The Skin the complications and the solutions
The skin is the largest organ in the body and collagen is one of its main components. As you age, collagen levels drop by 1% per year (per unit area of skin surface). This decrease can be seen in the form of wrinkling, loosening and sagging skin.
The ever-increasing demand for more beautiful skin is at a new high. In fact, the number of spa visits around the world has surpassed the 200 million mark per year. And it is estimated that the "beauty and anti-aging" market is worth almost 90 billion Euros. Not much at all, right? It is quite obvious that almost everyone wants a nicer tighter skin.
But there's more to our skin than just aesthetics. In fact, the skin is your body's largest organ and is incredibly important. It protects your body from outside influences, helps regulate moisture in your body and provides other important functions. But unfortunately, age comes with specific properties, and also for our skin. In addition to natural aging, which is accentuated by external factors, other skin-related problems can occur, such as infections, cancer, scars and other various conditions from acne to psoriasis. [1]
You will undoubtedly suffer from a skin problem during your life. And as you probably know, skin conditions can be painful, uncomfortable and bad for self-esteem. It is quite common to seek medical treatment that will alleviate the problem. Within traditional medicine, the therapeutic options depend on the type of skin problem you are trying to address. In most cases, to improve skin conditions and signs of aging, a doctor will use a wide variety of topical treatments and procedures, such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels. And just like other health problems, many people with uncomfortable skin problems also turn to natural remedies to find relief. These include essential oils, salt baths, herbal teas, supplements and masks.
But another alternative option - red and shortwave infrared light therapy - is growing in popularity within the aesthetic field. This treatment has been extensively studied for improving the skin and has become a prominent treatment in dermatology.
Red and shortwave infrared light therapy
Red and near infrared light have an effect on energy production in all cells of the body and therefore also on the skin. Daily treatments with a Norahlux lamp give your skin an energy boost. The healthy and healing rays stimulate the skin functions, resulting in better blood flow and more collagen is produced. There is also a better oxygen supply, higher skin moisture and elasticity of the skin, resulting in a reduction of wrinkles. Your skin will have a younger and fresher appearance!
Treatments with our Norahlux lamps can also have a healing effect on acne. Because there is better blood flow in the skin, the absorption of nutrients and the removal of waste is stimulated. In addition, the therapy reduces inflammation. By activating collagen, scars can also heal better and more beautifully.
A wealth of clinical research finds significant skin improvements from light therapy
Wrinkles and sagging skin is a normal phenomenon of aging. This is because the body will produce less collagen. But external influences also have an effect on the quality and health of our skin.
You may have heard that light damages the skin. This can certainly happen with UV light.
Prolonged exposure to the sun can be harmful to the skin. The photo below is of a truck driver whose left side was always exposed to sunlight. A clear difference with the right side that had less. That's what excessive sunlight can do.
But a therapy with red and short wave infrared light can actually change your skin in a positive way. Red light made with LED lamps can reverse skin damage caused by UV. [6]
Research shows that light therapy can both improve the appearance of the skin and heal the underlying problem causing the condition. When red and short wave infrared light are absorbed by the skin, it stimulates new skin cells to grow healthier, protects against damage and helps to heal a number of skin problems.[2]
Not surprisingly, there is a fair amount of clinical research that has shown specific benefits of light therapy for the skin. A comprehensive meta-analysis in a 2013 edition ofSeminars in Cutane Medicine and Surgery evaluated many ways in which light therapy can be used for the skin, some of which are described in the preceding paragraphs. [2]
As for acne, the same meta-analysis highlighted studies that found red and short-wave infrared light to be effective for treating acne. Significantly, it explains that red light affects sebum production, which contributes to acne, in addition to limiting cytokine, which affects skin inflammation.
Other important studies have also shown improvement in treating acne with RLT. [3 - 4]
The meta-analysis also showed that light therapy can resolve psoriasis in patients not helped by traditional treatments, improve pigmentation in patients with vitiligo disorder, and reduce herpes outbreaks. It also boosted healing and improved burns.
Overall, the authors of the meta-analysis noted that light therapy can be used for many skin problems due to its wide range of positive outcomes. It was particularly effective for healing and skin regeneration, as well as reducing inflammation and cellular necrosis.
This anti-aging specific meta-analysis reviewed several studies that showed that LED light therapy can reduce and even reverse the signs of aging in the skin. Red and shortwave infrared light have been shown to:
- stimulate collagen
- smooth out wrinkles
- improve tone
- as well as numerous other benefits.
Also noteworthy, while light therapy enhanced the skin's positive results, it also reduced an enzyme that contributes to skin damage.
A 2014 controlled study with photobiomodulation in lasersurgery also supported the use of red and shortwave infrared light therapy to treat skin aging. The treatment boosted collagen and participants experienced a better look and feel in their skin, which was supported by photos. Overall, researchers found light therapy to be safe and effective. [5]
RLT helps heal inflamed skin
In a study with 170 patients, it was concluded that the application of shortwave infrared light to areas of skin inflammation provides significant improvement.
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in the skin: stimulating, healing, restorative.
“Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) is a fast-growing technology used to treat a variety of conditions that require stimulation of healing, relief of pain and inflammation, and restoration of function. Although skin is naturally more exposed to light than any other organ, it still responds well to red and short-wave infrared wavelengths. The photons are absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores in skin cells. As a result, electron transport, release of adenosine triphosphate nitric oxide, blood flow, reactive oxygen components are increased and various signaling pathways are activated. Stem cells can be activated, enabling tissue repair and healing. In dermatology, LLLT has beneficial effects on wrinkles, acne scars, hypertrophic scars and burn healing. LLLT can reduce UV damage both as a treatment and as a prophylactic measure. In pigment disorders such as vitiligo, LLLT can increase pigmentation by stimulating melanocyte proliferation and reduce depigmentation by inhibiting autoimmunity. Inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and acne can also be managed. Its non-invasive nature and almost complete absence of side effects encourage further testing in dermatology.”Source: This study
Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, BAR 414 Wellman, Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 40 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Photobiomodulation can help accelerate wound healing
In a meta-analysis on wound healing studies done with LED and laser in different spectrums red and infrared, it was mainly investigated which intensity is best for the wound healing in question. The conclusion is that relatively low doses of light therapy in the optical window (the spectrum of light to which the body responds best) helps the body to heal wounds faster. [8]
The conclusion of this research is:
“The reviewed studies demonstrate that phototherapy, whether by LASER or LED, is an effective therapeutic modality to promote healing of skin wounds. The biological effects promoted by these therapeutic agents are similar and involve the decrease of inflammatory cells, increased fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis stimulation, granulation tissue formation and increased collagen synthesis. In addition to these effects, the radiation parameters are also comparable between LED and LASER. Importantly, the biological effects depend on such parameters, especially wavelength and dose, highlighting the importance of determining an appropriate treatment protocol.”Source: This study
The consensus is clear:
Numerous clinical studies provide solid evidence that light therapy is an effective skin treatment
A plethora of clinical studies have shown that red and short wave infrared light therapy benefits the skin while reducing potential problems. But it is essential to use the right wavelengths within the red and shortwave infrared spectrum, together with an optimal light intensity. A device such as a NorahLux allows for short and effective treatment times in the comfort of your own home.
Scientific sources and medical references:
structure and function of the skin. Merck manual.
Comparison of low-level red and infrared laser therapy in the treatment of vulgarisal acne.
Effects of low-energy light therapy on wound healing: LASER x LED.
low-level laser therapy in skeletal muscle fatigue in humans: which is better?
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