What Is Light Therapy Used For
Light Therapy for Skin Care and Beauty
As weve seen, different light therapies can be helpful for different skin conditions, skin care, and beauty. However, since they are so closely related, it can be confusing as to which light therapy is right for which skin condition.
In general, light therapy and their applications breaks down as follows:
- UV light helps reduce inflammation
- Blue light therapy helps kill bacteria that causes acne
- Red light therapy helps reduce wrinkles, fine lines and sun damage
- Yellow light therapy helps with the overall health of the skin
- Infrared light helps reduce inflammation, increase collagen production and stimulate healing of damaged tissues
Light Therapy for Mental Health
Light therapy that uses bright, visible light is used to help treat mental health issues such as Seasonal Affective Disorder and insomnia.
Light Therapy and FemTech
Infrared and red light therapy can be helpful in the FemTech space. Both of these light therapies have been shown to help with menstrual cramps as they both work to increase local circulation.
Light Therapy for Improved Circulation
Infrared light and red light have both been shown to improve local circulation where the light is applied to the body. Increased circulation causes many benefits, such as improved cellular oxygenation, thermoregulation and increased endurance, stamina and strength.
Infrared Light Therapy in Textiles
Red And Blue Light Therapy For Acne Treatment
Combining red and blue light therapy treats acne more efficiently than blue light alone: as blue light destroys the acne-causing bacteria beneath the skins surface, the red light reduces inflammation and accelerates healing.
Before and After Acne Treatment Photo
What Is The Difference Between Blue And Red Light Therapy
Light therapy is touted as an alternative treatment for several diseases and conditions. The difference between blue and red light therapy lies in the diseases they help treat. Blue light therapy helps treat Seasonal Affective Disorder , depression, and some skin disorders. Red light therapy is used to treat acne, accelerate wound healing, and reduce the appearance of scars.
Blue and red light therapy both administer wavelengths of light to the patient through a variety of light sources. This is done through the use of light boxes, lamps, and light-emitting wands. They work by having the patient sit in front of the lighted box for a prescribed amount of time or directing the light at a specific spot. Instruments related to administering blue and red light therapy can range in price from affordable to expensive, depending on the type and manufacturer.
The treatment of depression and other mental disorders are the most common uses of blue light. A certain type of depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder , has been shown to benefit from the use of blue light therapy. The use of blue light therapy can help patients reduce the need for prescription antidepressants when used as directed.
Blue light therapy can also offer skin care benefits. By killing bacteria, blue light therapy can help treat and prevent acne. In addition to using blue light therapy, patients are also directed to follow a proper cleansing routine.
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What Does Red Light Therapy Do For Your Skin
Although much safer on the eyes than conventional lasers, proper eye security might be needed while going through red light treatment. RLT has shown appealing lead to treating some skin problem, but within the clinical neighborhood, there’s very little consensus about the treatment’s advantages. Based upon the current research, you might find that RLT is a great tool to include to your skin care routines.
You can easily acquire red light devices online, but it’s best to get a medical professional’s viewpoint on any symptoms before you try to self-treat – red light therapy reviews . Remember that RLT isn’t FDA-approved for the majority of conditions or covered by insurance provider. Any severe condition, like psoriasis, arthritis, slow-healing injuries, or discomfort should be inspected out by a medical professional.
Traffic signal therapy intends to resolve skin concerns by using low wavelength traffic signal. Numerous professionals think that it can assist with problems such as skin problem, scarring, and indications of aging consisting of wrinkles and age areas. There is some proof to support a number of these claims, however RLT is no wonder cure.
Does Led Light Therapy Promote Healing After Plastic Surgery
Yes, it does. It accelerates healing, reduces scarring and prevents bruising. Experts recommend treatment at least one day prior to surgery and for at least three consecutive days following surgery.
At The Breslow Center in Paramus, New Jersey we offer treatments using the Celluma Elite, a stand-mounted lamp thats perfect for use where very precise positioning is required following surgery and deep ablative procedures.
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Eye Health And Conditions
Eye conditions like dry eye syndrome and vitreous floaters can be treated with red light therapy. Because red light therapy enhances hydration, dry eyes can be relieved. Vitreous floaters occur when bits of collagen detach from the retina of your eye. Because red light therapy increases collagen production and quality, the occurrence of floaters is reduced.
Blue light, conversely, is thought to be one of the potential causes of dry eyes. Prolonged screen time in front of a television or computer can cause your eyes to lose lubrication and become irritated.
Cellular and mitochondrial functions factor into most eye diseases. For this reason, the following eye diseases can benefit from red light therapy:
The blue light used in therapy is typically more intense than that which is emitted from electronic devices. Blue light therapy is useful for skin treatment but not eye treatment. Blue light can damage your optic nerve, harm the lens of your eye, cause corneal or retinal damage, and even damage your DNA. Eye protection from blue light is recommended.
