Dermatology light therapy
Committed to advancing dermatology therapies for chronic skin conditions
An undeniable connection between efficacy and compliance in symptom relief
Inflammatory skin diseases affect millions of people around the world. The prevalence of these chronic dermatology conditions and the nature of their symptoms mean treatments need to be effective as well as convenient, safe and easy to use.
Dermatology therapies developed through in-depth clinical research and designed with patient needs and lifestyles in mind may lead to better treatment compliance, improved efficacy and, in turn, greater patient satisfaction.
Target conditions for dermatology light therapy research
Psoriasis and eczema, two of the most common chronic skin conditions, are key areas of research and development. Advances in treating symptoms continue to provide new solutions for patients and clinicians.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis vulgaris (Pv) is a chronic skin disease characterized by red, scaly plaques on the skin. These plaques are caused by a highly accelerated regeneration of the skin accompanied by a sustained inflammation. Depending on different criteria, such as the proportion of the body affected and the extent of symptoms (Psoriasis Area Severity Index, PASI) as well as the effect on the quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI), psoriasis is classified into three different categories: mild, moderate and severe. Treatment recommendations are then based on the assigned severity level.
Eczema
Eczema is the general term for a set of chronic skin conditions that typically present with red, inflamed skin accompanied by intense itching. The exact cause is unknown, but many people affected by the disease have an impaired skin barrier function, allowing irritants and allergens to enter the skin. These are detected by immune cells - e.g. dendritic cells – which activate other inflammatory cells - e.g. T cells - stimulating the release of inflammatory substances. These attract further inflammatory and immune cell subtypes to the skin leading to a sustained inflammation of the skin.
Initial studies1, 2 have shown that blue light suppresses immune cell activation and is beneficial for eczema patients. In a clinical investigation blue LED light significantly improved local symptoms of eczema in patients treated over four weeks. Patient compliance was very high and no adverse events were reported, making blue light a safe and innovative treatment option for eczema3.
Clinically proven:
Blue light irradiation is an innovative treatment option for mild to moderate eczema patients.
Key topics and advances in dermatology and light therapy
In-vitro research
Blue-light irradiation regulates proliferation and differentiation in human skin cells.4
In this study human keratinocytes and skin-derived endothelial cells were irradiated with light-emitting-diode devices of distinct wavelengths to study the effects on cell physiology. Blue light is shown to decrease the proliferation of these skin cells while enhancing their differentiation.
In-vitro research
Blue light irradiation suppresses dendritic cells activation in vitro.1
Blue light is a UV-free phototherapy solution suitable for treating chronic skin inflammation. This study investigated whether dendritic cells are directly affected by blue light irradiation in vitro.
Clinical study
Prospective randomized study on the efficacy of blue light in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.5
The difference of LPSI scores of the irradiated plaques compared to the control plaques showed statistically significant improvement after four weeks of treatment. Blue light appears to be a promising treatment modality in Pv that warrants further evaluation in larger studies.
Clinical study
Prospective randomized long-term study on the efficacy and safety of UV-free blue light for treating mild psoriasis vulgaris.6
Patient compliance and satisfaction were exceptionally high; UV-free blue light home treatment was found to be safe and significantly improves psoriasis vulgaris plaques.
In-vitro research
Biological stimulation of the human skin applying health promoting light and plasma sources.7
Light sources in the visible spectral range have been investigated with respect to the several physiologic parameters including proliferation of different human skin cell types.
In-vitro research
Short wavelength visible light suppresses innate immunity-related responses by modulating protein S-nitrosylationin keratinocytes.8
Investigation of the effect of UV-free visible blue light on the expression of inflammatory psoriasis markers such as S100A7 and HBD-2 in keratinocytes.
Clinical study
Wearable textile-based phototherapy systems.9
Phototherapy concepts and clinical validation demonstrate the use of e-textiles for medical applications in a meaningful way.
Clinical study
Prospective, randomized study on the efficacy and safety of blue light in the local treatment of eczema.3
Blue light has been shown to reduce the activation of T-cells and modulate cytokine release in vitro. We investigated the efficacy of local blue light treatment of eczema with 21 patients with mild to moderate eczema for four weeks in a clinical investigation. Patients showed a compliance rate of 100%. The blue light treatment was safe with no adverse events and no side effects. The patients experienced a significant reduction in eczema symptoms over the study period.
Blue LED light
Potential for a range of medical applications across the health continuum
Blue light has a wavelength of 400–490 nm and is part of the light spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Blue light does not contain any UV-radiation and penetrates deeply into the skin. It is known that blue light has positive effects on the human body. LEDs are known for their energy efficiency, compact design and stability. The combination – blue LEDs – is a promising and powerful tool for medical applications. Research shows that LEDs used for medical treatments require special features that exceed those of conventional LEDs, including high intensities and tailored adjustments such as pulsed LED light. With blue LEDs optimized specifically for health applications, patients receive the benefits of phototherapy through the gentle, natural process-inducing characteristics of LED light in the visible blue spectrum.
Philips BlueControl
Clinically proven, UV-free, wearable blue LED light therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris.
Philips BlueControl
Clinically proven, UV-free, wearable blue LED light therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris.
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Events
Lægedage
Nov 14 - 18
Copenhagen, Denmark
X Jubileuszowa Konferencja Edukacyjna Andrzejki Dermatologiczne
Nov 18 - 19
Lodz, Poland
Journees Dermatologiques De Paris 2016
Dec 6 - 10
Paris, France
References
- Fischer M et al. Blue light irradiation suppresses dendritic cells activation in vitro. Experimental Dermatology. 2013; 22:554 – 563.
- Becker D et al. Clinical efficacy of blue light full body irradiation as treatment option for severe atopic dermatitis. PlosOne. 2011;6(6):e20566.
- Keems, K., et al., Prospective, Randomized study on the Efficacy and Safety of local Treatment with UV-free blue Light of Eczema. Dermatology, 2016 (accepted for publication).
- Liebmann J, Born M, Kolb-Bachofen MV. Blue-Light Irradiation Regulates Proliferation and Differentiation in Human Skin Cells. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2010; 130: 259 – 269. 422.
- Weinstabl, A., et al. Prospective randomized study on the efficacy of blue light in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Dermatology, 2011; 223(3): 251 – 9.
- Pfaff S et al. Prospective Randomized Long-Term Study on the Efficacy and Safety of UV-Free Blue Light for Treating Mild Psoriasis Vulgaris. Dermatology, 2015; 231: 24 – 34.
- Awakowicz, P., et al. Biological Stimulation of the Human Skin Applying Health-Promoting Light and Plasma Sources. Contributions to Plasma Physics, 2009; 49 (9): 641 – 647.
- Kim, et al. Short Wavelength Visible Light Suppresses Innate Immunity-Related Responses by Modulating Protein S-Nitrosylation in Keratinocytes. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2016; 136 (3): 727–731.
- Koen van O, Kunigunde C. Wearable Textile-Based Phototherapy Systems. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 2013. 189: 91-95.
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