{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]],"date-time":"2026-09-11T02:34:22Z","timestamp":1789094062169,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":65,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,1,9]],"date-time":"2023-01-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1673222400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"European Union ERDF","award":["OC38R17P0534"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["OC38R17P0534"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Life"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The development of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has led to an increase in the use of lighting regimes within medicine particularly as a treatment for dermatological conditions. New devices have demonstrated significant results for the treatment of medical conditions, including mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, wound healing, psoriasis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen\u2019s disease), basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and cosmetic applications. The three wavelengths of light that have demonstrated several therapeutic applications are blue (415 nm), red (633 nm), and near-infrared (830 nm). This review shows their potential for treating dermatological conditions. Phototherapy has also been shown to be an effective treatment for allergenic rhinitis in children and adults. In a double-anonymized randomized study it was found that there was 70% improvement of clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis after intranasal illumination by low-energy narrow-band phototherapy at a wavelength of 660 nm three times a day for 14 consecutive days. Improvement of oedema in many patients with an age range of 7\u201317 were also observed. These light treatments can now be self-administered by sufferers using devices such as the Allergy Reliever phototherapy device. The device emits visible light (mUV\/VIS) and infra-red light (660 nm and 940 nm) wavelengths directly on to the skin in the nasal cavity for a 3 min period. Several phototherapy devices emitting a range of wavelengths have recently become available for use and which give good outcomes for some dermatological conditions.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/life13010196","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,1,10]],"date-time":"2023-01-10T01:30:47Z","timestamp":1673314247000},"page":"196","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["Phototherapy as a Treatment for Dermatological Diseases, Cancer, Aesthetic Dermatologic Conditions and Allergenic Rhinitis in Adult and Paediatric Medicine"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Roy","family":"Kennedy","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Warwickshire College University Centre, Warwick New Road, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5JE, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,1,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"21","article-title":"Phototherapy with Light Emitting Diodes","volume":"11","author":"Ablon","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Clin. Aesthetic Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"305","DOI":"10.1089\/104454701753342758","article-title":"Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Wound Healing","volume":"19","author":"Whelan","year":"2001","journal-title":"J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"67","DOI":"10.1089\/104454703765035484","article-title":"Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode Irradiation on Molecular Changes for Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice","volume":"21","author":"Whelan","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1089\/wound.2015.0635","article-title":"Challenges in the Treatment of Chronic Wounds","volume":"4","author":"Frykberg","year":"2015","journal-title":"Adv. Wound Care"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"917","DOI":"10.1016\/j.injury.2010.03.023","article-title":"Light therapy by blue LED improves wound healing in an excision model in rats","volume":"42","author":"Adamskaya","year":"2011","journal-title":"Injury"},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"63","article-title":"Photobiomodulation with Blue Light in non-healing wounds: Case series evaluation","volume":"10","author":"Marchelli","year":"2019","journal-title":"Wounds Int."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"727","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-3083.2010.03832.x","article-title":"Narrow band UVB: Is it effective and safe for paediatric psoriasis and atopic dermatitis?","volume":"25","author":"Pavlovsky","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1440-0960.2010.00701.x","article-title":"Narrowband UVB phototherapy in children. A New Zealand experience","volume":"51","author":"Tan","year":"2010","journal-title":"Australas J. Derm."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"415","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-3083.2009.03425.x","article-title":"Paediatric psoriasis-narrowband UVB treatment","volume":"24","author":"Zamberk","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"559","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1525-1470.2008.00729.x","article-title":"Enhanced Response of Childhood Psoriasis to Narrow-Band UV-B Phototherapy with Preirradiation Use of Mineral Oil","volume":"25","author":"Jain","year":"2008","journal-title":"Pediatr. