Kleresca Acne Treatment

Kleresca can temporarily suppress bacterial growth in acne prone skin. It is best used in lighter skin patients (as blue light worsens post acne pigmentation).

Kleresca is best for ‘juicy acne’ as these lesions are packed with bacteria. These include zits, pimples, pustules & cysts. 

Kleresca does not work well for deep cystic acne (submarine comedones), blackhead acne, whiteheads & hormonal acne / jawline acne.

Patients who would like to avoid taking prescription medications with scientific data.

Patients who would like a temporary suppression of acne. 

Lighter skin types as blue light phototherapy worsens grade 1 acne scarring & pigmentation.

Darker skin patients including ethnic-Asian-Islander- Middle Eastern skin types. Dark skin patients have pigment cells that are sensitive to blue light. This leads to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation that can take over 5 years to resolve. 

Kleresca uses not one, but two wavelengths of blue light. Blue is efficient at activating the gel used in this treatment, however for darker skin patients, dermatologists employ red light. Red is not as efficient, but far safer. 

Many. For a long time. Consider a loan.  

• Acne: A dozen treatments for the initial course. Maintenance/booster treatments can then be discussed with your therapist if needed. It may be a cycle a year for 5-10 years. Factor in $6,000 to $9,000 dollars over the course of your early adult life. 

Rosacea: 4 – 6 treatments depending on your severity, as recommended. Vascular laser sessions are partially covered by Medicare, Kleresca is not. 

Temporary side effects may include redness, swelling & bronzed hyperpigmentation of skin. This form of pigmentation is temporary & fades within a week to ten days.

Actual grade 1 scars or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation may worsen after blue light phototherapy. It is not too bad after one session, however the Kleresca treatment protocol ranges from 10-12 sessions. 

Side effects differ depending on skin type, so we always recommend talking to your therapist before beginning treatment.

Studies have shown that longevity is up to six months, acknowledging that some improvements can still be seen after the treatment course. 

Kleresca treatment has a very high recurrence rate, so if you don’t mind investing a few thousand dollars a year for the next 2-10 years, it could be the treatment of choice. 

It can, but that is rare. The reason is that hormonal or jawline acne presents as deep cysts. As the name suggests the cause is hormonal. Kleresca uses blue light to activate porphyrins. Blue light does not penetrate deeply. 

Klereasca has a very narrow therapeutic window. We use it for-

• Patients who are contraindicated medically for mainstream therapies, example anti-hormones or retinoids. 
• Those who have professional restrictions. Pilots & military personnel where night vision cannot be compromised. 
• Patient who understands that this is a novel treatment with studies limited to 6 months.

Yes. Using blue light from say BBL or LEDs such as Healite or Omnilux works. The use of red & blue light works better. 

For patients who have dark skin, blue light can potentially make post inflammatory hyperpigmentation worse. On this basis most dermatologists would treat with red light in the 630 nm spectrum. 

Retinoids are better as they address all four causes of acne, namely-

1. Excess oil production
2. Bacteria overgrowth
3. Inflammation
4. Clogged pores

A prescription of trifarotene for example costs $75 & lasts 4-6 months. You can get this from any bulk billing GP. 

Simple washes include salicylic acid 2% wash. This cost $25 & will last over 12 weeks. 

No, it remains as a useful treatment in some cases. What we stand for is ethical marketing. Acne should not be commercialised if-

• Acne is scarring or has the potential to cause scars
• Acne causes social impairment, anxiety, depression & isolation

Dermatologists are mindful of how we employ treatments based upon clinical findings, contraindications & the wishes of the patient. Most of us will try to convince you to use something cheaper & more effective. That says a lot.

Damn right it can. As a “Biophotonic Treatment’ (marketing term), it can be used with other treatments. We strongly disagree with the product information regarding ‘photosensitive’ reactions. Seriously, where does Kleresca source their chemists? 

Most photosensitive medications have their action spectrum in the UVA range, well away from the blue light spectrum. Hence if you are on say, doxycycline, it is all good. 

Discuss the action spectrum of retinoids, oral tetracyclines, amiodarone, fluoroquinolones, photosensitive dermatitis, including PCT, CAD, solar urticaria, & PMLE with your provider. They are sure to know the answer to your questions. 

Hint: Google the answer to test if Kleresca is based on marketing, rather than science.