Purpose and uses of blue light therapy
- Sun damage and skin cancer prevention. Blue light therapy is most commonly used to treat sun damage and premalignant or malignant skin cancer growths.
- Acne and skincare. Blue light therapy can also treat other types of skin disorders. It can be used to improve skin texture and reduce sebaceous hyperplasia, or enlarged oil glands.
- Depression. In addition to treating skin conditions and cancer, blue light therapy can also be used as a treatment for depression.
What to expect during blue light treatment?
What to Expect during Blue Light Therapy
- Preparation. Blue Light therapy by itself requires no specific preparation. ...
- The Procedure. Each treatment session lasts anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. ...
- Side Effects and Recovery. Blue Light therapy requires no down time. ...
- Results and Maintenance. After the treatment, you may notice fewer breakouts. ...
What is the best blue light therapy?
- Skincare
- Athletic recovery
- Pain relief, joint health, wound healing
- Athletic Performance
- Mental Clarity
- Relaxation and Sleep Some devices are made specifically for some of the benefits mentioned above. ...
- Skincare
- Muscle Recovery
- Pain Relief (joint pain, arthritis, wound healing, and more)
- Athletic Performance
What are the side effects of blue light treatment?
- Irritation: After treatment, your skin will probably be red and may feel slightly burned, like a sunburn. ...
- Sun sensitivity: Your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight for two or three days, so skip the beach and rock your biggest hat. ...
- Peeling: Over the next week or so, the treated areas will flake or crust over, then peel away. ...
What is the best LED light for face?
Top 12 LED Light Therapy Mask
- Pretty LED Beauty Mask. The Pretty LED Beauty Mask offers red, blue, green, cyan, yellow, purple, and white-mix colors to address various skin issues.
- Dermashine Pro 7 Color LED Mask for Face. This light therapy face mask claims to give you spa-like results in the comfort of your home. ...
- Newkey 7 Color LED Light Therapy. ...
- Project E Beauty LED Face Mask. ...
What does blue light therapy do for your face?
Acne and skincare Blue light therapy can also treat other types of skin disorders. It can be used to improve skin texture and reduce sebaceous hyperplasia, or enlarged oil glands. It can help with removing sun spots, acne, and even scars that were originally caused by acne.
Is blue light good for your face?
Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. These speed up the aging process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes.
How long does it take to heal from blue light therapy?
It usually takes about two to six weeks to fully heal after PDT, depending on the area of your body that's being treated.
How long should you use blue light therapy on your face?
You should use your blue light therapy acne treatment device for three minutes per treatment area. Once the three minutes has passed, you can move onto the next treatment area if needed.
Is blue light therapy good for wrinkles?
BLUE LIGHT THERAPY Blue light activates chemicals inside these bacteria, which ruptures their outer walls– destroying the cell and their ability to form acne and other imperfections. Rosacea, psoriasis, wrinkles and sun damage are all ideal candidates for Blue Light Therapy treatments.
Does blue light therapy remove age spots?
As the light is targeted over the affected areas, tiny capillaries and any pigmented surfaces on the skin will be absorbed or evaporated as they are heated. This treatment can help get rid of unwanted freckles, age spots and hyperpigmentation.
How much is a blue light treatment?
Cost and insurance According to one source, blue light therapy for acne can cost from $40 per session to $1,000–1,500 for a full package, with several weekly sessions. Most people will need weekly sessions for several weeks, but this will depend on the severity of symptoms and how well the acne responds to therapy.
How do I take care of my skin after photodynamic therapy?
Shower and wash the area immediately and as often as needed. Gently wash the area with soap and water two to three times a day, and apply Aquaphor or Vaseline to the area. Avoidance of harsh or abrasive cleansers is advised. Picking or scrubbing the skin could cause severe irritation or scarring.
Does blue light damage your skin?
Blue light is also known to penetrate the skin deeper, damaging essential proteins and resulting in wrinkles and loss of firmness. “Blue light contributes to premature aging, pigmentation, eye damage, cataracts, cell shrinkage, wrinkles and photo damage,” adds Dr.
