Light Therapy For Skin

Skin is the largest organ of our body. We tend to ignore it until annoyingly visible scars, pimples, acne (and what not) erupt on skin, making the skin feel not only painful but also ugly. Creams and lotions guarantee a temporary happiness, not ensuring that they won't return. Light therapy for skin is one of the technologies used in dermatology that uses infra red and ultra violet light techniques to cure skin conditions as mentioned above. They have been proved to be effective and in many cases, have provided a long-lasting relief.

Light Therapy for Acne
Acne on skin can be a very pesky matter for a woman. Not only that it pains, but it spoils the aesthetic look of a woman. Before understanding how light therapy for acne is effective, let's get to know whatever is acne. Acne (also synonymous with its types like acne vulgaris, acne conglobata, acne miliaris necrotica, etc.) is a follicular papule formation on skin. These skin eruptions attribute to various causes such as hormonal changes during adolescence, unhealthy eating habits, excess secretion of sebaceous glands of skin and external injuries. This is a painful skin condition not only for women but also for men. Many dermatologists suggest light therapy for such conditions.

In this treatment, a mixture of red and blue light is emitted by the bulbs fitted inside a lamp. The wavelength of the blue light is about 415 nm and that of red light is 660 nm. The lamp is usually provided with a pair of protective goggles (pertaining to the dangers of eyes exposed to ultraviolet blue light and infra red light). Usage of this lamp for 15 minutes a day will show significantly effective results within a few weeks.

Blue Light Therapy to Treat Skin Cancer
Blue light therapy, also known as Photodynamic therapy (PDT), is used in treatment of skin cancer. This photo therapy technology uses a photosensitizing drug (a drug that is activated by exposure to light) that emits activated oxygen molecules. Essentially, this therapy is a 3 step treatment.

• Firstly, the photosensitizer (which could be cream, liquid or intravenous drug) is applied on the patch of infected skin.
• Following this, there is an incubation period (which may start from a few minutes to few days).
• Finally, the photosensitizer is exposed to a specific wavelength of blue light which in turn activates the photo sensitizing medication.
• Now the target tissue is exposed to the activated photosensitizer, which aids in destroying the infected sections of the skin tissue.

This method is effective only if the cancerous growths on tissue are found close to the surface of the skin. Skin cancer treatments and cosmetic surgeries use this technique extensively.

LED Therapy for Skin
This therapy involves use of both infra red light and ultra violet light. LED light therapy uses LED to emit the light. Using infra red light therapy and ultra violet light in LED light therapy aids in tightening the skin and replenishing it with moisture. This therapy also enhances cellular metabolism in skin. Infra red light travels at a wavelength which can pass through tissue that is 1 inch deep. Injured cells respond positively to LED light therapy by producing more ATP molecules, thereby enhancing the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) activity. Ideal wavelengths for LED light therapy are: 610 - 625, 660 - 690, 750 - 770 and 815 - 860 nm.

LED therapy has proved beneficial for the following skin conditions:

• External sports injuries (in knees, ankles, shoulders etc..)
• Scrapes, burns, cuts on skin
• Acne and wrinkles
• Bursitis
• Dermatitis

In fact, this therapy helps in anti aging process by stimulating production of collagen in skin tissue. Collagen is primarily responsible for elasticity and firmness in skin. Hence most of the time, this is done for improving the cosmetic look and feel of the body. Also LED therapy for skin helps in retaining moisture within the skin.

Rather, this is one of the alternative medicines which has proved successful in curing many skin ailments. It is always better to get in touch with your dermatologist, who will assess your skin condition and suggest the appropriate therapy.