Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Ed Yeates Reporting A group of Utah researchers have developed a small, portable pen that uses harmless wavelengths of light to get rid of acne. It's apparently just the beginning of a whole series of similar devices.
Fifteen-year old Marissa Stowell is one of several teenagers testing a new portable pen that zaps zits with light. Depending on the wavelength you choose, the lights either treat surface blemishes or they penetrate and get rid of those seeding under the skin which haven't yet blossomed.
Marissa Stowell, Volunteer: "Creams, I can feel a burn or it dries out the skin, but this, you don't feel any sensation or anything, but you see more of a difference."
The pen is the brainchild of Steve Powell and his colleagues at an Orem research company called Lumiport. Light to treat skin disorders is not new, but condensing it into a portable pen is.
Steve Powell, Lumiport: "We can take the high-powered levels of blue and the benefits of the red light, and combine them in a portable product that someone can take with them and use basically anywhere."
That's what 17-year old Chelsea Blosil and 16-year old Emily Jacobsen have been doing.
Chelsea Blosil, Volunteer: "During high school years it's one thing to have a lot of acne problems, and if you can have just a device where a light is shining on your face..."
Emily Jacobsen, Volunteer: "So you use the red light and that will clear it up, and the blue, which Chelsea talks about, and it prevents it and no one even knows it's there."
Later this year, the Orem company hopes to begin clinical trials at the University of Utah, testing pen devices that deliver even more concentrated light.
Steve Powell: "Right now, with the current device, most people will see results within 24 hours and have complete relief within a week's time. We're hoping to be able to cut that down where people can have complete relief and be acne free within 48 hours."
Powell's group is also working on a full face mask that will use multiple light to extensively treat a whole host of skin conditions.
