While blue light gets a bad rap in the wellness community, there is more to the story than meets the eye. Most of us into health know it is best to avoid blue light close to bedtime AND that blue light when exposed to the eyes in excess is not good. Any bright white light bulbs or computer/phone/tablet screens will have appreciable amounts of blue in the spectrum. This is a result of modern lifestyle and abnormally high amounts of screentime on phones, tablets, computers and TV. The average screen time on internet connected devices in America is around 7 hours [1]! . Because (unfiltered) screens have high amounts of blue light, it should be clear why Americans (and most people in the world) are getting unhealthy levels of blue light to their eyes and pineal gland which effects both the eyes and sleep/ melatonin levels in a negative way.
But is all blue light bad? No, absolutely not. In fact blue light is essential for circadian rhythm anchoring, creating a positive mood, energy, healthy hormonal balance. And in PBM, blue light helps to prevent and reverse SAD (seasonal affective disorder), fight acne and skin infections, treat MRSA, and jaundice in newborns.
[1] https://backlinko.com/screen-time-statistics
But is all blue light bad? No, absolutely not. In fact blue light is essential for circadian rhythm anchoring, creating a positive mood, energy, healthy hormonal balance. And in PBM, blue light helps to prevent and reverse SAD (seasonal affective disorder), fight acne and skin infections, treat MRSA, and jaundice in newborns.
[1] https://backlinko.com/screen-time-statistics
Blue = Sky = Daytime to the Brain
Sunlight reaches Earth's atmosphere and is scattered in all directions by all the gases and particles in the air. Blue light is scattered in all directions by the tiny molecules of air in Earth's atmosphere. Blue is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves. This is called Rayleigh scattering and it is the reason the sky is blue.
So because we see blue skies in the daytime (whenever the weather is favorable), it makes sense that evolution would use this cue to tell our brains that Blue = Daytime. Get bright full spectrum light (with plenty of blue) first thing in the morning helps to anchor our biorhythms and gives us more energy and an enhanced mood. At night we want to avoid blue light because we don't want our brains to think it is daytime, because blue light suppresses melatonin. So blue light is GOOD in the day, but best to be avoided near bedtime (red/amber lighting is ideal close to bedtime).
As alluded to previously, the direct role of visible (blue wavelength specifically) light in maintaining the pineal gland secretions of melatonin to maintain the circadian rhythm has been well established [2]
But it is worth noting that the best wavelength of blue for SAD seems to be about 450nm (compared to acne which is 415 & and Jaundice 460nm).
Blue blue light does much more therapeutically than just synchronize and anchor our biorhythms. Blue light interacts with a few notable chromophores like hemoglobin and bilirubin to create healing for various conditions AND it seems to have disinfectant properties for skin infections like acne.
[2] Hattar, S., Liao, H.W., Takao, M., Berson, D.M., Yau, K.W., 2002. Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells: architecture, projections, and intrinsic photosensitivity. Science 295, 10651070
Sunlight reaches Earth's atmosphere and is scattered in all directions by all the gases and particles in the air. Blue light is scattered in all directions by the tiny molecules of air in Earth's atmosphere. Blue is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves. This is called Rayleigh scattering and it is the reason the sky is blue.
So because we see blue skies in the daytime (whenever the weather is favorable), it makes sense that evolution would use this cue to tell our brains that Blue = Daytime. Get bright full spectrum light (with plenty of blue) first thing in the morning helps to anchor our biorhythms and gives us more energy and an enhanced mood. At night we want to avoid blue light because we don't want our brains to think it is daytime, because blue light suppresses melatonin. So blue light is GOOD in the day, but best to be avoided near bedtime (red/amber lighting is ideal close to bedtime).
As alluded to previously, the direct role of visible (blue wavelength specifically) light in maintaining the pineal gland secretions of melatonin to maintain the circadian rhythm has been well established [2]
But it is worth noting that the best wavelength of blue for SAD seems to be about 450nm (compared to acne which is 415 & and Jaundice 460nm).
