Blue | Red Light - Photodynamic PDT Acne Therapy – Pt 3

The Porphyrins that is produced by P. acnes bacteria in the sebaceous glands as a result from metabolism by-product is sought and activated by the blue light that eventually kill the bacteria. However, before being zapped by the blue light, a painless and clear solution called the Levulan or Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is first administered to your skin.

It is a powerful photosensitizing agent that boost the sensitivity to the blue light and It is left to stay at your skin for approximately 30 minutes for proper absorption to the sebaceous gland and then the ALA is activated by the intense

" Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and Methyl Aminolevulinate (MAL) are the 2 most common photosensitizers administered in dermatology "

blue light for about 10 minutes and through the chemical reaction, the P. acnes bacteria is destroyed. Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and Methyl Aminolevulinate (MAL) are the 2 most common photosensitizers administered in dermatology. If you are exposed to the sun as soon as after the treatment, you can get significant sunburn very quickly and also skin peeling effect. It is recommended that you go for home confinement for couple of days after the blue light therapy and the other side effects include mild dryness, swelling and pigmentation. Repeat treatments may be needed in order to achieve good result as the blue light therapy targets only a single source, the P. acnes, and this bacteria can come back again as they can regenerate very quickly and therefore an on-going treatments are needed.

Blue light is not a UV light, and it belongs to the visible light ( can be seen by human eyes ) and it is not damaging to our skin. Here are some information on the wavelength of the visible light spectrums:

Violet – 380nm-450nm
Blue – 450nm-495nm
Green – 495nm-570nm
Yellow – 570nm-590nm
Orange- 590nm–620nm
Red – 620nm-750nm

Image Right - Hand Held Blue LED Light