Low level laser (light) therapy for skin rejuvenation
The business of having a more rejuvenated skin is never ending. Every single day new methods and technologies are being developed to ensure that all forms of premature aging are contained. Low level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) is one of the many treatments methods. It is a fast-growing technology used to treat a variety of health conditions that require stimulation of healing, relief of pain and inflammation, and restoration of function. It is very interesting to note that even though the skin is naturally exposed to light more than any other organ, it still responds well to red and near-infrared wavelengths. The photons are absorbed by mitochondrial chromospheres in skin cells. Consequently, electron transport, adenosine triphosphate nitric oxide release, blood flow, reactive oxygen species increase, and diverse signaling pathways are activated. Stem cells can be activated, allowing increased tissue repair and healing. In dermatology, Low level laser (light) therapy has beneficial effects on;
These benefits may not be very easy to understand how the come and that is why seeking the professional guidance will be very essential. Doctor Akoury a medical expert of more than two decades of experience founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where she has been offering skin care solutions to many people globally. Upon scheduling for an appointment with her she will tell you how Low level laser (light) therapy can be helpful in reducing UV damage both as a treatment and as a prophylactic measure. Like for instance in pigmentary disorders such as vitiligo, Low level laser (light) therapy can increase pigmentation by stimulating melanocyte proliferation and reduce depigmentation by inhibiting autoimmunity. Inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and acne can also be managed. The noninvasive nature and almost complete absence of side effects encourage further testing in dermatology.
Low level light therapy – remember that biological reaction to light is not something new in this industry. In many times we experience this through our eyes which are obviously photosensitive. The human vision is based upon light hitting our retinas and creating a chemical reaction which allows us to see. Furthermore we experience this with vitamin D synthesis in our skin due to sunlight creating biochemical reactions. We experience this with suntans due to the light of the sun stimulating our melanocytes to proliferate and give us “brown” skin. Light reacts chemically with other things as well. That is why hydrogen peroxide is stored in dark bottles so that light can’t get in and initiate a chemical degradation. Light can photo-chemically affect all things eventually in one way or another.
Low level laser (light) therapy does not induce heating in tissue like surgical or aesthetic lasers. It’s all in the photochemical reactions of certain wavelengths of light with our cell membranes, cellular organelles and enzymes. Compromised cells respond better than healthy cells to photochemical reactions so that brief treatments with low level light on damaged tissue can induce a complex chain of physiological reactions to enhance wound healing and tissue regeneration, reduce acute inflammation, treat chronic pain and even to make our skin look younger and more vibrant.
Red light accelerates hair growth. It has also been shown to biochemically melt fat cells. Low level infrared light has been shown to significantly enhance the recuperation of stroke victims by shining a low level laser that you can’t even see or feel on top of your head for a few minutes at a time. Sounds like magic doesn’t it? Well it is. It’s light and it does seem to have magical properties. The science of this “magic” has become increasingly better explained in recent years and it is apparent that this is a valid therapy for many conditions. In spite of the scientific validity of Low level laser (light) therapy there are still many commercial claims for devices that are not well supported and some are in fact just plain unbelieving. The message to take from this though is to not throw out the baby with the bathwater when confronted with some of the fringe claims of LLLT. It has substantial merit as a valid therapy.
It has been called many names over the years including bio-stimulation, Low level laser (light) therapy, cold laser therapy, and more recently photo-bio-modulation. Low level lasers have been the primary instruments but there are also non-laser light emitting diodes (LED’s) and other light sources that are used.
In the U.S. one sees these low level red, blue, yellow and infrared lights used in sports medicine clinics as part of the physical therapy to enhance healing of joint and soft tissue injuries such as arthritis treatment, carpal tunnel syndrome or athletic sprains and injuries. It has been used prior to radiation therapy in breast cancer to prevent the inflammatory dermatitis which is frequently associated with this.
The devices are employed as one of the therapy options in pain clinics to treat chronic pain, including shingles pain. Some units are even being sold to the home market for general treatment of muscular and joint “aches and pains”. It’s used for things like low back or cervical neck pain, and is good to consider for use in hard to manage problems like fibromyalgia.
As we bring this discussion to an end, it will be necessary that we discuss how cosmetic procedures have for several have impacted on people’s lives. This has been done in two ways using these two main approaches.
The first approach would involve cutting, removing, mechanically readjust or implant something such as:
- Facelift
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction
- Injectable fillers
- Chin implants and many others
The second approach is where you damage the skin in a controlled and limited way and wait, the skin would then remodel itself as it heals, leading to a firmer, smoother texture. This approach may include:
- Laser or plasma skin resurfacing
- Radio frequency treatment
- Fractional resurfacing
- Ultrasound
- Chemical peels and others
Like in all other treatment procedures, these two approaches have significant limitations as well.
- The first tends to be very expensive (as is typical for invasive procedures), often requires prolonged recovery, may produce major side effects and does not improve skin texture.
- The second one is also rather expensive, often requires some recovery time and not infrequently causes side effects, including significant ones, occasionally leaving the skin worse off than before.
Understandably, people have been searching for effective alternatives with favorable side effect profile yet without high costs and downtime. Finding such alternatives has not been easy. Topical agents may help to stave off the signs of aging and provide modest improvements but their effects tend to be neither quick nor dramatic. However skin needling appears promising and has a comparatively good side effect profile. However, some people find it unpleasant and also its popular DIY version may be less effective than the more aggressive and expensive professionally performed alternative.
Fortunately like we have indicated above, amidst these approaches low level laser (light) therapy seems to be very unique with very minimal side effects, no downtime, reasonable cost and a DIY option. Just for the a voidance of doubt low level laser (light) therapy is based on the ability of certain frequencies of visible and near infrared light to stimulate repair, renewal and remodeling of tissues, including the skin, as well as reduce inflammation and protect from certain types of tissue damage.
The main and best documented applications of low level laser (light) therapy in medicine are for tissue and nerve regeneration, wound healing as well as reducing pain and inflammation. More recently, low level laser (light) therapy has been used for skin rejuvenation. It has been reported to improve wrinkles and skin texture, reduce skin laxity and diminish scars. Some studies have established that it might also improve a number of skin conditions, including:
- Acne
- Certain pigmentation disorders
- Burns and
- Psoriasis
It is however important that you know that the findings about low level laser (light) therapy for skin rejuvenation and treatment is still under investigation and relatively immature. Besides that it is also important to note that low level laser (light) therapy is performed using either laser light or regular light. Laser light is different from regular light in that it is coherent (i. e. its constituent electromagnetic waves are synchronized) whereas regular light is not. Coherent light in LLLT devices is produced either by classical lasers or by laser diodes (a special type of light-emitting diodes or LED) whereas incoherent light is produced by regular LED. Finally this may look complicated but with the help of doctor Akoury you will be home and dry.
