Red Light Therapy

Red Light Therapy, LED Photorejuvenation, and Phototherapy are all terms used in the industry to describe the latest technology used by medical and skin care professionals to help clients reverse the signs of aging, combat acne and reveal healthier, more radiant looking skin.

The newest medical-grade, FDA approved red light therapy systems designed for home use include the powerful Baby Quasar and the new StarLite-LM Red Light Therapy System which produces healing red and infrared wavelengths to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and aging skin. Other home photofacial systems such as the ever popular Tanda Red Light Therapy System and the new ultra-compact ANSR System conveniently feature both acne-abolishing blue and red facial light therapy capability all in one single hand-held device.

The professional-grade DPL Red Light Therapy System manufactured by LED Technologies, features deep healing red and infrared wavelengths coupled with the convenience of "hands-free" operation. This powerful system also includes two over-sized red light treatment panels designed to treat every inch of the facial and neck area in one 9 minute session and was very recently approved by the FDA for the effective treatment of pain including the relief of muscle spasms and aches and the temporary relief of minor arthritic pains and stiffness. LED Technologies also recently introduced the new personal DPL® Nuve device which is a mini version of their somewhat less-portable but ultra-powerful DPL panel system. The DPL Nuve offers clients a compact handheld design with a large treatment head containing total of 60 powerful red and infrared LED's.

The power of red LED light energy activates the body's own natural rejuvenation processes to counteract the signs of aging by activating local cellular metabolism, promoting circulation and stimulating the skin's fibroblasts which leads to a natural increase in collagen and elastin production. Many recent studies have shown that the cellular and metabolic effects of Facial Light Therapy can fade age spots and freckles, help to refine fine lines and wrinkles, reduce redness and inflammation and promote brighter, smoother, more youthful-looking skin.

Red light therapy is a very gentle, non-invasive procedure, that only treats the needed areas while leaving the surrounding tissues unharmed. Treatment can be performed at home and does not result in downtime whereas more invasive procedures such as IPL or laser resurfacing do. These approaches to skin renewal rely on high-powered coherent light to create heat energy which can result in thermal injury to tissues. LED's signal the body to naturally convert light energy into cell energy without causing undue damage or discomfort.

Specific wavelengths stimulate specific responses in the body. Red wavelengths and certain infrared (non-visible) wavelengths increase cellular activity at the dermal level by targeting underlying hemoglobin. Cellular activity and energy levels fall as we age. With the delivery of the correct wavelengths of LED light, these dermal cells receive a rejuvenating, anti-aging boost from the light energy. This safe, painless, natural healing process converts light energy within skin cells, very similar to the way photosynthesis takes sunlight and turns it into food energy in plants.

The thermal (heat) activity generated by LED's enhances blood circulation, helping bring nutrients and cellular growth factors to the treated areas. Red and infrared light stimulate fibroblast and collagen production to strengthen sagging, wrinkled skin. These favorable cellular and metabolic effects can also remove age spots and dark pigmentation, repair broken capillaries, reduce inflammation, help to refine fine lines and wrinkles and leave your skin soft, smoothed, refreshed and healthy looking. Photofacial therapy also promotes faster healing of inflammatory acne, rosacea and areas of redness, with less post surgical or post trauma scarring.

Red light therapy is safe for all skin types and ages, there is no down time or recovery time and it is quickly becoming recognized by the skin care industry as one of the most effective and non-invasive ways to help rejuvenate and repair the skin .

Originally discovered by NASA about 40 years ago to stimulate plant growth, Red LED (Light Emitting Diode) Therapy was also found to encourage cell repair and and healing of injuries incurred by astronauts while in space. Even in a zero gravity environment, where cell growth is normally very slow, this red light energy was shown to stimulate the metabolism in muscle and bone as well as skin and subcutaneous tissue.