Does light therapy work for wrinkles?
Research shows that red and infrared light therapy can significantly improve skin complexion, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and increase collagen density.
Do blue light treatments work at home?
The wavelength of blue light has an antimicrobial effect, making it effective at killing several types of bacteria that can collect in your pores and oil glands and cause breakouts. In one study, people with acne who were treated for five weeks with blue light therapy saw improvement in 77 percent of cases .
What is the blue light that dermatologists use?
Blue light treatment for skin cancer Blue light treatment is most often used as part of a treatment called photodynamic therapy. This therapy can treat some kinds of skin cancer and precancerous spots known as actinic keratoses. These reddish, scaly patches are caused by severe sun damage.
What is blue light therapy?
Blue light therapy uses light to treat certain conditions on or just under the skin. It’s considered a pain-free procedure. Blue light therapy becomes photodynamic therapy when it uses a combination of photosynthesizing (or light-sensitive) drugs and a high-intensity light source to activate them. The light used is a natural violet ...
How many treatments does blue light therapy have?
To treat a condition, it takes: one to four treatments for actinic keratosis (precancerous sun spots), with annual maintenance.
What is photodynamic therapy?
Photodynamic therapy can be used to treat skin cancer. It causes the photosynthesizing drug that’s been applied to the skin to react with oxygen, killing the cancer cells. It may also be used to trigger an immune system defense or damage the blood vessels feeding the cancer cells.
How long does it take to get light therapy?
Treatment sessions can be anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes long, depending on the area being treated, how large it is, and if a topical medication has been applied.
Can you get blue light therapy if you have a blister?
The biggest risk is for a potential skin infection if any post-treatment blisters occur and are popped or not cared for. You shouldn’t have blue light therapy if you have a rare condition called porphyria, which is a disorder of the blood that leads to heightened light sensitivity, or if you have allergies to porphyrins.
Is blue light therapy good for cancer?
Depression. In addition to treating skin conditions and cancer, blue light therapy can also be used as a treatment for depression. It’s especially effective when treating major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns, formerly known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Can you use photodynamics for lupus?
You also shouldn’t use this therapy if you have lupus. Photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment, however, may come with more potential risks and complications depending on the area of treatment. Swelling in the area of treatment, for example, can cause trouble breathing.
What is blue light therapy?
Blue light therapy is an FDA approved in-office treatment for Actinic Keratoses (precancerous lesions). Insurances typically cover the full cost of the treatment, but this varies by insurance. During the treatment, we apply a topical photosensitizing drug to the skin. This medication is absorbed preferentially by the precancerous skin cells within ...
Why do people hate blue light therapy?
Some patients love it because it treats their precancerous lesions effectively and quickly. Others hate it because it can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. Good news for the haters—there’s a new technique in phototherapy that can reduce the pain of the treatment dramatically. Read on for more information about Blue light therapy ...
What is the best treatment for precancerous lesions?
June 24th, 2020. One of my favorite treatments for precancerous lesions, called Actinic Keratoses, is Blue light Phototherapy. Many of my patients who have tried Blue Light Therapy have a strong opinion about it. It is a bit like licorice in that way—you either love it or hate it.
How long did you sit under blue light?
Also, instead of the 17 minutes of light exposure, patients sat underneath the blue light for about 30 minutes. These two small tweaks decreased the average pain score from a four to a one; and, believe it or not, there was no change in the effectiveness of the treatment!
Can you get blue light therapy for actinic keratoses?
Blue Light Therapy is a great option for anyone with multiple actinic keratoses on the face, scalp, or ears. Speak to one of our board-certified dermatologists at your next full body skin check to get the process started. We will need to get insurance prior-authorization before scheduling your Blue Light treatment.
What Is Blue Light Therapy?
