A constant victim of media scrutiny, blue light has recently received a lot of negative press with regards to its damaging effects to the skin. Side effects such as hyperpigmentation and oxidative stress have been found to be associated with the exposure of blue-violet light to the skin. A topic picked up by just about every trendy beauty blog, the dangers of blue light exposure from screens is becoming increasingly prevalent. Raw material companies and cosmetic brands alike have even begun to release products aimed at protecting consumers from the harmful effects. Despite its bad reputation a minority praises blue light for its few benefits. Already well known to assist with the regulation of circadian rhythm, blue light may soon have even more people singing its praise. In a strange twist of events, a recent study has highlighted the potential of blue light to aid in the treatment of hypertension- better known as high blood pressure.
The study was performed by the University of Surrey and involved the irradiation of subjects with whole-body blue light at 450nm, roughly comparable to that of a dose of sunlight. Unlike its cousin ultraviolet (UV) light, blue light is non-carcinogenic and does not share the potential cancer-causing concerns. The results of the study showcased a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure comparable to the effects seen with medication targeted to have similar effects for those with hypertension.
A surprise to the unassuming consumer, blue light’s reputation may see a shift from positive to negative as more and more studies are aimed at finding natural treatments to common physical ailments and shortcomings. A potential solution to those who are difficult to treat with oral pill form solutions for hypertension, this study showcases a potential solution to a common disorder that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year.
For more information, please contact Focal Point Research Inc. We are leading North American Regulatory and New Product Consultants for Medical Devices, Natural Health Products, OTC Drugs, Cosmetics, and other consumer products regulated by Health Canada and the U.S. FDA.
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