This LED device helped reduce my acne after a few days of use — here's why it's not just a gimmick

• I struggle with adult acne, and one of the products I use to keep it at bay is Foreo's Espada device, which uses LED light and pulsations to get rid of the bacteria that causes acne.
• It's painless and easy to use. Within a few days of 30-second treatments, I saw my pimples deflate and become less inflamed.
• Shop the Espada at Foreo, Amazon, and Sephora.

Like many kids going through puberty, I first experienced acne as an awkward middle schooler. Unlike many of my peers, it didn't clear up after a few years. Instead, I had severe acne in high school and continued struggling with it on and off until halfway through college. I tried various different products and treatments until I finally found the right combination of solutions for my skin. My skin is mostly clear now, albeit with some scars.

My review of the Foreo Espada treatment is not the story of how the device magically solved the core of those acne woes.

There's no real quick fix for severe acne. Instead, it's how I manage the breakouts that I still occasionally get due to diet, stress, or my period. For every occasional pimple, I'm reminded of the physical and emotional pain I experienced at the height of my acne problems.

I panic at the thought of spiraling back down to the feelings of self-consciousness and low self-confidence, so I gladly welcomed a device that could tame my breakouts without having to get an expensive, inconvenient treatment at a dermatology clinic.

How the Foreo Espada device works

The Foreo Espada is an FDA-approved handheld device that uses blue LED light and T-Sonic pulsations to eliminate acne-causing bacteria. It employs the same 415 nm blue LED light used by dermatologists for professional treatments. It's best suited for mild acne like whiteheads, blackheads, and small pink inflammations called papules, and moderate inflammatory acne, like inflamed sensitive bumps filled with pus. It's 100% waterproof and boasts 240 uses per single charge.

My review of the Foreo Espada

Given my history of trying many different products for my acne, I approached the Espada with a healthy dose of skepticism. When you've had severe acne, you learn to not get too surprised or disappointed when a treatment doesn't work.

After charging the device, I first tested it on a less sensitive area of my body, my inner arm, and waited 24 hours to see if there was any irritation. My arm looked and felt fine the next day, so I was ready to proceed.

The Espada is most effective on clean, dry skin. I used it every night after I got out of the shower. To activate the device, press the button and use the targeting red light to find the exact area you want to zap. As you hold the device to your face, it will vibrate gently for 30 seconds. Don't be nervous about the light or pulsations because the treatment does not hurt at all.

One of the worst things is when I can feel a pimple forming under my skin. "Here we go," I think to myself. I developed one on my chin, and by the look and feel of it, it was actually a few smaller pimples that came together to form a larger one. I resisted the temptation to squeeze it (even after many years, the temptation is never easier to combat) and spent a couple days patiently using the Espada on the area.

Each treatment lasts for 30 seconds, and the vibration stops automatically to let you know when the treatment is done. I usually moved around my face, returning to larger or deeper pimples for repeated treatments. After just two days of treatments, my chin pimple was noticeably deflated and less inflamed. Ordinarily, it would've taken about two weeks for it to reach peak inflammation and slowly go back down without me squeezing or bothering it. More realistically, I would've squeezed it out of impatience, likely forcing the acne bacteria even deeper into my skin and leaving a scar.

Now, I was able to combat that acne bacteria with a quick treatment that barely cut into my nighttime routine. There was no intricate setup required, and it was easy to wash with soap afterwards and throw it into the provided soft pouch. Sometimes I did experience a slight redness in the area treated, but that usually faded in the next half hour. According to Foreo, slight redness or discoloration may last up to 24 hours, since everyone's skin is a little different.

That everyone's skin is different is important to note. Many factors, including genetics, stress, diet, and hormonal imbalances, can cause and worsen acne. The Espada may work differently on your acne than it did on mine, but it does ultimately treat one of the biggest factors, bacteria.

The bottom line

The Foreo Espada is an acne treatment device I'm going to keep because it's easy to use, comes at a fraction of the cost of a dermatologist's visit, and actually works. I'm happy to have found something that can help me achieve clear skin for good.