Blue LED’s* have not only revolutionised energy efficient lighting but they have also made possible a remarkable treatment for acne that affects 80% of young people. Cambridge-based light therapy specialist Lumie worked with leading dermatologists to develop Lumie Clear, a hand-held device for the natural treatment of acne that combines blue and red light therapy.
Lumie CEO Jonathan Cridland says that The Nobel Prize awarded to Professors Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for their ground breaking work is well deserved: “As a company that specialises in light therapy based on this research, it’s fantastic to see the work of these scientists being recognised in this way.”
Professors Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura made the first blue LEDs in the early 1990s and their invention is now being recognised. White and red LEDs have been around for longer but the blue variant had proved more difficult to develop.
LEDs have a multitude of uses from energy efficient lighting - which Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura’s more recent research has made possible - to electronic gadgets and medical technology, such as Lumie Clear. The device was developed with input from the research team of leading dermatologist Dr Tony Chu at HammersmithHospital, London**.
In clinical trials at Imperial College of Science, London, a combination of blue and red light was shown to be most effective. Blue light penetrates the pores of the skin to destroy the bacteria that causes acne and the red light soothes inflammation and heals the skin. Those using combination blue-red light therapy saw a real difference after four weeks and at 12 weeks their skin was, on average, 76% less inflamed and 56% clearer.
Light therapy is a non-invasive method to treat mild to moderate acne and is widely used in spas and dermatology clinics. Lumie Clear was developed to offer the benefits of this treatment in the home, with a noticeable improvement in four weeks.
LEDs have a wide range of uses in today’s world, for example inside lights, mobile phones and TV screens, and their usefulness was emphasised by the Nobel jury when they made their announcement.
Lumie Clear is available from Boots, Amazon, Argos and Lumie.com. If bought through Lumie, it comes with a 45-day money back guarantee.
*Light Emitting Diodes
**Br J Dermatol, 2000 May; 142(5);973-8.
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