7+ Blue Light Therapy Benefits for Acne, Eczema and Sleep
Blue light therapy benefits include reducing acne, eczema, acne scars, and keratosis. When used to promote melatonin suppression, it can also help with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Key Takeaways:
Blue light therapy at home helps with:
- Reducing acne symptoms
- Reducing insomnia (when used in the morning)
- Reducing the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Reducing scar formation
- Reducing eczema and psoriasis
- Reducing wrinkles
- Help with sleep disorders
- Helping with actinic keratosis
Blue Light Therapy Benefits at Home
Blue light therapy can reduce symptoms of acne, keratosis, and eczema. It is used in SAD lights to reduce the winter blues. Blue light can be a non-toxic, anti-bacterial air and surface cleaner. Blue light therapy is non-invasive, effective, and available without a prescription.
1. Acne
Blue light therapy is known for its effectiveness in treating acne vulgaris. With the bacteria destroyed, the inflammation, redness, and blemishes recede. In the table below, I’ve listed seven recent studies showing that blue light reduces acne by up to 80%.
Table: Studies on the Effects of Blue Light in Reducing Acne
Study | Light Source | Treatment Protocol | Number of Subjects | Outcome |
Kawada et al., 2002 | 407–420 nm halide lamp | Treatments twice a week for 5 weeks | 30 | 77% of patients showed improvement |
Noborio et al., 2007 | 405–420 nm intense light | On average 12.4 treatments once a week | 10 | 80% of patients showed improvement |
Ammad et al., 2008 | 415–425 nm intense light | Two treatments a week for 4 weeks | 21 | Significant improvement in the Leeds Acne Grade and both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts |
Omi et al., 2004 | 420 nm intense light | Eight serial biweekly treatment sessions | 28 | 64.7% improvement in acne lesions |
Wheeland and Dhawan, 2011 | 410 nm LED | Twice daily for eight weeks | 28 | More than 90% of subjects reported improvements in their skin's overall appearance, clarity, radiance, tone, texture, and smoothness by week 8 |
Gold et al., 2009 | 414 nm LED | Blue light applied once daily for six minutes for eight weeks | 21 | Significant reduction in the total number of comedones on the face by day 7 and day 28 |
Morton et al., 2005 | 409–419 nm LED | Eight 10- or 20-min light treatments at 40 W/cm2 over 4 weeks | 30 | The overall effect on inflammatory counts was observed at week 5 and a statistically significant decrease in inflamed counts was detected at the week 8 assessments, which continued to week 12 |
It has been proven that blue light can help reduce acne by targeting the bacteria that cause it, such as Propionibacterium acnes. Exposure causes the bacteria to produce reactive oxygen species, ultimately destroying them. This also reduces future acne breakouts.
Blue light therapy leads to visible improvements in skin clarity, tone, and texture. As a result, it can be a valuable addition to an acne treatment regimen, particularly in cases of antibiotic resistance or sensitivity.
Here are 7 studies in which researchers used blue light to diminish and even eliminate acne. Learn more about these studies in “Blue light for infectious diseases: Propionibacterium acnes, Helicobacter pylori, and beyond?”
