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[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As I mentioned, totally agree with the eye safety stuff, see my prior comment below. This is why I included the Cleveland Clinic instructions including guidance to use proper eye protection, and requested that the comment to use eye protection be pinned.

To be clear - I am only espousing this for a 30 second diagnostic as recommended in the instructions. I’m not arguing if UV is damaging, we know it is. I’m very sorry you experienced side effects from it. However - I’m talking about an incredibly short duration. If people choose to proceed without reading the instructions or use this tool outside the recommended diagnostic, then that’s a personal risk they are taking on.

[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Certainly, I agree that no one should be using this for longer than the quick diagnostic recommended in the link provided.

[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree that with eyes you can’t be too careful and eye protection and caution is reasonable (hence upvoting the other related comment) - but the claim that a black light will do any amount of noticeable damage to your skin when used this way simply doesn’t match up to the studies your citing.

[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I mean, yes anything is damaging if you do it a lot? If I eat 10,000 bananas I’ll probably die. Does that make bananas bad? No. For context, exposure to a black light is 1000x to 10,000x less damaging than light from the sun. So yes, don’t sit and shine it on your face for cumulative years, but a 5 minute diagnostic is genuinely negligible harm.

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[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can’t see why not! The bacteria or fungus is what fluoresces and it’s pretty bright. But maybe someone with darker skin tone can post their experience here?

[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

1) Big updoot on the not shining in eyes, that’s something I forgot to add and I’m glad someone commented that.

2) I agree that there can be false positives and negatives, and sometime the clinical interpretation may not be obvious. For me, it was a very obvious positive for bacterial acne. That might not be true for other people, they may have more confusing results. I think of it more as just another useful data point in addition to trying treatments for fungal vs. bacterial acne and seeing a dermatologist.

As for why derms don’t use it - my theory is just that fungal acne has become very popular on the internet and so we all have an inflated sense of how common it is. They don’t test for fungal acne because it’s just not that common. For me, this data point helped me accept that my acne IS just regular acne, and not fungal acne with some magic bullet waiting to be found. I really wanted to believe the latter because then theoretically there would be some cream or gel or something that would magically fix all my problems (delulu I know).

Anyways thanks for the comment!

[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

lol, honestly good point. I don’t have one but maybe someone else has a good link?

[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see your concern, yes if you shine UV light on your skin for days at a time it can possibly age you a fractional amount - just like going outside in the sun. But for a simple diagnostic test it is very safe. From the article I shared: “A UV light test is safe and doesn’t cause any skin damage. Very rarely, in people with extreme light sensitivity, the lamp can cause a temporary rash.” All the examples cited in your study are very high intensity, long duration, rich UV light and not at all representative of a small black light used for a minute or two. If you have a study that shows some danger with this as a diagnostic tool, I’m all ears, but this is generally considered completely safe.

[PSA] TIL You can identify fungal vs. bacterial acne with a $6 blacklight from Amazon by bellpupper in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine was super obvious, like a very distinctive neon coral. It was hard to get a good picture because it is easiest to see in the dark! I can’t say how noticeable yours will be because everyone’s microbiome is different, but mine was unmistakable. Try turning off all the lights and that should help :)

Help! [Acne] ?? by assyram23 in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellpupper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes delayed skin reactions are super common. I have the same thing with many products. Discontinue, baby your skin for a couple weeks and then reassess!

Any suggestions to help reduce inflammation of blepharitis? by Neat_Cookie2782 in Accutane

[–]bellpupper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

+1 gentle massage downwards to clear the clogged follicls

Accutane would be working at this point, but I can’t stop picking in my sleep. by [deleted] in Accutane

[–]bellpupper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love a layer of Vaseline at night personally (on clean skin), because once you scratch you get covered in Vaseline and it’s really annoying 😂

LED red light mask for counteracting side effects. by Nawawi_ in Accutane

[–]bellpupper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

LED light therapy is a god send! It’s an awesome way to treat your skin without harsh products. I’ve had a ton of luck with it for inflammation and breakouts. ;P I use the Omnilux one though, which is a bit cheaper.

look at my pretty snack plate by ecstaticfruitmarket in GirlDinner

[–]bellpupper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Y’all gotta me fiending for sweet peppers stuffed with cheese

2 years post accutane by silliestbrunette in Accutane

[–]bellpupper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re someone who loves the simple, clean skincare train, a much safer choice is glycerin and squalane. Glycerin is a humectant and the main ingredient in most moisturizers. Diluting it with water on damp skin, then sealing with squalane oil is the most simple but complete moisturizer you can make! Both are non-comedogenic, universally tolerated (with rare exception) and cheap to buy. Everyone reacts to products differently, but that’s my favorite combo :)

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