A rainbow of light is made of many colors. Out of ROYGBIV, blue light is by far my favorite. Blue light is key to photodynamic therapy: a specialized light treatment that treats actinic keratoses (pre-skin cancers), acne, and rejuvinates the skin.
How does this work? First, a chemical called levulan is applied to the skin (most commonly the face, but neck, chest, arms, and hands can also be treated) in the dermatologist's office. This stays on the skin anywhere from 30-60 minutes. Then a U-shaped light, specific for blue light is placed so that it shines on the skin, usually from 8-16 minutes. The levulan is activated by this light, and results in destruction of abnormal cells.
Because the levulan is activated by light, sunlight must be avoided for 48-72 hours after treatment. Redness and some crusting are common after treatment. Once that subsides, the skin is smoother and often younger appearing.
Acne may be treated with the blue light alone, as well, but it may not be quite as effective as when levulan is added. A series of treatments are required. The acne may worsen initially after the first treatment and then improve. It's a great option for those who can't tolerate conventional treatments with oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and topical medications.
This treatment can also be performed using intense pulsed light (IPL) rather than blue light. Although an off-label use, it can help "bump up" the improvement seen in fine lines, brown spots, and red spots seen after an IPL treatment. Multiple treatments are still needed.
Photodynamic therapy has many applications for both medical and cosmetic uses. A board certified dermatologist can decide if this treatment is right for you.
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