7 Blue Light Acne Studies
- Utilizing a 407–420 nm halide lamp as a source of blue light, this study subjected 30 participants to treatments twice a week for five weeks. The findings were quite promising, with 77% of patients demonstrating significant improvement in their acne conditions. (Kawada 2002)
- This research employed a 405–420 nm intense light and treated 10 subjects on average 12.4 times once per week. The outcomes were even more encouraging than the previous study, with 80% of patients showing noticeable improvements in their acne. (Noborio 2007)
- By using a slightly different range of blue light (415–425 nm) emitted from an intense light source and delivering two treatments a week for four weeks, this study observed a significant improvement in 21 patients. The Leeds Acne Grade, a measure of acne severity, was substantially reduced, as were both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts. (Ammad 2008)
- In this study, 28 participants received eight serial biweekly treatment sessions using 420 nm intense light. The result was a 64.7% improvement in acne lesions, suggesting a strong correlation between the application of blue light and acne reduction. (Omi 2004)
- This experiment used a 410 nm LED light source to treat 28 subjects twice daily for eight weeks. The results were extremely positive, with more than 90% of subjects reporting improvements in their skin’s overall appearance, clarity, radiance, tone, texture, and smoothness by the end of the 8th week. (Wheeland 2011)
- Utilizing a 414 nm LED light; blue light was applied once daily for six minutes for eight weeks on 21 subjects. The study found a significant reduction in the total number of comedones (a type of acne lesion) on the face by day 7 and day 28. (Gold 2009)
- This research used a 409–419 nm LED light source to give eight 10- or 20-minute light treatments at 40 W/cm2 over four weeks to 30 participants. An overall effect on inflammatory counts was observed in week 5, and a statistically significant decrease in inflamed counts was detected in week 8 assessments, which continued to be noticeable until week 12. (Morton 2005)
2. Insomnia
Circadian rhythm is our body’s internal clock that regulates various bodily functions, such as sleep and wake cycles. Exposure to blue light near the 480 nm wavelength has been shown to reset the circadian rhythm. It suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. A study testing blue light exposure for two hours before 9:00 am found that the exposure helped subjects fall asleep faster at night.
Consequently, timing is crucial in blue light therapy. Exposure to blue light during the day can help maintain a healthy circadian rhythm, while exposure late in the evening might interfere with sleep. In a study testing the effects of removing blue light at night, subjects wore clear or blue-blocking glasses for 2 hours before bed. The subjects wearing the blue-blocking glasses fell asleep faster and had a higher sleep quality than the controls.
3. Seasonal Affective Disorder
Blue light therapy is beneficial for individuals suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that occurs during winter when sun exposure is at its lowest. Research shows that exposure to blue light helps alleviate symptoms of SAD by improving mood and increasing energy levels.
Bright light therapy is an effective tool to reduce SAD depression. You usually use a 10,000-lux white light in the morning, which is known as “bright light therapy.” Researchers found that adding blue light to the SAD lamp could reduce the intensity from 10,000 to only 750 lux and still have good results. The blue light helped the circadian rhythm reset and reduced symptoms of depression.
4. Scar Prevention
Blue light therapy has also been found to improve acne scars. Along with red and infrared, blue stimulates production of collagen, elastin, and cell turnover. These colors also reduce redness and inflammation. All actions are a natural way to reduce the depth and color of scars. Two studies found that treating skin with blue light actually prevents scarring.
5. Psoriasis and Eczema Relief
It’s been shown that blue light therapy can also provide relief for individuals suffering from psoriasis and eczema. The therapy could help reduce itchiness, redness, and inflammation associated with these conditions. Although not a cure, consistent treatments can help manage symptoms and improve the overall skin appearance.
Blue is a safer alternative to ultraviolet light therapy. In a study of 20 patients with eczema, all subjects treated with blue light saw a significant reduction in their eczema symptoms, and three had 100% remissions after four weeks of therapy. There were no side effects. Those who had received ultraviolet therapy in the past expressed relief that blue light did not burn.
Another study compared red and blue light therapy for the reduction of psoriasis. Blue and red performed equally well in reducing scaling and redness. Blue light performed better than red at reducing skin plaques.
6. Wrinkles
Blue light therapy can reduce wrinkles by stimulating collagen, elastin and cell turnover. It helps improve skin elasticity and reduces the visible signs of aging. In study of red light on wrinkle reduction, 100% of the 20 volunteers had significant reduction in symptoms. Subjects used a red light therapy face mask two times per week for three months. Wrinkle reduction occurred during the entire study period.
7. Sleep Disorder
In addition to improving mood disorders, blue light therapy has also been found to be beneficial for those with sleep disorders. The therapy helps to regulate circadian rhythms, making it easier for individuals to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
A randomized clinical trial involving Parkinson’s disease patients experiencing sleep and daytime sleepiness issues found that timed light therapy improved multiple sleep metrics. Furthermore, blue light therapy has shown promising results in helping seniors with cognitive impairments and sleep disorders.
