Blue Light Treatment is used to treat moderate acne (acne vulgaris), as well as Actinic Keratoses (AKs) caused by excessive exposure to the sun.

Aesthetic Solutions in the okanagan offers several treatments for acne and acne scarring, as well as other skin conditions. Blue Light Treatment is used to treat moderate acne (acne vulgaris). Microdermabrasion effectively treats blackheads, whiteheads and acne scars, as well as sun-damaged skin, age spots, superficial pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and enlarged or oily pores.

Photorejuvenation, using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) also treats various skin conditions, such as benign pigmented spots or age spots, vascular lesions, large pores, sun-damaged skin, ruddy skin treatment, and telangiectasia (facial veins).

In addition, our Kelowna clinic offers minor esthetic treatments such as facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, massage, and customized men's treatments.

Blue Light for Acne

For the treatment of acne vulgaris, the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator Model 4170 is used.

The BLU-U is a very special blue light that can kill the p. acnes bacteria in your skin. Treatments are simple you simply sit with your face close to the light for a short time, usually once or twice a week in 15-minute sessions.

Treatments may last for five weeks or so.

It's very safe, not hot, and not painful at all. After some weeks, the blue light can control your acne, or clear it up for a very long period of time.

 How Blue Light Treats Acne Vulgaris

In the treatment of acne vulgaris 417 nanometer (nm) blue light activates endogenous photosensitizers within the P. acnes bacteria. This creates a toxic bacteriocidal environment in the sebaceous gland that inhibits the obstruction of the sebaceous follicle and formation of the acne lesions

Eradication Of  P. Acnes By 417 nm Narrow Band Light

Acne

Blue-U Therapy

P. Acnes Absent

Before

After

Blue Light and Levulan PDT
Unique photodynamic therapy combines topical photosensitizer – Levulan – with blue light – Blu-U – a therapeutic treatment for nonhyperkeratotic actinic keratosis of the face or scalp. Aminolevulinic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body; the active ingredient is converted to a photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX; Blue light illumination produces singlet oxygen that destroys damaged and unhealthy cells only.

Dosage and administration

Step 1:  the face or area to be treated is prepared with either acetone or Microdermabrasion

Step  3: after rinsing the treated area with water, the affected area is then treated with Blu-U or a combination of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Blu-U.

Application of solution and
absorption by treated cells

Blue light illumination  and
destruction of treated cells

Patients should avoid exposure of the photosensitive treatment site to sunlight or bright indoor light prior to blue light treatment. Exposure may result in a stinging and / or burning sensation and may cause erythema or edema of the lesions. Patients should protect treated lesions from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or similar head covering of light-opaque material. Sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.

Transient local symptoms of stinging and/or burning, itching, erythema, and edema were observed in all clinical studies. Severe stinging and/or burning at one or more lesions being treated was reported by at least 50% of patients at some time during treatment. However, less than 3% of patients discontinued light treatment due to stinging and/or burning.

**Patients should avoid light exposure for 24 hours following ALA Photodynamic Therapy.**