Health, Eye Care and other related articles

Blue light therapy is not as new as you may think. Since the early 1980s, it has been used to deal with seasonal mood swings due to shorter days. However, more recently, some medical professionals have seen its benefits as a way to remove acne scars.

This type of therapy uses an intense, narrow ray of blue light to help treat damaged skin. It generally lasts anywhere from ten to twenty minutes. The greatest thing about blue light therapy is that it does not usually require much downtime, if any.

Blue light treatments usually consist of three parts. First, photosensitizing medication is administered. Second, the doctor waits for the medication to take effect (incubation period), and finally the blue light is administered.

The incubation period - time it takes for the medication to take effect - depends on the purpose of the treatment, therefore, it can take a few minutes to a few hours.

The blue light treatment is applied in a light activation room. Before undergoing the procedure you should know that you may feel an increasing level of heat, or some burning or stinging sensations, this is normal. Fans are sometimes used to keep the person comfortable during the procedure.

Sunscreen and protective garments are an essential part of post treatment procedures, especially when trying to shield your skin from damaging UV radiation. Fortunately, blue light therapy can be used on anyone, regardless of age.

Acne Problems & Blue Light Therapy

Other than helping you deal with acne scars, blue light therapy can also be used in acne treatment because it helps kill acne bacteria without the use of antibiotics. You should already be aware that using antibiotics for a certain period of time may cause them to lose their effect which is one of the reasons doctors refer to blue light therapy as one of the best acne treatments around.

Undergoing blue light therapy can also help you avoid the use of harsh acne creams or facial acne treatments. People with dry and sensitive skin may suffer from serious problems when using traditional acne products, however, a safer alternative is the use of blue light therapy and certain natural skin care products.

If you're not sold on the idea of undergoing this type of treatment because you're uncertain of its long term effects on your skin, then it's well-understood. However, the results so far are important and prove the effectiveness of this procedure, as a matter of fact, it has also proven to be very effective in the treatment of actinic keratosis.