Being a computer geek -- especially a lover of all things Apple -- I'm acutely aware of the great and sometimes ridiculous lengths Steve Jobs and his Cupertino crew take to protect their brand, namely actions that often generate the kind of irresistible buzz that make people want to empty their pockets to buy their products, if not shake their heads in abject wonder. Even in my dual identity as an Apple "true believer" and a health blogger, I'm a bit surprised and somewhat skeptical to learn that my iPhone may be able to treat acne via an application called, rather inelegantly, the AcneApp.

For $1.99 too.

The use of light therapy to treat acne is nothing new, medical experts say, although the results have been inconsistent. Yet these same experts are quick to point out the light emitted from an iPhone screen isn't nearly as intense as the kind generated in a doctor's office (that requires a patient to protect his or her eyes) to do much good. There's been talk of clinical studies to be conducted at Houston's Baylor College of Medicine too, but no action so far. Because I'm a firm believer in the slightly revised adage, "seeing is believing -- or not," watch this YouTube video and judge for yourself...

ABC News February 9, 2010

WebMD February 12, 2010

New York Times December 30, 2009