Lumie Clear

'Light therapy treatment for mild-moderate acne'

NEW Lumie Clear offers a convenient and safe alternative to creams and prescriptions for treating mild-moderate acne. Hold it next to your skin for an intensive treatment or use the stand for a longer session and treat a wider area.

The blue and red LEDs are proven in clinical trials to tackle bacteria and inflammation, giving noticeable results in 4 weeks and significant improvement in the overall appearance of skin after 12 weeks.

More about the research >>

Acne

There are a number of different types of acne, the most common being acne vulgaris. For most people it starts and ends in their teens or early twenties but it can also affect people for the first time in their late twenties or thirties. Symptoms are usually fairly mild with just a few spots now and then on the face, neck or shoulders. When it's a more serious and long-lasting problem, acne can impact on day-to-day activities and shatter self-confidence.

Symptoms are typically a mixture of the following:

• Spots on the face, neck, chest and back
• Oily skin
• Blackheads and whiteheads
• Red inflamed spots
• Yellow pus-filled spots
• Scarring from old spots
• Sometimes larger tender cysts develop

What causes it?
Hormonal changes are thought to trigger acne due to a combination of the way the skin reacts to these and the effect of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria.

Testosterone is thought to be the main culprit as it triggers sebaceous (oil-producing) glands in the skin to produce more natural oils. A knock-on effect of this is that dead skin cells aren't shed properly and clog up the follicles. This is when whiteheads and blackheads (where oil in the pores has darkened) start to form.

On top of that, Propionibacterium acnes also plays a part. These bacteria are on everyone's skin and don't usually cause any problems but, unfortunately, the build-up of oil described above provides the ideal environment for them to multiply. This triggers inflammation and the formation of red or pus-filled spots.

Testosterone levels change most dramatically around puberty and also during menstruation and pregnancy which explains why many people that get acne suffer at these times. Others may just be particularly sensitive to the hormone, even at normal levels.

Acne can run in families but if your parents had acne it doesn't automatically mean that you'll get it as well.

What treatment is there?
At present there is no ‘cure' for acne, although treatments can be very effective in preventing the formation of new spots and scarring. Expect to have to try things out for at least two months before you see much improvement.

Over the counter treatments

Over the counter gels and creams are usually the first choice for people with mild to moderate acne. They contain chemicals that attack the bacteria (e.g. benzoyl peroxide) and so they can sometimes cause skin irritation such as dryness or itching. If you have acne but have had no success with over-the-counter products then it is probably time for you to visit your doctor.

Prescription treatments

Drugs can be very effective and usually need to be taken for a few months or until there is no further improvement.

Oral antibiotics are useful in the short-term but after prolonged use the bacteria may become resistant and then the acne returns. They can also affect the numbers of healthy bacteria in the gut, leading to higher levels of toxins in the bloodstream which can make the acne even worse.

Isotretanoin, probably better known by the brand name Roaccutane, is a strong drug that should be prescribed carefully. It works by shutting down oil production in the sebaceous glands so it can therefore have other unpleasant effects, including red, dry skin, cracked lips, eye irritation, brittle nails and hair loss. It has been also been linked with depression and even suicide in younger users. Women taking it must use contraception as it can harm the developing child.

It should be emphasised that many people decide the benefits outweigh the side-effects, cope well with the drugs and are pleased with the results.

1. PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

Lumie Clear uses a mix of blue & red LEDs (peaks at approx 420nm and 660 nm) as a treatment for Acne Vulgaris.

Violet: Exposing the P. acnes to blue light 415nm - Absorption of violet light by endo-porphyrins releases active oxygen which targets and kills the p.acnes - blue acts as antibacterial

Red: Macrophages exposed to 660 nm low-level wavelengths release cytokines which stimulate fibroblast proliferation and the production of growth factors, thus influencing the inflammatory process, healing and wound repair. Red light acts an anti inflammatory

2. FEATURES
Lumie Clear is compact with the head fitting inside a base thus offering the consumer with a compact product.

Lumie Clear offers two features to the user:
o The base is fitted with ballast to avoid toppling
o Blue LEDs to kill bacteria
o Red LEDs to reduce inflammation
o Detachable head for close-up treatment of specific areas
o Adjustable stand for hands-free treatment
o Folds into base for compact storage
o Timer
o Goggles
o UV safe
o 15 minutes daily when used close-up

3. RESEARCH
Lumie have been working closely with Hammersmith hospital for the design and the development of Clear. Hammersmith hospital is behind the study proving the efficacy of this type of treatments. Lumie Clear is based on the Hammersmith research and is the first product in the market to combine both treatments (red and blue) simultaneously.

4. PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Laser and other light therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris: systematic review.
Br J Dermatol. 2009 Jun;160(6):1273-85.
This report summarised 25 trials (694 patients) into laser and other light therapy as a treatment for acne vulgaris. 13 of those looked at the effects of light therapy alone and trials of blue light, combination blue-red light and infrared radiation were successful, particularly with regular treatments. Combination blue-red light was shown to be more effective than topical 5% benzoyl peroxide (found in many over the counter products) in the short term.

Non-invasive diagnostic evaluation of phototherapeutic effects of red light phototherapy of acne vulgaris.
Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2008 Oct;24(5):244-8.
Fifteen women suffering from moderate acne vulgaris were exposed to red light (600-750 nm) twice weekly for 4 weeks. Overall, there was a significant improvement in the appearance of the skin including a reduction of sebum excretion and less dryness, even at the 3-month follow-up visit. The authors concluded that red light therapy was an effective, well-tolerated, safe, simple and inexpensive treatment option for moderate acne vulgaris. Lumie Clear red LEDs emits light at 660nm.

