Blue Light Therapy
Color therapy (blue light therapy, red light therapy, etc) dates back to Ancient Egyptians times where light and colors were used in different healing applications. Modern-day medicine still recognizes color therapy as a powerful treatment for many ailments. Thankfully, research has broadened our knowledge and modern technologies have expanded the impact color therapy can have.
For a general understanding of color therapy or chromotherapy, you can read our previous article here. Likewise, for an in-depth look at red light therapy click here! In this article we will look at the benefits of blue light therapy for acne, eczema, psoriasis and other forms of atopic dermatitis.
BENEFITS OF BLUE LIGHT THERAPY
ACNE
Blue light therapy can be used to kills acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin without harming the good bacteria. This is critical as the good bacteria on the skin are necessary in maintaining moisture levels and protecting us against toxins. Many harsh acne products kill both the good and bad bacteria on the skin (think benzoyl peroxide). While this may resolve acne in the short run, in the long run, acne can become much worse and other skin conditions like dryness and rashes can occur.
Along with this, blue light therapy can work to shrink the size of enlarged oil glands leading to reduced oil production, fewer clogged pores and even a shrinking of the pores. Compared with many other acne treatments available on the market, blue light therapy is pain-free and drugless. It is also easily applied to target acne on any part of the body.
“Dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, M.D. states, ‘Blue light has been shown to penetrate the skin’s hair follicles and pores which harbor bacteria and can cause inflammation, and therefore acne. Bacteria are very sensitive to the blue light spectrum-it shuts down their metabolism and kills them.’ Unlike topical treatments that work to decrease inflammation and bacteria on the surface of the skin, light treatment eliminates the acne-causing bacteria (otherwise known as P.acnes) within the skin before it can feed off the oil glands and cause that redness and inflammation” (source).
