be gone for a majority of patients, some may experience residual redness where the inflamed blemish was located. The redness will dissipate over time.

Are the results permanent?

BLU-U® treatments usually help control acne breakouts for four to eight months; after that, occasional touch ups may be necessary.

Is BLU-U® safe? Are there any side effects?

BLU-U® is one of the safest acne treatments available. The system's blue-violet light penetrates just deep enough into the tissue to reach the acne target, without adversely affecting surrounding skin. BLU-U® has no known side effects.

Who can be treated with BLU-U®?

Most people can benefit from treatment. BLU-U® has proven to be very effective on mild to moderate, inflammatory acne. Pregnant women and people with photosensitivities should consult with Dr. Viljoen.

Do patients need to prepare their skin before coming in for a BLU-U® treatment?

Yes. The affected area should be washed with a mild acne cleanser, then rinsed with water and dried. Women should remove makeup before treatment sessions and should only wear oil-free make-up between appointments. Make-up can be re-applied immediately after a treatment session has been concluded.

What type of skincare is needed between BLU-U® treatments?

Patients should consult with their physicians regarding the daily use of a non-irritating, anti-acne cleanser such as salicylic acid. Patients should avoid touching or picking blemishes at all times. The use of salicylic acid enhances the effectiveness during and after treatments.

Are BLU-U® treatments FDA-cleared?

Yes. The BLU-U® system is one of the first devices to receive FDA clearance to market for the safe and effective treatment of moderate inflammatory acne. After eight, regularly spaced treatments, patients show significant improvement with no side effects noted.

Is there any downtime after a treatment?

Once the treatment session is over, patients can immediately return to their daily routine. This means no downtime or inconvenience, especially important factors for active teens and young adults

What if I have more serious acne?

One of our most popular procedures at Hummingbird involves combining Levulan, IPL, and BLU-U® to receive Photodynamic Therapy. It treats serious acne as well as sun damage. You will usually need about 2-3 treatments.