An assessment of the efficacy of blue light phototherapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Sep;7(3):180-8.
This is a recent study into the effects of blue light (415-425 nm) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. 21 patients with mild to moderate facial acne were given 14-min treatment sessions twice a week for 4 weeks. Acne severity was scored before and after treatment and was seen to improve significantly and in addition this was shown to have a big impact on the patients' quality of life. Lumie Clear has been designed using blue LEDs at 415nm.

Blue and red light combination LED phototherapy for acne vulgaris in patients with skin phototype IV.
Lasers Surg Med. 2007 Feb;39(2):180-8.
Both blue and red light was used in this study although patients were exposed to the light treatments alternately rather than at the same time as with Lumie Clear. 24 patients with mild to moderately severe facial acne used LED devices, alternating blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) light. At the end of the 8-week trial, skin was a lot less inflamed and - even though they weren't specifically asked - over half those that took part said their skin looked and felt better!

Light-emitting diode 415 nm in the treatment of inflammatory acne: an open-label, multicentric, pilot investigation.
J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2006 Apr;8(1):31-3.
Forty-five patients were treated with high-intensity pure blue light at 415 nm using a LED (light-emitting diode) light source. They had two 20-minute treatments a week for a period of 4-8 weeks. The treatment was well-tolerated with no side-effects and there were considerable improvements after 4 and 8 weeks, with nine patients completely clear at the end of treatment.

Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Br J Dermatol. 2000 May;142(5):973-8.
This was a large study involving 107 patients using blue (peak at 415 nm) and red (peaks 660 nm) light. Patients received blue light only, mixed blue and red light or cool white light (all for 15 minutes a day) or 5% benzoyl peroxide cream and were assessed every four weeks. After 12 weeks of treatment inflammation was on average 76% improved with the combined blue-red light phototherapy - better than the benzoyl peroxide cream treatment. It's suggested that mixed blue-red light works by combining antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. Dr Chu and the research team involved in this study have worked closely with Lumie on the development of Lumie Clear.

Anti-inflammatory properties of narrow-band blue light.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2006 Jul-Aug;5(7):605-10.
Blue light (420 nm) is safe and effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. It works because it has a toxic effect on the metabolism of Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for the condition. This study - and others - showed blue light also had anti-inflammatory properties making it doubly useful in the treatment of acne.

Combination blue (415 nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment of mild to severe acne vulgaris.
J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2006 Jun;8(2):71-5.
This was an early piece of research investigating the potential of light therapy as an alternative to conventional acne treatment. Treatment was over four weeks with subjects having two sessions a week, alternating between 415 nm blue light and 633 nm red light. The number of lesions was down after two weeks and was still down on baseline levels 8 weeks after the treatment ended. Almost all patients stuck with the treatment which was painless and had no side-effects.

When can I expect to see results with Lumie Clear?
Everybody's different but, when used as recommended, you may see a difference in 4 weeks. Keep using Lumie Clear on each affected area and you should see excellent results in around 8 to 12 weeks.

Do I need to use Lumie Clear every day?
Lumie Clear works best if you use it every day. Continued use is recommended as part of your normal skin care routine.

How long does it take?
It all depends whether you use Lumie Clear close to your skin or further away. For best results, use Lumie Clear up close, holding it right next to affected areas. Used like this, the recommended treatment time is 15 minutes a day.

If you prefer to use Lumie Clear further away - with it angled on the base unit so you can treat your shoulders, for example - then you will need to use it for an hour or so every day. You could split this into a number of short sessions if it's more convenient for you; the effects of light therapy are cumulative, so you'll still benefit.

For Lumie Clear to be effective, you must follow the distance/recommended treatment times as stated in the instruction booklet.

Is Lumie Clear a one spot treatment?
No. The minimum treatment area is about 60 x 35mm and applies when Lumie Clear is close to the affected skin. If you hold Lumie Clear further away, the treatment area increases as the light spreads.

When do I need to use the goggles?
Blue LEDs can be hazardous if you stare at them for a long time so we recommend that you use the goggles provided with Lumie Clear during treatment sessions where the light could shine in your eyes.

Will the treatment hurt?
No. Unlike lasers or other ablative treatments, Lumie Clear is non-thermal, non-ablative, non-invasive and will not hurt.

Is Lumie Clear light therapy treatment safe?
Yes. Light therapy has been used successfully in spas and dermatology clinics all over the world. Lumie Clear follows published research and is a safe and effective means to combat acne without burning or drying out your skin.

There is no risk of tanning from Lumie Clear, in fact the levels of UV (ultraviolet) light emitted are considerably lower than the limits imposed by international guidelines.

Can I use my normal creams/lotions/cleansers?
Yes. Lumie Clear can be used alone or with other skin care treatments. People taking medication such as roaccutane should consult their GP or dermatologist before using Lumie Clear. Please note: Lumie Clear is intended to be a natural treatment and a replacement for creams and medications.

Some medication, such as isotretinoin and topical retinoids, can cause the skin to react with light. If you are taking medication that might have this type of side effect (referred to as photosensitivity), please consult your doctor before using Lumie Clear.

As your acne improves with Lumie Clear, other acne treatments could be gradually reduced or stopped. This should be under the direction of your doctor if they have been prescribed.

Will Lumie Clear work on any part of my body?
Yes. Lumie Clear can be applied to any part of the body affected by acne vulgaris.

Does Lumie Clear work for any skin type?
Yes. LED light therapy is proven to work on all skin types.