Philips launches its second generation wearable medical device for skin disease treatment. (All Photo Courtesy of Philips)

Philips today marked World Psoriasis Day with the launch of Philips BlueControl 2.0, the second generation of its innovative wearable medical device¹ that uses UV-free blue LED light to control symptoms of mild to moderate cases of plaque psoriasis². After its successful launch in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK end of last year, and France earlier this year, the new generation of this clinically tested^3,4 medical device has been developed based on user insights and feedback. Philips BlueControl 2.0 is now also available in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland and will be introduced in the coming months to Poland, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Hong Kong. New markets like Israel and Italy will follow in the course of 2016.

The device uses UV- free blue light to control symptoms of mild to moderate cases of plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis affects around 125 million people worldwide, of which 80 percent suffer from the most common form, psoriasis vulgaris (plaque psoriasis). This is a condition caused by the overly rapid division of skin cells accompanied by painful inflammation. The physical and psychological effects of the skin disease can be debilitating, with patients suffering from scaly red plaques and peeling on visible parts of the body⁵. Psoriasis vulgaris is an incurable chronic skin disease, so the plaques are recurring. Even if the disease symptoms are reduced or cleared during treatment, they can reappear on another area of the skin.

The treatment kit of Philips BlueControl 2.0.

Blue light addresses plaque symptoms by inducing natural processes in the skin. It helps skin to renew itself properly by slowing the accelerated production of skin cells associated with plaque psoriasis⁶. With its anti-inflammatory properties, blue light controls unregulated inflammation and can alleviate the symptoms of affected skin⁷. Philips BlueControl is a gentle, UV-free phototherapy device that gives patients the clinically proven benefits of blue LED light without interrupting their normal daily routines. The visible light induces natural processes in the skin to significantly reduce symptoms such as redness, scaling and thickness. The product has been developed to be easily integrated into a patient’s daily routine and reduces the need for physician’ visits. Worn simply by adjusting a strap on affected arms, legs, elbows and knees, the UV-free blue LED light therapy is enabled by 40 high-intensity blue LEDs with tailored light settings. Designed with the patient in mind, the battery-driven device can be used anytime and anywhere.

This second generation device features the following improvements: a larger treatment area (approx. 25 percent), a more comfortable fixation strap, a thinner device and a longer battery life (lasting for four treatments in a row). One user of BlueControl reacted: “I would definitely recommend BlueControl to a friend. It is such a clean treatment with no grease and no risks of UV-light. And most importantly, it works!” Another user commented: “What made me try BlueControl was simply the statistic of how many people were compliant in the clinical study (98 percent) and followed the therapy recommendations. I don’t care about any other clinical statistic. When patients are actually following the treatment instructions as they are supposed to, that is the best proof that it works.”

Philips conducted two clinical trials in partnership with the University Hospital of Aachen to investigate the efficacy and safety of Philips BlueControl to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis vulgaris. In the second long-term trial, patients were treated for twelve weeks. 84 percent of patients showed an improvement in plaque symptoms (thickness, redness and scaling) compared to the beginning of the trial. In some cases, complete clearance of the plaque was observed. 83 percent of patients rated the usability and comfort of the device as ideal or excellent4

In recent years, Philips has been using (blue LED) light therapy for medical treatments in more product applications such as Connected BlueTouch, a wireless, wearable patch to relieve muscular back pain. For more information on the price and availability of Philips BlueControl, please visit www.blueledtherapy.philips.com. Follow @Philips or @PhilipsBlueLED on Twitter and join the discussion using #WPD15.

_{¹ Class IIa European CE Certificate.
² 'About Psoriasis” Accessed October, 2015. http://www.worldpsoriasisday.com/web/page.aspx?refid=114.
³ Weinstabl, A., et al. Dermatology,2011; 223(3): 251 – 9.
⁴ Pfaff S et al.Dermatology. 2015; 231: 24-34.
⁵ Schmid-Ott G, et al. Hautarzt. 2005; 56: 466 – 72.
⁶ Liebmann J, Born M, Kolb-Bachofen MV. JID. 2010; 130: 259 – 269.
⁷ Fischer M et al. Experimental Dermatology. 2013; 22:554 – 563.}