How Long Are Light Therapy Treatments
Treatment time can vary from patient to patient, depending on their needs. The number of treatment sessions needed can also vary by patient need. While some patients realize their desired results after a single light therapy session, usually patients will need multiple treatment sessions of a specified period.
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What Is Red Light Therapy
Red light boosts blood flow while spurring the production of collagen and adenosine triphosphate , improving skin tone and texture. Infrared light and red light work in combination to create a regenerating effect in aging skin. This light has a longer wavelength, enabling it to penetrate deeper into the skin than blue light.
What Happens During In
After putting on your goggles, lie on your back as your healthcare provider places the LED light therapy device above your face. Lie still during the entire treatment as the device works. The treatment usually lasts about 20 minutes.
LED light therapy is a non-invasive, painless treatment. During treatment, you might feel some warmth but no discomfort.
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What Conditions Can Light Therapy Treat
Light therapy has the ability to address a variety of medical and cosmetic skin issues including:
Your physician may recommend incorporating a topical medication in conjunction with the light therapy treatment in order to make the targeted area more sensitive to the light, resulting in a more effective treatment.
Top Light Therapy Researchers
There are several leading researchers in the field of low-level light therapy . Dr. Tina Karu conducted ground-breaking early work in this area.
In her 2008 paper Mitochondrial Signaling in Mammalian Cells Activated by Red and Near-Infrared Radiation, she explains that Photobiomodulation uses monochromatic and quasimonochromatic light in the optical region of 6001000 nm from lasers and light-emitting diodes to treat in a nondestructive and nonthermal fashion various soft tissue and neurologic conditions . Nowadays it is thought that this kind of treatment is based on the ability of light to alter cell metabolism as a result of its being absorbed by mitochondria and cytochrome c oxidase in particular .
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And Even More Research
In another paper, Low-Level Light Therapy with Light-Emitting Diodes for the Aging Face by R. Glen Calderhead, MSc, PhD, David B. Vasily, MDb, Dr. Karus findings are again quoted The preeminent Russian photobiologist Tiina Karu has identified the photo-biomodulation band at around 620 nm visible red to around 1000 nm in the near infrared based on the data seen in Fig. 4, the reader will understand why: minimal absorption in competing chromophores will allow deeper penetration with absorption in nonpigmented chromophores, such as cytochrome c oxidase for visible light and elements on the cell membrane for infrared light.10.
What Is An Led Light
LED light therapy is the use of varying wavelengths as a skin-care treatment.
The light is stimulating the cells to speed up activity to produce collagen , calm inflammation, remove waste by increased lymph activity , and quicker healing of the skin, Kibildis says.
Chapas also says different wavelengths can be used to reduce acne, grow hair, and reduce inflammation. How quickly you see results depends on the wavelength, which is the strength or measurement of the light being used.
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Procedure For Led Light Therapy
According to EstheticianEDU, each LED light therapy treatment lasts about 20 minutes. Youll likely need up to 10 treatments total, depending on the results youre looking to achieve.
Some providers have you lie down directly under the lights, while others use LED light-infused wands directly over your skin. The choice often depends on the office, as well as the treatment area.
Red Vs Blue: The Differences Of Light Therapy
All light is made up of different wavelengths, each representing a colour of the rainbow. In fact, a rainbow is just white light refracting through water droplets in the atmosphere. This phenomenon allows the wavelengths of light to be visible to the human eye from red to violet, all the way! Specific colours of light can be beneficial to human skin, such as blue and red. Read on for Beauty Rewinds guide to Red Light Therapy and Blue Light Therapy.
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Lighter And Smoother Skin
An excess amount of melanin, the pigment that determines hair and skin colour, causes dark spots to appear on the skin. When you step into a Dr. Müller Beauty Light Therapy device, the melanin absorbs the green light that the device emits. As a result, the body recognises the melanin particles that the light breaks down and discards them. Leaving you with clearer skin and lighter skin tone.
Mild To Moderate Acne
One of the main benefits of blue light therapy is that it can kill acne-causing bacteria, which makes it a popular way of treating this chronic and emotionally devastating condition. Blue light may be used in conjunction with other therapies, but it is typically recommended for only mild to moderate acne, not the most severe cases.
One acne study involved 18 female and three male participants with an average age of 15 years. The study found that LED blue light therapy effectively treated mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne on the face.
Another small study on acne followed 28 participants who applied blue LED light in conjunction with a foam cleanser and a skin rebuilding serum. The study showed that by week eight, nearly all participants reported improvements in their skin’s overall appearance, and most were satisfied with the treatment.
