This week the Federal Trade Commission made an unprecedented move to remove two medical apps from the Apple AppStore and Android Market on grounds that they made unsubstantiated efficacy claims. The apps both offered "light therapy" to treat a user's acne. Both developers were ordered to pay back the monies they made by selling the apps to consumers.
While app stores have offered a number of apps just like AcneApps and Acne Pwner over the years, there are currently only five such apps available for download.
We wonder why these apps have not been removed from the Apple AppStore considering their offerings are similar to the offending apps mentioned above. Of the five, only one is a free app -- which may explain why it has been left untouched.
Given the action it took against the developers of AcneApp and AcnePwner, here are five apps that in our opinion the FTC is likely to remove from the Apple AppStore. I'd be curious to hear if anyone thinks one or more of these apps don't belong on this list and why.
M&R's SkinApp. Description: "How to Use 1. Choose a light from the “Lights” tab. 2. Put the light screen at least 1cm from your skin for at least 3 minutes for each treatment. 3. To increase the relaxation effect, you may turn on iPod and listen to your favorite music during the treatment." Like many of the apps listed here, SkinApp claims that it is "created for entertainment purposes only" and "not inten[d]ed for any medical purpose or to replace any treatment." One of the apps that the FTC removed, however, also had a similar disclaimer.
LOL Software's Acne Away. Description: "Please do not use this application if you are currently taking medications that make your skin sensitive to light or if you have any medical condition that makes your skin sensitive to light. If any problems develop please discontinue use immediately." Acne Away is the oldest acne light therapy app still available in the AppStore today. It used to offer a free version as recently as this past July that was supported by iAds, but that is no longer available.
LightRx's ZITzapp. Description: ZITzapp points to three different studies as evidence of its efficacy. "Several dermatology studies in the past few years have now demonstrated that blue-violet and red light are quite effective in helping those affected with mild to moderate acne. Some sample papers are cited here: 1.British Journal of Dermatology. 2000, 142:973-978 2.Journal of Dermatological Science. 2002, 30:129-135 3.British Journal of Dermatology. 2009, 160(6): 1273-1285." Unlike the other apps, ZITzapp offers a more personalized therapy based on your age and acne severity.
Luke Campbell's Light Therapy. Description: Light Therapy offers up a number of use case besides acne treatment. Cleansing, healing, and energy are also on the menu. Part of the disclaimer: "The statements made in this app's description have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Light Therapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
FunVid's Acne Light Waves. Description: Of the five currently available acne light therapy treatment apps, Acne Light Waves is the most expensive at $1.99. Like the others if has its own disclaimer: "This application has not been evaluated by the FDA. This application is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended for the cure or treatment of any disease or medical condition." The description for this one is a little less direct, however: "Studies have shown that red and blue light treatments effectively eliminated certain acne causing bacteria and significantly reduced skin blemishes. Acne Light Waves delivers direct and controlled red and blue light waves to you via your iPhone or iPod Touch." No specific promise that this app is as effective as the light therapies used in the referenced studies.
Back to our coverage of the FTC's action to remove two acne treatment apps from Apple AppStore and the Android Market.