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"817","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2012.05.034","article-title":"The impact of emollients on phototherapy: A review","volume":"68","author":"Asztalos","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1007\/s40257-013-0026-8","article-title":"Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Psoriasis: Current and Future","volume":"14","author":"Shah","year":"2013","journal-title":"Am. J. Clin. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.1038\/jid.2009.194","article-title":"Blue-Light Irradiation Regulates Proliferation and Differentiation in Human Skin Cells","volume":"130","author":"Liebmann","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Investig. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"895","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dental.2007.10.006","article-title":"Effect of blue light on the proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts","volume":"24","author":"Taoufika","year":"2008","journal-title":"Dent. Mater."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"327","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2014.03.030","article-title":"Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: Section 3. Management and treatment with phototherapy and systemic agents","volume":"71","author":"Sidbury","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"289","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clindermatol.2014.12.005","article-title":"Systemic therapy of childhood atopic dermatitis","volume":"33","author":"Slater","year":"2015","journal-title":"Clin. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"501","DOI":"10.1111\/bjd.12645","article-title":"Photo(chemo)therapy in the management of atopic dermatitis: An updated systematic review with implications for practice and research","volume":"170","author":"Garritsen","year":"2014","journal-title":"Br. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sadowska, M., Narbutt, J., and Lesiak, A. (2021). Blue Light in Dermatology. Life, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/life11070670"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"124","DOI":"10.3109\/15569527.2012.717572","article-title":"Phototherapy for pityriasis lichenoides: Our experience","volume":"32","author":"Macias","year":"2013","journal-title":"Cutan. Ocul. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"404","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2133.2009.09503.x","article-title":"Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in the treatment of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease in oncohaematological paediatric patients","volume":"162","author":"Brazzelli","year":"2010","journal-title":"Br. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1525-1470.2003.03016.x","article-title":"Phototherapy in pediatric patients","volume":"20","author":"Husar","year":"2003","journal-title":"Pediatr. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e10","DOI":"10.1111\/pde.12240","article-title":"Narrowband Ultraviolet B Light in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Case Report","volume":"31","author":"Ness","year":"2014","journal-title":"Pediatr. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"1299","article-title":"Local immune response in skin of generalized vitiligo patients. Destruction of melanocytes is associated with the prominent presence of CLA+ T cells at the perilesional site","volume":"80","author":"Wijngaard","year":"2000","journal-title":"Lab. Investig. J. Tech. Methods Pathol."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Becker, D., Langer, E., Seemann, M., Seemann, G., Fell, I., Saloga, J., Grabbe, S., and Von Stebut, E. (2011). Clinical Efficacy of Blue Light Full Body Irradiation as Treatment Option for Severe Atopic Dermatitis. PLoS ONE, 6.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0020566"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38.e17193","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000017193","article-title":"Evaluation of the effectiveness of infrared light emitting diode photobiomodulation in children with sleep bruxism","volume":"98","author":"Kobayashi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM200101043440106","article-title":"\u201cAllergy and allergic diseases\u201d. First of two parts","volume":"344","author":"Kay","year":"2001","journal-title":"N. Engl. J. Med."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"399","DOI":"10.1016\/S1081-1206(10)63202-4","article-title":"Narrow-Band Red Light Phototherapy in Perennial Allergic Rhinitis and Nasal Polyposis","volume":"78","author":"Neuman","year":"1997","journal-title":"Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"658","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijporl.2013.01.006","article-title":"Comparative study in the management of allergic rhinitis in children using LED phototherapy and laser acupuncture","volume":"77","author":"Moustafa","year":"2013","journal-title":"Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"979","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-3476(05)83197-X","article-title":"Benefit\/risk ratio of the antihistamines (H1-receptor antagonists) terfenadine and chlorpheniramine in children","volume":"124","author":"Estelle","year":"1994","journal-title":"J. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5564","DOI":"10.2174\/0929867324666170727112206","article-title":"Visible Blue Light Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities","volume":"25","author":"Garza","year":"2019","journal-title":"Curr. Med. Chem."