This post is sponsored by the brand, but the opinions I share are unbiased. Read the review disclosure for more information.
As you may know by now, beauty devices have always intrigued me. I find it fascinating that these tools can help with wrinkles, fine lines, scars, toning, etc. And now acne?! Yup, you’ve heard that right. The CurrentBody Acne Pen was recently launched, and as the name suggests, it is to treat blemishes.
Thanks to CurrentBody, I got the chance to try this new, innovative beauty device on my blemishes to see if this Acne Pen is an actual hit or a miss. I have been testing this for a little over a month now; every time a blemish popped up, I grabbed the Acne Pen! But did it work? Let me share my experience!
About My Skin
I have a normal to dry skin type that’s a tiny bit sensitive, especially around the eyes. I experience blemishes every now and then – I don’t have (severe) acne, which is important to keep in mind.
Just for some background information, my biggest skin concerns are dryness, milia, and dark circles. I have a few fine lines, but nothing too much since I’m still in my twenties (I’m approaching my thirties, though).
About The Acne Pen
CurrentBody, well-known for its world-leading LED Light Therapy Face Mask, just launched the Anti-Acne LED Pen ($79). It uses the proven power of red and blue LED light to treat spots (active acne) in just three minutes.
I can imagine that you’re not that familiar with the meaning of red and blue LED light and what it does, so here’s an explanation:
- Blue LED light (415NM) is the spot fighter: Blue LED light is your go-to for spot clearing. Blue light kills spot-causing bacteria (p.acnes) within the skin, leaving you with a clear, confident complexion.
- Red LED light (633NM) is for a radiant recovery: Red LED light works its magic deep under the skin to fight redness and calm inflammation.
After doing my own research on blue and red LED light, I found several studies that back up these claims. First of all, light-based therapy is safe, effective, and associated with no or minimal complications when used appropriately[1].
There is evidence[2] that blue light therapy can help treat acne or prevent an outbreak[3]. However, it has not yet been confirmed that it is, for example, better than topical retinoids and other treatments. However, a study that tested LED home devices shared that 53% of subjects found blue light treatment to be much gentler than conventional acne treatment[1].
When it comes to red light therapy, according to a 2018 review of research, many studies suggest promising results. Red light therapy doesn’t have the same antibacterial effects as blue light therapy, but it can still be effective. Red light therapy helps promote healing, may work to decrease the visibility of acne scarring, and has anti-inflammatory capabilities[4].
This makes LED therapy a great option if you want to treat acne without it being too harsh on your skin. Like I said, it is actually safe to use. It is free from UV rays, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), there is no evidence that it increases the risk of skin cancer or skin aging[5].
Potential Side Effects
Even though both blue and red light therapy are safe, there’s still a small chance that you’ll experience side effects. Just be sure to test the CurrentBody Acne Pen on your arm before you use it on your face. If you experience redness, bruising, skin peeling, mild pain, or irritation, it’s best to stop using the device.
Some people should avoid light therapy for acne. If you’re currently taking antibiotics or if you’re extremely sensitive to sunlight, you might not be the best candidate.
How To Apply
- Step 1: Ensure your skin is clean and dry;
- Step 2: Apply the device to the area you wish to treat and hold for 3 minutes; the device will beep to signal you can move to the next area (the pen will automatically turn off after 15
minutes); - Step 3: After treatment, wipe clean and place the device in its storage bag.
For best results it is recommended to use the Acne Pen 3-5 times a week for a minimum of 6 weeks.
After treatment, immediately apply the skincare of your choice. Please check below if the pen can fit into your skincare routine:
The Results: CurrentBody Acne Pen Review
Now that we know that the CurrentBody Acne Pen is safe to use and studies back up the claims, we obviously want to know if this device actually works. I’ve put it to the test, and here is what I experienced.
Ease Of Use
The Acne Pen is super easy to use. You just press the button, and it’ll turn on, ready to be put in the to-be-treated spot. After 3 minutes, it’ll beep so you know you can move on to another area or turn the device off. It’s that easy and quick – we love!
After using the device, you clean it off and put it back in the little bag for the next time. Besides being easy to use, it’s also easy to store as the device is small and even travel-friendly.
