Chromophore gel-assisted phototherapy

Phototherapy has been a mainstay in dermatology for many years. The field has been accompanied by tremendous developments in both the type of light used and the method of how light is delivered to the skin. Chromophore gel-assisted phototherapy is a novel type of photobiomodulation therapy using low-energy light-emitting diode (LED) blue light in combination with a chromophore gel. Upon exposure to blue LED light, chromophore gel functions as a photoconverter and starts emitting fluorescent light penetrating from epidermal to dermal layers of the skin. So far this strategy has been used successfully and shown its anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect (against Propionibacterium acnes) for the treatment of moderate to severe acne and skin rejuvenation. However, the therapeutic benefit of this system is not restricted to these indications. The therapy is well tolerated and safe. Adverse events are mild and are restricted to transient erythema, and pruritus, skin hyperpigmentation, and hair color lightening, and happen in less than 5% of treated patients. Other inflammatory skin disorders such as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and wound healing are potential future fields warranting more studies.