Blue blue light does much more therapeutically than just synchronize and anchor our biorhythms. Blue light interacts with a few notable chromophores like hemoglobin and bilirubin to create healing for various conditions AND it seems to have disinfectant properties for skin infections like acne.
[2] Hattar, S., Liao, H.W., Takao, M., Berson, D.M., Yau, K.W., 2002. Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells: architecture, projections, and intrinsic photosensitivity. Science 295, 10651070
Blue Light and Acne
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually, and 85% of all people – including 40% of adolescents - have acne at some point in their lives [3]. The annual cost of treating acne exceeds $2.2 billion [4]. Though we tend to associate acne with teenagers, published data suggests that about 12% of women over 35 years old continue to have acne. Current treatments for acne vulgaris include topical and oral medications such as topical antibiotics, topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or azaleic acid. In severe cases, systemic antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline, oral retinoids, and some hormones may also be indicated. Despite many options that are available for treatment of acne vulgaris, many patients still respond inadequately to treatment or experience some adverse effects.
[3] Stathakis V, Kilkenny M, Marks R. Descriptive epidemiology of acne vulgaris in the community. Australas J Dermatol. 1997 Aug;38(3):115-23.
[4] BickersDR, LimHW, MargolisD,WeinstockMA,GoodmanC,Faulkner E et al. The burden of skin diseases: 2004 a joint project of the American Academy of Dermatology
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually, and 85% of all people – including 40% of adolescents - have acne at some point in their lives [3]. The annual cost of treating acne exceeds $2.2 billion [4]. Though we tend to associate acne with teenagers, published data suggests that about 12% of women over 35 years old continue to have acne. Current treatments for acne vulgaris include topical and oral medications such as topical antibiotics, topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or azaleic acid. In severe cases, systemic antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline, oral retinoids, and some hormones may also be indicated. Despite many options that are available for treatment of acne vulgaris, many patients still respond inadequately to treatment or experience some adverse effects.
[3] Stathakis V, Kilkenny M, Marks R. Descriptive epidemiology of acne vulgaris in the community. Australas J Dermatol. 1997 Aug;38(3):115-23.
[4] BickersDR, LimHW, MargolisD,WeinstockMA,GoodmanC,Faulkner E et al. The burden of skin diseases: 2004 a joint project of the American Academy of Dermatology
The Red and Blue Light Solution to Acne
The overall best strategy with light therapy and acne involves the use of both blue light and red light combined. Let's talk about blue first. The mechanism of action of blue light, which is used to treat acne, is quite different than what we have been talking about with red and infrared light. Acne causing bacteria produce these endogenous porphyrins (chromophores), mainly coproporphyrin III and protoporphyrin IX, which absorb blue wavelengths of light, with a maximal absorption in the range of 400 to 415 nm. When the porphyrins absorb these blue wavelengths, they become chemically active, resulting in the formation of reactive free radicals and singlet oxygen, which in turn causes membrane damage to the acne bacteria, leading to their self-destruction. Studies confirm that once blue light (400-415nm) is irradiated on the affected area their is a measurable decrease in bacterial count in acnes skin [4-8]. Also, because it is a shorter wavelength, blue light does not penetrate as deep as red and near infrared which is another reason it is so good for treating acne.
Along with blue light, studies show that it is important to also add 630 nm red light. This should make sense, as we know red light has the benefit of reducing inflammation and redness and stimulating blood flow to the follicle for healing and repair. Along with lowering inflammation and stimulating repair, red light has another benefit as it also has been shown to reduce sebaceous activity, resulting in the creation of less oil (sebum) or food for the bacteria to flourish [9,10].
Looking back on the four main causes of acne, we can see that blue and red light therapy address three of these causes by first killing the acne bacteria with blue light and then lowering inflammation and reducing sebaceous activity with red light! This makes red and blue light therapy the best safe and effective acne treatment option available today!