Blue light therapy is a form of phototherapy that harnesses natural violet or blue light to treat conditions on or just underneath the skin. This type of light therapy can even become photodynamic when blue light is used to activate a light-sensitive drug used to address a specific condition or problem.
The Healing Powers of Blue Light Therapy
Clinical research suggests that blue light therapy is capable of healing and improving a number of conditions, including acne, skin cancer, fatigue and Parkinson’s disease.
Does Blue Light Therapy Have Side Effects?
Blue light therapy is generally safe, but it’s important to consider the potential side effects of blue light used in photodynamic treatment.
The Best Blue Light Therapy Products Available
Your dermatologist is the best person to perform professional photodynamic blue light therapy procedures, but you can also purchase products that allow you to enjoy the best of regular blue light therapy from the comfort of your couch.
What is blue light therapy?
What Does Blue Light Therapy Work for? Photodynamic therapy is used by oncologists, cosmetic surgeons, optometrists, and dermatologists. It’s especially helpful at treating multiple types of cancer, especially those with tumors or growths that lie close to the skin’s surface.
How long does it take for blue light to fade?
Overall, Hu says, blue light therapy “is safe and well tolerated.” Most patients experience a temporary sensitivity to light following their treatment; however, this will fade within about six weeks.
What is the effect of blue light on oxidative stress?
According to Loknath Chen, Associate Professor, Biotechnology Department, Mingchuan University, Taiwan, “Visible blue light irradiation triggers the natural photosensitizer molecules (curcumin or Flavin derivatives) to produce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) to increase the oxidative stress at local zone in a sort time.”.
How long does photonizing agent stay on skin?
Depending on the drug, light, and condition, the photosensitizing agent may be left on the skin (or in the bloodstream) for anywhere from a few hours to a few days before it’s properly absorbed. 2.
How long does photosensitivity last?
This can last anywhere between 24 and 72 hours. Therefore, it’s important to wear proper sun protection (e.g., a hat, long sleeves, sunglasses, and sunblock).
Does blue light therapy help with jaundice?
Jaundice. Chinese researchers found that combining blue light therapy with a probiotic product known as bifico can significantly improve jaundice in babies and speed their recovery. Non-melanoma skin cancer. Psoriasis. Rickettsia. A bacterial infection transmitted through the bites of lice, mites, fleas, and ticks.
Can you use blue light therapy twice a day for candida?
A study published in the journal Lasers in Medical Science found that combining red light therapy with blue light therapy twice a day can successfully control candida). Chemotherapy side effects.
How long does it take for blue light to work on acne?
It’s also been used to treat mild to moderate acne. A study found blue light lowered the number of blackheads, whiteheads, and other acne after 7 days of treatment.
What is blue light?
Blue light is also part of photodynamic therapy. It’s a treatment that uses certain kinds of light to activate a class of drugs -- called photosensitizing agents -- to kill cancer cells. It can be as effective as surgery and radiation in treating certain kinds of cancers.
What light bulbs give off blue light?
Fluorescent and LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs also give off blue light. And just like ultraviolet, or UV, rays, which are linked to skin damage, it can affect your skin.
Can blue light cause pigmentation?
Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation. One study linked blue light exposure to more swelling, redness, and pigment changes in people with darker skin.
Does blue light help with psoriasis?
Although it can negatively impact your skin when used in certain ways, blue light also has healing properties. In one study, a blue light device was used to treat a patch of psoriasis in people with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. This was done for 4 weeks and helped ease redness and shrink the patch’s size.
How long is a blue light treatment?
One treatment cycle consists of 2 blue light treatments separated by 4-8 weeks. To get the maximum benefit, both treatments must be completed.
How long does it take for a blue light to activate precancerous cells?
· A blue light will be shined on the treatment area for about 17 minutes which will activate the medication. You will be given eye protection to wear during the light treatment.
How to keep your face moist?
Use a clean towel to pat skin dry and avoid rubbing the area. Then apply a moisturizer (such as Cetaphil, Cerave, Lubriderm, Aquaphor, or Vaseline) to the area to keep the skin moist. o Storing your moisturizer in the refrigerator can increase the cooling effect.