One study found that blue light treatment led to significant cognitive improvements and improved sleep quality. By exposing individuals to blue light, this therapy effectively synchronizes the body’s internal clock and helps regulate sleep patterns. Thus, it can be a valuable treatment option for those struggling with sleep disorders or looking to improve their sleep quality.
8. Actinic Keratosis Treatment
My research found that actinic keratosis (AK) is considered a precancerous skin condition. It manifests as small, rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, and arms. Blue light therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for AK. When used alongside a photosensitizing agent, this therapy targets only the affected skin cells, thus minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Applying the photosensitizing agent makes the affected cells more susceptible to blue light exposure during the treatment. When these cells are exposed to blue light, a chemical reaction destroys the damaged cells. This process is not only safe but also non-invasive and usually well-tolerated.
The Power in Blue Light Wavelengths
Blue light has short wavelengths. Blue light is next to ultraviolet on the electromagnetic spectrum. While ultraviolet can be dangerous, blue light is safe to use. Blue light operates within the 400 to 500 nm (nanometer) wavelength range. We don’t yet know the effect of every wavelength in the “blue” range.
We can say, for example, that 420 nanometer (nm) blue light reduces acne and excess sebum oil. Several wavelengths of blue light are effective for skin health. Studies performed with multi-wavelength LEDs show that multiple blue wavelengths are effective for many therapeutic interventions.
Minor Side Effects
While blue light therapy offers numerous benefits, it is essential to be aware of potential side effects, risks, and necessary precautions. Although blue light therapy is generally safe, some minor side effects may occur. These include skin redness, swelling, and dryness in the treated area.
Typically, these side effects are temporary and will resolve independently over time. Blue light therapy may cause headaches or eye strain in more sensitive individuals. To minimize eye strain, wearing proper eye protection, such as goggles, is vital during treatment sessions, particularly when undergoing photodynamic therapy (source).
I should mention a few risks associated with blue light therapy. Firstly, those with photosensitive skin conditions or certain medications that increase sun sensitivity should exercise caution when considering this treatment. Blue light therapy may exacerbate sun sensitivity and increase the risk of sunburn (source). To minimize the risks during blue light therapy, it is vital to take appropriate precautions.
As I mentioned earlier, wearing eye protection, such as goggles, is crucial to reducing eye strain and protecting your eyes from potential harm. Additionally, following the recommended treatment protocols and timings for each therapy type is essential to avoid overexposure.
While blue light therapy can provide many benefits, being informed about potential side effects and risks and taking the necessary precautions can help ensure a safe and effective treatment experience.
Consulting a Healthcare Professional
When considering blue light therapy, I must consult a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist, to ensure the treatment is appropriate for my needs and condition. A healthcare provider can provide insights into the potential benefits and risks and recommend the most suitable therapy system for me.
I trust institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center that houses dermatologists and other medical professionals well-versed in blue light therapy. When discussing blue light therapy with my healthcare provider, some essential topics we may cover include:
- My current skin condition: They can evaluate if blue light therapy is the right fit for my specific skin issues and if it’s the most effective option among other treatments.
- Potential side effects: Though generally considered safe, blue light therapy may have some side effects, and discussing them ensures I am well-informed before beginning the treatment.
- Correct usage and frequency: Based on my needs and specific device, my dermatologist can recommend the appropriate therapy duration and frequency.
- Combination with other treatments: In some cases, blue light therapy can be used with other treatments or medications for improved results.
Conclusion
Blue light therapy is an innovative, non-invasive treatment option that offers benefits for acne, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and sleep disturbances. It utilizes specific light wavelengths to address these conditions effectively, presenting an alternative to conventional treatments. This therapy underscores a significant advancement in holistic health solutions backed by scientific research, enhancing physical and mental well-being.