[4] Aziz-Jalali MH, Tabaie SM, Djavid GE. Comparison of Red and Infrared Low-level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris. Indian J Dermatol. 2012 Mar;57(2):128-30.
[5] E. V. Ross, “Optical treatments for acne,” Dermatol. Ther. 18(3), 253–266 (2005).
[6] S. Y. Lee, K.-H. Park, J.-W. Choi, J.-K. Kwon, D. R. Lee, M. S. Shin et al., “A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evalua- tions and comparison of three different tre,” J. Photochem. Photobiol. B. [Internet], 88(1), 51–67 (2007 Jul 27).
[7] Goldberg, D. J., and B. A. Russell. 2006. Combination blue (415nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment
of mild to severe acne vulgaris. J Cosmet Laser Ther 82:71–75.
[8] P. Papageorgiou, A. Katsambas, and A. Chu, “Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris,” Br. J. Dermatol. [Internet], 142(5), 973–8 (2000 May). Available from: http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10809858
[9] A. M. Rotunda, A. R. Bhupathy, and T. E. Rohrer, “The new age of acne therapy: light, lasers, and radiofrequency,” J. Cosmet. Laser. Ther. [Internet], 6(4), 191–200 (2004 Dec).
[10] N. S. Sadick, “Handheld LED array device in the treatment of acne vulgaris,” J. Drugs. Dermatol. [Internet], 7(4), 347–50 (2008 Apr)
The overall best strategy with light therapy and acne involves the use of both blue light and red light combined. Let's talk about blue first. The mechanism of action of blue light, which is used to treat acne, is quite different than what we have been talking about with red and infrared light. Acne causing bacteria produce these endogenous porphyrins (chromophores), mainly coproporphyrin III and protoporphyrin IX, which absorb blue wavelengths of light, with a maximal absorption in the range of 400 to 415 nm. When the porphyrins absorb these blue wavelengths, they become chemically active, resulting in the formation of reactive free radicals and singlet oxygen, which in turn causes membrane damage to the acne bacteria, leading to their self-destruction. Studies confirm that once blue light (400-415nm) is irradiated on the affected area their is a measurable decrease in bacterial count in acnes skin [4-8]. Also, because it is a shorter wavelength, blue light does not penetrate as deep as red and near infrared which is another reason it is so good for treating acne.
Along with blue light, studies show that it is important to also add 630 nm red light. This should make sense, as we know red light has the benefit of reducing inflammation and redness and stimulating blood flow to the follicle for healing and repair. Along with lowering inflammation and stimulating repair, red light has another benefit as it also has been shown to reduce sebaceous activity, resulting in the creation of less oil (sebum) or food for the bacteria to flourish [9,10].
Looking back on the four main causes of acne, we can see that blue and red light therapy address three of these causes by first killing the acne bacteria with blue light and then lowering inflammation and reducing sebaceous activity with red light! This makes red and blue light therapy the best safe and effective acne treatment option available today!
[4] Aziz-Jalali MH, Tabaie SM, Djavid GE. Comparison of Red and Infrared Low-level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris. Indian J Dermatol. 2012 Mar;57(2):128-30.
[5] E. V. Ross, “Optical treatments for acne,” Dermatol. Ther. 18(3), 253–266 (2005).
[6] S. Y. Lee, K.-H. Park, J.-W. Choi, J.-K. Kwon, D. R. Lee, M. S. Shin et al., “A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evalua- tions and comparison of three different tre,” J. Photochem. Photobiol. B. [Internet], 88(1), 51–67 (2007 Jul 27).
[7] Goldberg, D. J., and B. A. Russell. 2006. Combination blue (415nm) and red (633 nm) LED phototherapy in the treatment
of mild to severe acne vulgaris. J Cosmet Laser Ther 82:71–75.
[8] P. Papageorgiou, A. Katsambas, and A. Chu, “Phototherapy with blue (415 nm) and red (660 nm) light in the treatment of acne vulgaris,” Br. J. Dermatol. [Internet], 142(5), 973–8 (2000 May). Available from: http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10809858
[9] A. M. Rotunda, A. R. Bhupathy, and T. E. Rohrer, “The new age of acne therapy: light, lasers, and radiofrequency,” J. Cosmet. Laser. Ther. [Internet], 6(4), 191–200 (2004 Dec).