What Is Light Therapy?
Light therapy (also known as LED therapy or phototherapy) is a safe, effective treatment for skin and skin rejuvenation. Light therapy is also an effective and noninvasive treatment for skin conditions like acne, cold sores, canker sores, and genital sores.
How Does Light Therapy Work for Skin?
How does light therapy work for skin health and rejuvenation? And which wavelengths and colors are used for light therapy skin benefits? Most light therapy devices used for skincare shine blue light, red light, or a combination of both.
Benefits of Light Therapy for Skin
Treatment with an at-home light therapy device takes a matter of minutes. With regular use, light therapy can help rejuvenate skin and treat skin conditions.
What Skin Conditions Can Light Therapy Help Heal?
Light therapy treatments with red and/or blue wavelengths are widely used to treat acne, cold sores, canker sores, genital sores, burns, wounds, and scars.
Light Therapy for Eczema and Psoriasis
Eczema refers to a variety of skin-related conditions, while psoriasis is a separate and complex autoimmune disease. These conditions are often grouped together because both cause inflamed, itchy skin that’s difficult to treat.
Light Therapy Skin Products: LED Masks for Skin Rejuvenation and Beauty
Some light therapy skincare products are designed to treat specific skin conditions like cold sores or acne, while others are designed to be a part of your daily skincare routine for general enhancements to beauty and complexion.
LED Light Therapy Products for Skin Conditions
For specific skin conditions like acne and cold sores, you can use certain specialty LED devices at home every day to minimize symptoms and prevent outbreaks.
What happens if you use blue light therapy?
So far, scientists have discovered the greatest risk of using Blue Light Therapy is damage to the retina. When Blue Light is absorbed by retinal tissue, it induces oxidative stress and the resulting debris accumulates in the retina over a lifetime, contributing to AMD or age-related macular degeneration. AMD eventually results in vision loss, and in extreme cases, blindness. Photoretinitis, or light-induced photochemical damage to the eye, is supposedly related to “Blue Light Hazard,” wherein it is suggested that Blue Light Therapy dramatically raises the risk of light-induced retinal damage. However, individual susceptibility is highly variable.
What hormones are activated by blue light therapy?
Blue Light Therapy can activate the production of reproductive hormones, such as testosterone and estradiol.
What light is used to kill acne?
Scientists, in turn, were to isolate which parts of the light spectrum triggered the chemical reaction responsible for breaking down acne bacteria. They found that visible violet light, not UV light, was what actually killed the bacteria, and thus “Blue Light Therapy” was born.
Does blue light therapy work?
As with most modern medical procedures, Blue Light Therapy has potential risks and side effects of which patients should be aware before they choose to follow through with the process. For many years, it was assumed that direct exposure to sunlight helped to diminish the effects of acne. As more and more research on Ultra Violet rays surfaced, it was discovered that exposure to the sun could, in fact, do as much damage as good in many cases. Scientists, in turn, were to isolate which parts of the light spectrum triggered the chemical reaction responsible for breaking down acne bacteria. They found that visible violet light, not UV light, was what actually killed the bacteria, and thus “Blue Light Therapy” was born.
Can blue light therapy cause glaucoma?
Blue Light Therapy, or any light therapy, is not recommended for patients who suffer from glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment or retinopathy. Very infrequently, a patient will find that light therapy will make them overactive, restless and irritable, causing difficulty in sleeping.
Can light therapy be used for side effects?
Since there are some mild side effects, it is recommended that patients always undergo light therapy treatment under the care and supervision of a physician rather than attempting to self-medicate.
Can light therapy cause porphyria?
Also, patients with porphyria should avoid all forms of light therapy. Certain drugs, such as methotrexate or chloroquine, can cause porphyria when used with light therapy. Patients who have eye or skin conditions that are affected by bright light should also take great caution with Blue Light Therapy. Blue Light Therapy, or any light therapy, is ...
