Hi, babes! Emma here, and today's topic will be focused on blue light treatments, what they do and how effective they are. I'm sure you're aware of it, but I'm here to provide the info in a concise manner for you, as per usual.
If you’re a seasoned reader on my blog, you know there are a lot of dermatology procedures and treatments out there. One treatment in particular that's been gaining in popularity is blue light therapy, which is different from the protective sprays many people use for screen exposure so instead of blocking it, this procedure takes advantage of the best properties of blue light.
Dermatologists often use blue light on its own to treat acne, but it also can work alongside a broader, more complex therapy regimen to treat precancerous, sun-damaged skin. But how well does blue light treatment for sun damage actually work, and what should you know before considering it for yourself? Then read on.
What Is Blue Light Therapy?
Blue light is a specific wavelength of light that's part of the visible light spectrum—yes, the very same light spectrum we’ve learnt about in science class back in the day. But more than just its visibility, blue light actually has effects that experts have come to discover benefit skin in certain ways.
It can be used therapeutically during in-office treatments for acne to kill acne-causing bacteria, which is how it is most commonly used. Additionally, when blue light therapy is combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT), it can be used to remove precancerous, damaged cells. I’ll explain both a little further down.
What are the benefits?
Blue light therapy can be used in a couple of different ways to treat skin conditions. Both are in-office treatments performed by many dermatologists, but there’s also some at-home treatments you might want to try.
As an acne treatment
In a dermatologist's office, blue light therapy can be used to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin. It’s a widely approved treatment for acne vulgaris. The bacteria associated with acne produces compounds called porphyrins in the bacterial cell and the blue light targets when exposed to blue LED, these porphyrins are photosensitized to produce oxygen, which kills the anaerobic bacteria.
Foreo has a blue light pen designed to treat bacterial acne if this is something you believe you could benefit from (pictured above).
To treat damaged skin
When combined with photodynamic therapy, blue light therapy can help to remove precancerous, sun-damaged areas of skin called actinic keratoses. These areas of skin often appear as scaly, red patches that may later turn into skin cancer. The treatment involves applying a medication called a photosensitizing agent to the skin, letting it soak in for up to two hours, then shining blue light on the skin. The blue light therapy works by killing and destroying the atypical, precancerous skin cells that have absorbed the photosensitizing agent. The damaged skin may later flake off.
How effective is it for treating sun damage?
Blue light therapy alone isn't used to treat sun damage, but when combined with another form of treatment called photodynamic therapy, it can be used to get rid of precancerous, damaged skin cells, according to experts. In short, this means blue light treatment for sun damage does have the potential to be effective, but you should always talk to your dermatologist about what plan would be most helpful for your specific situation and needs. I've included a before and after pic above, taken from LookFantastic.
As an acne treatment, blue light therapy is pretty simple and doesn't carry many side effects, dermatologists say. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you're considering treatment. The first is that people who take medication that increases light sensitivity may be more sensitive to blue light treatments. Additionally, people who regularly use retinol or other retinoid products may be more sensitive to all forms of light, including blue light therapy. It's important to note that people should stop any light-sensitising medications one week before any in-office treatments.
When blue light therapy is combined with photodynamic therapy to treat damaged skin, more side effects are likely to occur, the most notable being severe skin sensitivity that can last for about two days after treatment. Damaged skin may turn red and look like it's peeling or flaking for anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks. This is a much more intense form of treatment and not considered a basic blue light therapy.
What can you expect from blue light therapy?
When used to treat acne, each blue light therapy session usually takes somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes. The treatment is painless with no downtime afterwards. Your skin will not be visibly red, warm, or irritated after treatment. Multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve the best possible results.
Blue light treatments for sun damage can vary in duration depending on a number of factors, including the size of the area being treated. The blue light may be applied for anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes.
Before you go...
Blue light treatment can be useful for sun damage, but only when used in combination with another form of treatment called photodynamic therapy. On its own, however, blue light therapy can help treat acne. For both uses, multiple treatments may be necessary. Before trying blue light therapy - whether for sun damage or for acne - it's a good idea to speak with a dermatologist to learn more about the treatments and whether they make sense for you.
Cheers for reading, babes.
Love,
Emma
xoxo
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