Blue LED light in medicine
Blue light has various positive effects on the body. It can, for example, relieve pain. And thanks to compact LED technology, it’s finally possible to make blue light therapy available for everyone.
Therapeutic applications of light energy are not new. Until now, ultra-violet or infrared light has mostly been used in the medical field – for example, to treat various skin diseases.
Blue LED light: New in medicine
Blue light has only been researched more intensively in recent times. This research showed several potential applications in the field of medicine. For instance, blue light can have a positive effect on sleeping patterns and on depressive moods. It also triggers processes that can be used to treat pain.
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used in homes and vehicles for a long time. Now their innovative properties are playing a role in the medical field too. LEDs have several advantages, such as extremely high energy efficiency, very long life and compact construction.
More information: What is blue LED light?
How does blue LED light work in pain therapy?
When you expose human skin to blue LED light at a specific wavelength, the radiation is absorbed – the light penetrates the skin. This triggers various processes that relieve pain:
Firstly, warmth arises in the area exposed to the light rays. The beneficial effects of warmth on pain processes are already known, and patients appreciate the therapeutic effect.
Researchers have also discovered that blue LED light at a wavelength of 453 nanometers leads to more nitric oxide (NO) being released in the skin area that was exposed to it.
More information: How does blue LED light work?
Application of blue LED light
Now a Philips research team has developed a mobile device that brings blue LED light to patients with chronic muscular back pain. The product – Philips BlueTouch – is an LED patch containing 40 special LEDs (light emitting diodes) that produce blue light at a specific wavelength of 453 nanometers (nm). BlueTouch is used directly on the skin. This enables the blue LED light to stimulate the body’s own pain relief processes directly, as described above.
BlueTouch can be used every day and is designed for discreet mobile applications. Currently, BlueTouch is available from selected pharmacies in Germany only, as part of a pilot project. However, you can order the LED patch from any other pharmacy in Germany too.
More information: How to apply blue LED light?
Safety of blue LED light
Blue LED light can be used with absolute safety in the medical field. This is ensured by the highly developed technology, and also by the wavelength used (453 nm). Blue light is non-toxic when used as recommended.