Blue Light Therapy, also known as photodynamic therapy, is a medical treatment that can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. In the dermatology field, Blue Light therapy can be used to treat pre-cancerous skin cells, sun damage, acne, improvement of wrinkles and oily skin, rosacea and psoriasis. During Blue Light therapy a photosensitizing drug (a drug that only becomes active when it is exposed to a specific wave of light) is applied to the the patient's face. This drug may be applied to the skin 30 minutes or up to several days before the treatment begins. The Blue Light is then applied to the patient's face, beginning with several seconds or up to one minute. It may take several sessions of Blue Light therapy to achieve the desired result.
Darker Skin Tone
Patients with a darker skin tone may not respond favorably to Blue Light therapy. Some patients have noted a darkening or discoloration of the skin after Blue Light. If a patient with a dark skin tone has ever experienced a change in skin color after undergoing light or laser therapy, they may want to seek a different type of treatment for their skin.
Sensitivity to Light
If a patient has ever experienced any sensitivity to light they may not be the right candidate for Blue Light therapy. Someone that burns easily or is on any medication that can make them sensitive to the sun should discuss this thoroughly with their doctor. It is required that the patient avoid sun exposure for 24 to 48 after Blue Light therapy. Patients who can't follow this recommendation should seek advice from their doctor.
