Blue Light and Red Light Treatment for Actinic Keratosis

Conveniently located to serve Long Island, Middle Island, and Stony Brook

At Cavallo & Horlick Dermatology, we provide blue light and red light treatment for actinic keratosis and acne in Long Island. Actinic keratoses are rough patches of skin that form as a result of UV ray exposure. These patches most often form on regions that are frequently exposed to the sun, including the head, neck, and hands.

Actinic keratoses are sometimes itchy or cause a burning feeling. They may bleed, and in certain cases, they can become cancerous, turning into squamous cell carcinomas.

What Is Blue Light and Red Light Treatment for Actinic Keratosis?

Blue light and red light treatments are types of photodynamic therapy (PDT). This process involves first applying a light-sensitizing agent to the skin of the treatment area. This must be given an hour to 90 minutes to take full effect.

Blue or red light is then directed towards the skin. This effectively destroys the cells in the actinic keratosis patch without damaging healthy skin tissue.

After your treatment session, your skin will gradually heal. It is vital to avoid all sun exposure for 48 hours, since the skin will still be very sensitive to UV light and can experience complications.

Typically, two treatment sessions will be needed to fully address actinic keratoses. These sessions must be spaced three weeks apart.

What Is BLU-U Blue Light Acne Treatment?

BLU-U blue light treatments are also available for the treatment of acne. An acne breakout can be especially damaging to one’s confidence. Severe acne can cause people to avoid public gatherings and can take a toll on their mental as well as physical health.

Blue light therapy has emerged as an effective and safe therapy for the treatment of acne. It is also very convenient, since it can be administered as an in-office treatment.

The BLU-U is a unique blue light that kills the P. acnes bacteria in your skin. Its antimicrobial effect clears breakout-causing bacteria from your pores and oil glands. It also clears free radicals from your skin, slowing down the appearance of signs of facial aging. Its anti-inflammatory effects reduce the redness that often results from acne.

Blue Light Acne Treatments are simple – your face will be cleaned of any makeup before the treatment session starts, and you will be given goggles to protect your eyes. You will sit with your face close to the light for a short time at a schedule set up by your dermatologist, approximately a 17-minute session about once or twice per week. The treatments may go on for five weeks or so. It’s safe, it’s not hot, it’s not painful. After some weeks, the blue light can help control your acne.

The BLU-U blue Light Photodynamic Acne Therapy Plan

Come in once a week for 4 weeks then cut back to once a week for every other week.

What Is Red Light Treatment for Acne?

Red light therapy for acne works in a similar way to BLU-U treatment, but it does not have the same antimicrobial effects as blue light therapy. Instead, it reaches deeper into the layers of the skin to repair damaged tissue and soothe the skin. Its anti-inflammatory effects promote healing of the skin and reduce acne scarring.

You will likely see results from the treatment within two to four weeks, but it’s important that you follow your dermatologist’s guidelines during the recovery period to speed up the process of healing.