Other terms
- Bone Marrow Aspiration
- Botox
- Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)
- Bullae
- Bullous Pemphigoid
- Calluses
- Cancer
- Cancer Vaccines
- Candidiasis
- Capsule Endoscopy
- CAR T-Cell Therapy
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser Resurfacing
Blue Light Therapy
What is Blue Light Therapy? Blue light therapy is a procedure that utilizes violet or blue light to treat various conditions affecting the skin or just beneath its surface. It is an alternative treatment option, and the light source can sometimes be combined with photosynthesizing drugs, morphing into photodynamic therapy to activate these medications and enhance the therapy’s efficacy.
Applications
Blue light therapy is utilized for a variety of purposes, some of which include:
- Cosmetic and acne treatment: Therapy to manage or improve skin disorders such as acne and sebaceous hyperplasia. It may even reduce the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation.
- Skin cancer prevention: Treatment for precancerous skin growths before they metastasize. Photodynamic therapy leverages photosensitizing drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Depression: Effectively treats major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Complications or Risks
Blue light therapy is a painless, low-risk procedure when performed without the addition of photosensitivity drugs. The most common risks include mild skin irritation and blisters, which can become infected if cared for improperly. Conversely, photodynamic therapy carries a higher risk of complications, including swelling and moderate to severe skin irritation.
Blue light therapy is not recommended for individuals diagnosed with lupus, porphyria, or porphyrin allergies.