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1519","DOI":"10.1007\/s00431-014-2349-8","article-title":"Neonatal blue light phototherapy increases caf\u00e9-au-lait macules in preschool children","volume":"173","author":"Wintermeier","year":"2014","journal-title":"Eur. J. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jad.2011.08.016","article-title":"The effects of blue-enriched light treatment compared to standard light treatment in seasonal affective disorder","volume":"136","author":"Gordijn","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Affect. Disord."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"502","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biopsych.2005.07.006","article-title":"Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder with Blue Narrow-Band Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)","volume":"59","author":"Glickman","year":"2006","journal-title":"Biol. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"303","DOI":"10.1177\/1545968313508472","article-title":"Randomized Controlled Trial of Light Therapy for Fatigue Following Traumatic Brain Injury","volume":"28","author":"Sinclair","year":"2014","journal-title":"Neurorehabilit. Neural Repair"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.1097\/DSS.0000000000000266","article-title":"Phototherapy with LED Light Modulates Healing Processes in an In Vitro Scratch-Wound Model Using 3 Different Cell Types","volume":"41","author":"Teuschl","year":"2015","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"223","DOI":"10.1016\/j.drup.2012.07.001","article-title":"Blue light for infectious diseases: Propionibacterium acnes, Helicobacter pylori, and beyond?","volume":"15","author":"Dai","year":"2012","journal-title":"Drug Resist. Updates"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"541","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaci.2004.11.005","article-title":"Rhinophototherapy: A new therapeutic tool for the management of allergic rhinitis","volume":"115","author":"Koreck","year":"2005","journal-title":"Allergy Clin. Immunol."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.2147\/TCRM.S1769","article-title":"Review of photodynamic therapy in actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma","volume":"4","author":"Larko","year":"2008","journal-title":"Ther. Clin. Risk Manag."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25865","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms161025865","article-title":"Aminolevulinic Acid-Based Tumor Detection and Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Strategies for Enhancement","volume":"16","author":"Yang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Mol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Saini, R., Lee, N.V., Liu, K.Y., and Poh, C.F. (2016). Prospects in the Application of Photodynamic Therapy in Oral Cancer and Premalignant Lesions. Cancers, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/cancers8090083"},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"40","article-title":"5-Aminolevulinic Acid-based Photodynamic Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Shows Better Effects in the Treatment of Skin Photoaging in Asian Skin: A Prospective, Single-blinded, Controlled Trial","volume":"3","author":"Yang","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Clin. Aesthetic Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1097\/DSS.0000000000000528","article-title":"Photodynamic photorejuvenation: A review","volume":"42","author":"Cartier","year":"2016","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."},{"key":"ref_43","first-page":"879380","article-title":"Photodynamic therapy in pediatric age: Current applications and future trends","volume":"16","author":"Altavilla","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Pharmacol."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"712","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2133.2006.07143.x","article-title":"In vitro and in vivo comparison of two different light sources for topical photodynamic therapy","volume":"154","author":"Babilas","year":"2006","journal-title":"Br. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"766","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1365-2133.1996.d01-1076.x","article-title":"Comparison of photodynamic therapy with cryotherapy in the treatment of Bowen\u2019s disease","volume":"135","author":"Morton","year":"1996","journal-title":"Br J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"767","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1365-2133.2000.03773.x","article-title":"Comparison of red and green light in the treatment of Bowen\u2019s disease by photodynamic therapy","volume":"143","author":"Morton","year":"2000","journal-title":"Br. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"605","DOI":"10.1038\/bjc.1994.112","article-title":"Superficial photodynamic therapy with topical 5-aminolaevulinic acid for superficial primary and secondary skin cancer","volume":"69","author":"Cairnduff","year":"1994","journal-title":"Br. J. Cancer"},{"key":"ref_48","first-page":"260","article-title":"Expert Consensus on Cosmetic Outcomes After Treatment of Actinic Keratosis","volume":"16","author":"Berman","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Drugs Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.4184\/jkss.2005.12.1.69","article-title":"Clinical trial of nonthermal 633 nm Omnilux LED array for renewal of photoaging: Clinical surface profilometric results","volume":"9","author":"Kim","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Korean Soc. Laser Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.1080\/14764172.2017.1293828","article-title":"Photobiomodulation with non-thermal lasers: Mechanisms of action and therapeutic uses in dermatology and aesthetic medicine","volume":"19","author":"Nestor","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Laser Ther."