Finally, a small study conducted in 2010 suggests that blue LED light therapy is safe and may promote biological effects similar to UVA light, which has been used as an acne treatment and to treat chronic skin conditions such as rosacea, and psoriasis.
This is far less exposure to blue wavelengths than the average person receives in a normal week, especially if they work in locations with fluorescent lighting or if they often use electronics after sundown.
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What To Expect During A Led Light Therapy
If you decide to get an LED treatment along with a massage or facial at a spa, you don’t have to do much but lie there. “We place LED panels a few inches away from the patient’s face,” says Nazarian. “Eye protection is also placed as the lights are quite bright. We treat for about 15 to 20 minutes. At first, it feels warm, but patients report liking the feeling.” The light doesn’t cause any burns or skin damage. It’s pretty much painless, and if you like lights, the colors can even be relaxing.
Physical Fitness Athletic Performance Muscle
The increased cellular energy and ATP provided by red light therapy boost your overall bodily energy. This leads to increased stamina, strength, and endurance, allowing you to perform at your optimal athletic level. Muscle growth is another natural result.
Better circulation and oxygenation allow you to work out harder while experiencing less exhaustion and tissue injury, thus leading to faster post-workout recovery times .
Because blue light only works near the surface of your body, none of these biochemical changes are triggered. Deep tissue is not affected.
Only red light therapy, not blue, is effective for building muscle mass, helping you reach your peak physical fitness and athletic performance levels, and allowing for quicker recovery after exercise.
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What Light Therapy Does For You
Light has a biological effect on the human body. The sun, which is full-spectrum light, makes us feel happy, regulates our sleep-wake cycle, and synthesizes Vitamin D. Sunlight also has lesser-known effects, such as suppression of local autoimmune responses, which is why ultraviolet light is sometimes used to treat chronic skin conditions.
Today, it is widely known that UV light is both beneficial and dangerous. This has led to research into how specific wavelengths of visible and invisible light affect the body.
The most common wavelengths used in skincare are blue, red, and near-infrared . Red light therapy is a term that encompasses both red and NIR light.
Red and blue light therapy using LED devices are commonly used to improve skin health, although the two wavelength groups have very different effects.
Let’s dive into blue light first, and then explore the ways that combined LED light therapy devices will give you great results.
Blue Light Vs Red Light Therapy
Light therapy has emerged as one of the safest and most effective treatments for many common health conditions, including depression, skin issues, insomnia, and pain.
But with so many options available on the market , its tough to know whats right for you.
Many readers present with the same questions: What is blue light? How does blue light therapy help your skin? What does the treatment involve?
In this article, well give you those answers and explore everything you need to know as you embark on your blue light therapy journey.
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What Is Led Therapy
LED light therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive at-home skincare treatment to improve the appearance of your skin. By emitting certain wavelengths of light, LED therapy can target specific skin concerns to leave you with a refreshed complexion.
From boosting collagen production and elastin to reducing inflammation, there are many benefits to using an at-home LED device. Light therapy can treat:
Do You Have To Wear Goggles In Red Light Therapy
While UV rays are known to cause damage to the human eye, its not required that you wear google during red light therapy. However, there is always a potential risk involved so goggles are recommended during any treatment. Red light is also very bright so many people with light sensitivities may feel uncomfortable during treatment if they neglect to wear eye protection. To be safe, make sure you have goggles available and use them regularly.
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For Energy: Blue Light Therpy
Exposure to blue light during the day can make you feel more alert and improve reaction time, focus, and productivity, according to research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Photo receptors in the eye, which link to the areas of the brain that control alertness, are most sensitive to blue light. Therefore, when blue light hits them, the receptors set off activity in those brain regions, making you more energized,” says Shadab A. Rahman, Ph.D., the study’s author.
Another perk: Daytime exposure may protect your z’s from the disruptive effects of blue light at night, a study from Uppsala University in Sweden found. “When you get a lot of bright light during the day, levels of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy, are suppressed,” study author Frida Rangtell says. “In the evening, melatonin increases sharply, and nighttime blue-light exposure has less of an impact.” Boost your productivity and safeguard your sleep by placing the blue-enriched Philips GoLite Blu Energy Light on your desk. And sit or stand by the windows or go outside as often as possible every day for an extra dose of bright natural light, which contains blue rays.
Reduction Of Hyperpigmentation And Age Spots
Aside from reducing fine lines and wrinkles, Bright Skin Light has also been found to be highly useful in the treatment of age spots and hyperpigmentation. Instead of fading dark spots, freckles, and other age-related skin issues, it is recommended to use a light therapy device, such as the Dr. Müller Beauty Light Therapy. The green light inside the Dr. Müller machine reduces these blemishes and creates a barrier that will decrease the chance of such skin blemishes of reoccurring in the future.
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