[10] N. S. Sadick, “Handheld LED array device in the treatment of acne vulgaris,” J. Drugs. Dermatol. [Internet], 7(4), 347–50 (2008 Apr)
Jaundice in Newborns and Blue Light to the rescue.
Skin Chromophores mainly hemogloblin and and Melanin along with bilirubin 460nm - blue (secondarily).
Jaundice is a condition that makes the skin and eyes look yellow. Normally, the body breaks older red blood cells into a yellow fluid called bilirubin. The liver helps take the bilirubin out of the blood. It becomes part of a fluid called bile. This bile helps people break down their food.
In some newborns, their liver can’t do this process very well yet. Too much bilirubin builds up, and their skin and eyes look yellow (jaundice). Jaundice usually goes away in 2-3 weeks after eating as their liver develops and they start feeding.
A bili light is a light therapy tool to treat newborn jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia). High levels of bilirubin can cause brain damage, leading to cerebral palsy, auditory neuropathy, gaze abnormalities and dental enamel hypoplasia. The therapy uses a blue light (420–470 nm) that converts bilirubin into a form that can be more easily excreted in the urine and feces.
Studies with rats have shed light on this process (pun intended) showing that Blue light converts bilirubin in the skin of jaundiced rats to metastable geometric isomers that are transported in blood and excreted in bile. That is, it triggers a photochemical process whereby the water-insoluble bilirubin is converted into a water-soluble form. This water-soluble bilirubin can then be easily transported away and excreted. [11]
[11] McDonagh AF, Palma LA, Lightner DA. Blue light and bilirubin excretion. Science. 1980 Apr 11;208(4440):145-51. doi: 10.1126/science.7361112. PMID: 7361112.
Below chart from
Mcewen, Mark & Reynolds, Karen. (2006). Noninvasive detection of bilirubin using pulsatile absorption. Australasian physical & engineering sciences in medicine / supported by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists in Medicine and the Australasian Association of Physical Sciences in Medicine. 29. 78-83.
Skin Chromophores mainly hemogloblin and and Melanin along with bilirubin 460nm - blue (secondarily).
Jaundice is a condition that makes the skin and eyes look yellow. Normally, the body breaks older red blood cells into a yellow fluid called bilirubin. The liver helps take the bilirubin out of the blood. It becomes part of a fluid called bile. This bile helps people break down their food.
In some newborns, their liver can’t do this process very well yet. Too much bilirubin builds up, and their skin and eyes look yellow (jaundice). Jaundice usually goes away in 2-3 weeks after eating as their liver develops and they start feeding.
A bili light is a light therapy tool to treat newborn jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia). High levels of bilirubin can cause brain damage, leading to cerebral palsy, auditory neuropathy, gaze abnormalities and dental enamel hypoplasia. The therapy uses a blue light (420–470 nm) that converts bilirubin into a form that can be more easily excreted in the urine and feces.
Studies with rats have shed light on this process (pun intended) showing that Blue light converts bilirubin in the skin of jaundiced rats to metastable geometric isomers that are transported in blood and excreted in bile. That is, it triggers a photochemical process whereby the water-insoluble bilirubin is converted into a water-soluble form. This water-soluble bilirubin can then be easily transported away and excreted. [11]
[11] McDonagh AF, Palma LA, Lightner DA. Blue light and bilirubin excretion. Science. 1980 Apr 11;208(4440):145-51. doi: 10.1126/science.7361112. PMID: 7361112.
Below chart from
Mcewen, Mark & Reynolds, Karen. (2006). Noninvasive detection of bilirubin using pulsatile absorption. Australasian physical & engineering sciences in medicine / supported by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists in Medicine and the Australasian Association of Physical Sciences in Medicine. 29. 78-83.
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