Phototherapy with Light Emitting Diodes: Treating a Broad Range of Medical and Aesthetic Conditions in Dermatology

Abstract

Within the field of dermatology, advances in the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) have led to their clinical application for a variety of medical and cosmetic uses. Of note, one phototherapy device has demonstrated beneficial effects over a range of clinical applications (Omnilux™; GlobalMed Technologies, Glen Ellen, California). The study included a literature review of published studies. Using LEDs with frequencies of 415nm (blue), 633nm (red), and 830nm (infrared), this device has demonstrated significant results for the treatment of medical conditions, including mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, wound healing, psoriasis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease), basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and cosmetic applications. Although photodynamic therapy with the photosensitizer 5-aminolevulinic acid might cause stinging and burning, phototherapy is free of adverse events. We determined that phototherapy using LEDs is beneficial for a range of medical and aesthetic conditions encountered in the dermatology practice. This treatment displays an excellent safety profile.

Keywords: Light-emitting diodes; acne vulgaris; periorbital wrinkles; photodynamic therapy; phototherapy; skin rejuvenation.

FIGURE 1.

Light-emitting diode phototherapy device (Omnilux™, GlobalMed Technologies, Glen Ellen, California

FIGURE 2.

The effectiveness of phototherapy for the treatment of rosacea is clearly demonstrated in this patient before (left) and three months after nine weekly treatment sessions with a red light emitting diode (right). Images courtesy of the author.

FIGURE 3.

The effectiveness of phototherapy for the treatment demodex folliculitis is clearly evident in this patient before (left) and after 7 weekly treatment sessions with a red light=emitting diode (right). Images courtesy of the author.