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"196","DOI":"10.1080\/14764170500370059","article-title":"A study to determine the efficacy of combination LED light therapy (633 nm and 830 nm) in facial skin rejuvenation","volume":"7","author":"Russell","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Laser Ther."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.23822\/EurAnnACI.1764-1489.111","article-title":"Study on the effect of phototherapy for inhibition of symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis","volume":"52","author":"Kennedy","year":"2020","journal-title":"Eur. Ann. Allergy Clin. Immunol."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1635","DOI":"10.1185\/03007990903024699","article-title":"Pollen challenge study of a phototherapy device for reducing the symptoms of hay fever","volume":"25","author":"Emberlin","year":"2009","journal-title":"Curr. Med. Res. Opin."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.3892\/etm.2022.11184","article-title":"Phototherapy in dermatological maladies (Review)","volume":"23","author":"Branisteanu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Exp. Ther. Med."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"647","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaad.2005.12.033","article-title":"Photodynamic therapy of acne vulgaris using 5-aminolevulinic acid versus methyl aminolevulinate","volume":"54","author":"Wiegell","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Am. Acad. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"696","DOI":"10.1111\/bjd.14498","article-title":"A randomized, double-blind, phase III, multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BF-200 ALA (Ameluz\u00ae) vs. placebo in the field-directed treatment of mild-to-moderate actinic keratosis with photodynamic therapy (PDT) when using the BF-Rhodo LED\u00ae lamp","volume":"175","author":"Reinhold","year":"2016","journal-title":"Br. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"84","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pdpdt.2017.04.013","article-title":"Photodynamic therapy with epidermal ablation using fractional carbon-dioxide laser in the treatment of Bowen\u2019s disease: A case series","volume":"19","author":"Sung","year":"2017","journal-title":"Photodiagn. Photodyn. Ther."},{"key":"ref_58","first-page":"742","article-title":"Cystic acne improved by photodynamic therapy with short-contact 5-aminolevulinic acid and sequential combination of intense pulsed light and blue light activation","volume":"4","author":"Melnick","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Drugs Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"260","DOI":"10.1002\/lsm.20161","article-title":"Helicobacter pylori in patients can be killed by visible light","volume":"36","author":"Ganz","year":"2005","journal-title":"Lasers Surg. Med."},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"938","DOI":"10.1080\/21505594.2016.1250995","article-title":"Blue light treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Strong bactericidal activity, synergism with antibiotics and inactivation of virulence factors","volume":"8","author":"Fila","year":"2017","journal-title":"Virulence"},{"key":"ref_61","first-page":"CD011979","article-title":"Phototherapy for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes","volume":"28","author":"Wang","year":"2017","journal-title":"Cochrane Database Syst. Rev."},{"key":"ref_62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"228","DOI":"10.1034\/j.1600-0781.2003.00054.x","article-title":"Cutaneous effects of infrared radiation: From clinical observations to molecular response mechanisms, Photodermatol","volume":"19","author":"Schieke","year":"2003","journal-title":"Photoimmunol. Photomed."},{"key":"ref_63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"68","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms16010068","article-title":"Exposure to Non-Extreme Solar UV Daylight: Spectral Characterization, Effects on Skin and Photoprotection","volume":"16","author":"Marionnet","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Mol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_64","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"633","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clindermatol.2016.05.018","article-title":"Phototherapy in children: Considerations and indications","volume":"34","author":"Crall","year":"2016","journal-title":"Clin. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_65","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"150","DOI":"10.1111\/pde.13072","article-title":"Use of Phototherapy in Children","volume":"34","author":"Eustace","year":"2017","journal-title":"Pediatr. Dermatol."}],"container-title":["Life"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-1729\/13\/1\/196\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T18:04:57Z","timestamp":1760119497000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-1729\/13\/1\/196"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,1,9]]},"references-count":65,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,1]]}},"alternative-id":["life13010196"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/life13010196","relation":{},"ISSN":["2075-1729"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2075-1729","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,1,9]]}}}