Dr. Rivkin's Blog: Gram Negative Acne and Blue Light?

Alexander Z. Rivkin M.D. is a Yale trained facial cosmetic surgeon and UCLA faculty member who has focused his practice exclusively on providing his patients with the latest in non-invasive, non-ablative cosmetic treatments in Southern California. He understands that no one relishes the thought of “going under the knife,” and believes modern medical technology can provide today's patients with superior alternatives to invasive, painful surgery that requires a long recovery time.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Gram Negative Acne and Blue Light?

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).