Dr. Rivkin,

Do you know if the Blue LED light treatment is effective if a person has gram negative acne?

Thanks

hi,
well, the acne bacterium is called Propionibacterium acnes. it is a gram positive anaerobic bacterium. i don’t know of any gram negative acne, all though there is a condition called gram negative folliculitis that looks like acne. it is a rare condition caused by prolonged treatment of acne by certain antibiotics.
blue light only works on the gram postive p.acnes bacteria, not on the folliculitis. if you have that, antibiotics that cover gram negative bacteria should be used. if that doesn’t work, you may have to go for accutane.
i would be very sure of the diagnosis first, however (i.e. get a second opinion if necessary).

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