If I had to give one con, and this is really digging for a “bad thing,” it is that you can’t lie down/sit/walk without having one of your hands holding the device. CurrentBody has tools like the LED Face Mask and the LED Eye Perfector that you can put on and sit/lie down with without any “effort” on your part. I don’t mind this, to be honest, but you know, I’m just mentioning it as this might be a problem for others.
The Performance
I never thought I would hope for a few pimples to pop up, but here we are, haha. Thankfully, at least for testing purposes, I had a few spots here and there over the course of a month. The day I received the device, I had a little whitehead. Without expecting too much, I put the device on it, only for the pimple to be gone the next day. I was like, “What just happened?” and I didn’t even take pictures. Ugh!
I still have more before-and-after photos to share with you below, so no worries. But to just go over my personal experience with the device, it surprisingly works really well and quite quickly, too.
Usually, when I use a spot treatment, it takes days of application before I see any change. With the Acne Pen, I saw a difference in redness the day after the treatment. Some of my smaller pimples were already gone after one treatment; others took 2-3 treatments. Like I already said, I don’t have severe acne, so I can’t fully promise you that it’ll work as well as it worked for my pimples.
If I had severe acne, I would definitely give the Red & Blue LED Light Therapy Face Mask for Acne by CurrentBody a try. It’s basically the same as the Acne Pen, but the Face Mask covers the whole face. This is easier if you have multiple spots/larger areas to target.
Both the Face Mask and the Acne Pen are worth checking out. My reasons for this are that it doesn’t hurt; it is safe and, above all, gentle on the skin compared to topical acne treatments like retinoids and BHA, which oftentimes can be quite harsh for the skin.
Obviously, the biggest reason that the Acne Pen (or the Acne Face Mask) is worth a try is that research, as well as my personal experience, showcases that a tool like this actually works. Below are some photos to share the results.
CurrentBody Acne Pen Before And After
As you can see in the left photo, I had a pimple coming through—it wasn’t that red yet, but you can clearly see it already. I immediately used the CurrentBody Acne Pen to treat it, went to bed, and took the right photo when I woke up. Pimple gone!
The Value
Overall, I know the CurrentBody Acne Pen might not be overly affordable. But it’s a one-time investment of $79 that will last you a few years if you’re careful with your device and properly storing it.
In addition, if you use skincare products to tackle acne, you are probably spending a little less or close to the same amount of money (if not more, depending on the brand) on products every 3-6 months, depending on the size of the products. Eventually, that will be more expensive!
I really think that $79 is not that much for what you get in return: an easy-to-use, one-time investment for years, safe and gentle device that will combat active acne without ruining the skin barrier.
If you are blessed with blemish-free skin or, like me, have a pimple every now and then, this Acne Pen might not be worth it. However, I would recommend doing the math for yourself. If you purchase a spot treatment every now and then (the average price is ~ $20), you may even be saving money with the Acne Pen in the end.
Final Verdict: Is The CurrentBody Acne Pen Worth It?
- A small, lightweight, easy-to-use device
- Safe and gentle on the skin
- It is effectively treating active acne
- Nothing, really.
After using the CurrentBody Acne Pen on my skin, I realized that it is a really convenient device that is effective and not that expensive. Sure, it is more expensive than your average spot treatment, but if you have to purchase that treatment 3-4 times per year, you have already made back the investment you have to make to get the Acne Pen.
The Acne Pen is easy, safe, and effective – I like a tiny product that gives big results.
Use my code SIMONEPEN to get free delivery!
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CURRENTBODY SKIN
Anti-Acne LED Pen
Specifications
| PRODUCT NAME | Anti-Acne LED Pen |
| PRODUCT BRAND | CurrentBody |
| PRICE | $79 |
| WEIGHT | 20g |
| FULL SPECS LIST | Dimensions: W 80mm x L 30mm x H 30mm Wavelengths: Red (633nm), blue (415nm) Power Source: Lithium Ion Battery Power Density: 30 mW/cm² Number of LED’s: 3 double LED diodes; 3 red (633nm) diodes and 3 blue (415nm) diodes |
