Blue light therapy reducing keloid scar.

Keloid Breakthrough? How Blue Light Could Change Scar Treatment

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"Could a simple blue light device be the future of keloid scar reduction? New research explores the surprising potential of LED therapy."

Keloids, those raised, often itchy scars that form after skin injuries, are more than just a cosmetic concern. For many, they're a source of discomfort, self-consciousness, and a constant reminder of past trauma. Current treatments, ranging from steroid injections to surgery, often come with their own set of drawbacks, including limited effectiveness and potential side effects. This leaves many seeking better, less invasive solutions.

Now, a new avenue of research is offering a glimmer of hope: blue light LED therapy. While the use of light therapy in dermatology isn't new, its application to keloid treatment is just beginning to be explored. Initial studies suggest that specific wavelengths of blue light may influence cellular activity within the scar tissue, potentially leading to scar reduction and improved skin appearance.

This article delves into a fascinating in vitro study investigating the effects of 470 nm blue LED on keloid fibroblasts—the cells responsible for collagen production in scars. We'll break down the science, explore the potential benefits, and discuss what this could mean for the future of keloid treatment. Whether you're personally affected by keloids or simply interested in the latest dermatological advancements, this is a development worth watching.

The Science Behind the Light: How Blue LED Works on Scars

Blue light therapy reducing keloid scar.

The study, conducted by Brazilian researchers, focused on the in vitro effects of 470 nm blue LED on keloid fibroblasts. Fibroblasts were extracted from keloid tissue and adjacent skin from six patients. These cells were then exposed to varying doses of blue light (6J, 12J, and 18J) and observed for changes in cell count after 24 hours. The goal was to quantify how the blue light affected the proliferation (growth) of keloid fibroblasts compared to normal skin fibroblasts.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the key methods used:

Cell Extraction and Culturing: Fibroblasts were carefully extracted from both keloid and adjacent skin samples and grown in a controlled laboratory environment (DMEM culture medium) to ensure their viability and allow for observation.
Controlled Light Exposure: The cultured cells were then divided into groups and exposed to specific energy doses of 470nm blue LED light (6J, 12J, 18J) using specialized equipment, while a control group received no light exposure.
Cellular Analysis: After a 24-hour period, the cells were meticulously counted to determine if the blue light exposure had any impact on the number of keloid fibroblasts compared to the control group and the adjacent skin fibroblasts.

The results revealed that blue light LED therapy can reduce adjacent skin fibroblasts, but had no significant impact on keloid fibroblasts. These results suggest that while blue light may influence cellular activity, its effects may differ based on the type of cells and energy doses of light applied. While this research is preliminary, it shines a light on the potential for new therapeutic approaches for managing keloid scars.

The Future of Scar Treatment: Is Blue Light the Answer?

While this in vitro study provides intriguing insights, it's important to remember that it's just one piece of the puzzle. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of blue light LED therapy on keloids in living organisms. Clinical trials involving human participants are essential to confirm these findings and determine the optimal treatment parameters, including dosage, duration, and frequency. However, the initial results are encouraging, suggesting that blue light LED therapy may offer a safe, non-invasive, and potentially effective approach to keloid scar management. As research continues, we may see blue light becoming an increasingly common tool in the dermatologist's arsenal for improving skin health and reducing the burden of keloid scars.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0102-86502011000100006, Alternate LINK

Title: In Vitro Effect Of 470 Nm Led (Light Emitting Diode) In Keloid Fibroblasts

Subject: Surgery

Journal: Acta Cirurgica Brasileira

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Silvilena Bonatti, Bernardo Hochman, Vanina Monique Tucci-Viegas, Fabianne Furtado, Carlos Eduardo Pinfildi, Ana Carolina Pedro, Lydia Masako Ferreira

Published: 2011-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What methods did the researchers use to study the effects of blue light on keloid fibroblasts?

The study focused on the in vitro effects of 470 nm blue LED on keloid fibroblasts. Researchers extracted fibroblasts from keloid tissue and adjacent skin from six patients, exposing these cells to varying doses of blue light (6J, 12J, and 18J). The goal was to quantify how the blue light affected the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts compared to normal skin fibroblasts. The study involved cell extraction and culturing in a controlled laboratory environment using DMEM culture medium, controlled light exposure using specialized equipment, and cellular analysis to count cells after 24 hours.

What were the main findings regarding the impact of blue light on keloid and adjacent skin fibroblasts?

The study revealed that 470 nm blue LED therapy can reduce adjacent skin fibroblasts. However, the same blue light did not have a significant impact on keloid fibroblasts. This suggests that the effects of blue light may differ based on the type of cells and energy doses of light applied. This preliminary research highlights the potential for new therapeutic approaches for managing keloid scars, but further studies are needed to understand the full scope of its effects.

Why are keloids a concern, and what makes the investigation into blue light LED therapy significant?

Keloids are raised, often itchy scars that form after skin injuries. They are more than just a cosmetic concern, often causing discomfort and self-consciousness. Current treatments like steroid injections and surgery have limitations and potential side effects. The study explores 470 nm blue LED therapy as a potential non-invasive solution. This form of treatment is significant because it addresses the need for better, less invasive options for managing keloid scars.

What are the potential benefits of using blue light LED therapy for keloid scar management?

The study indicates that 470 nm blue LED therapy may offer a safe, non-invasive approach to keloid scar management by influencing cellular activity within the scar tissue. However, this is based on in vitro results, and clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings in living organisms. Further research should determine optimal treatment parameters, including dosage, duration, and frequency, to fully harness the potential benefits of blue light in dermatology.

What further research is necessary to fully understand and implement blue light therapy as a keloid treatment?

While the in vitro study provides promising insights, its results need to be confirmed through clinical trials involving human participants. Future studies should focus on understanding the long-term effects of 470 nm blue LED therapy on keloids, identifying the optimal treatment parameters (dosage, duration, frequency), and comparing its effectiveness to existing treatments. Further research will help determine whether blue light therapy can become a standard tool in dermatologists' practices for improving skin health and reducing the burden of keloid scars.