Philips is launching a wearable blue light therapy device that it says has been shown in clinical trials to reduce symptoms of mild to moderate cases of psoriasis vulgaris by as much as 50 percent.
The BlueControl device works by delivering the therapeutic blue light by means of UV-free LED lights when it's strapped onto the affected areas of the body.
"Research proves that blue LED light treatment slows down rapid cell division and can also reduce inflammation, says Matthias Born, Head of Clinical Affairs for Philips's Light and Health business.
Because the device is wearable, it glides into patients' daily routines, eliminating the need for time-consuming attention to treatment and reducing doctor's office visits.
In other good news, no negative side effects were observed in clinical trials in which BlueControl was tested, the company reports.
The device is being introduced to healthcare professionals at the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) Congress in Amsterdam, which runs through October 12.
After that, it will be available upon prescription through distributors in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK later in the month. Pricing information has not yet been revealed.
Psoriasis is an incurable chronic skin disease caused by rapid division of the skin cells, leaving scaly patches that can cause itching and discomfort.