In 1960, Dr. Theodore G. Maiman invented the "Ruby Laser" which was incorporated into the first Laser instrument. The Ruby Laser emits light waves which are in phase with one another at 694 nm (nanometers) and that are so nearly parallel that they can travel for long distances without spreading. The ruby Laser was subsequently used to treat skin pigmentation problems and that pioneered the beginning of a new era of Photoelectric Medicine.

Recently, the field of cosmetology introduced a variety of new treatments which rely on the therapeutic effects of light at wave-lengths between visible light and infrared. LED (Light Emitting Diodes) therapy has shown strong efficacy for the treatment of wrinkles, sun damage, uneven skin tone, rosacea and inflammatory acne. After much research, Biologists have discovered that cells exposed to LED light grow an overwhelming "150 to 200 percent faster than those cells not stimulated by such light". LED's have the ability to increase energy inside cells which helps to speed up the healing process.

Most recently, red light energy has been used in the successful treatment of certain cancerous conditions and has been proven to stimulate wound healing. One of the latest newcomers to the red light therapy arena is the DPL Red Light Therapy System which features deep healing red and infrared wavelengths coupled with the convenience of "hands-free" operation and has recently been approved by the FDA for the effective treatment of pain including the relief of muscle spasms and aches and the temporary relief of minor arthritic pains and stiffness.

The results of a recent study by The American Academy of Dermatology using red light therapy revealed a "62 percent global improvement in the appearance of skin in the eye area, including a reduction of 26 percent in skin roughness, 30 percent in elastosis (or yellow, irregularly-thickened skin), 14 percent in pore size, and 25 percent in redness". Red Light Therapy has been shown to be an extremely safe and effective treatment option for patients looking to improve the appearance of aging and sun-damaged skin without any downtime where continued improvement is seen even months after treatment.

In another study conducted by the American Society For Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), 47 patients treated with an red LED device, showed an average 44 percent improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, skin tone and texture. Because red light therapy is safe, virtually painless and non-wounding, high patient satisfaction was noted among those treated for wrinkles and acne scars.

Dr. Harry Whelan, a leading Neurologist at the Wisconsin College of Medicine reports that the use of light energy from Light Emitting Diodes can increase the growth of healthy cells five times greater than the normal rate.

Treatments can be performed on any area of the body and have been shown to be especially effective in improving the appearance of the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. During treatment, precise wavelengths of light energy are selectively delivered through a handheld wand containing several LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) to the targeted area. Once delivered, this light energy is absorbed by the target (damaged tissue) and the production of collagen is then stimulated. The formation of new collagen has been shown to soften the appearance of aging skin.

Red Light Therapy is non-invasive, non-abrasive, does not cause inflammation and does not require any special post treatment procedures. The light produced by the LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) interacts with the body's own natural processes to stimulate collagen and elastin production (the proteins responsible for building the skin's strength and elasticity) in the cells and counteract the effects of aging. LEDs have been proven to safely and effectively penetrate the skin to encourage skin rejuvenation and do not cause downtime or discomfort. In fact, photofacial treatment is the new therapeutic approach to skin renewal that also promotes a sense of well-being and relaxation!

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and high powered laser are medical procedures that work by causing thermal damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue. These potentially dangerous and extremely costly procedures are performed only by trained medical professionals and can often result in extended downtime and discomfort.

Unlike some pulsed laser treatments, red light therapy is non-invasive, non-abrasive, does not cause inflammation and does not require any special post treatment procedures. LED technology is used throughout the world and its effectiveness and proven safety record is backed by numerous clinical studies.

Although there are no reported studies which conclude that Red LED Light is unsafe to look at, it is recommended that protective goggles still be used during treatments for precautionary reasons. If you accidentally look at the LEDs, no harm will be done but never stare into the direct line of light for extended intervals of time. Red Light Therapy is considered a safe, easy and gentle skin rejuvenation technology however the following precautions should always be taken:

 Do not use if pregnant, epileptic or taking cortisone or steroid injections
 Do not use on open sores, wounds or infected areas.
Avoid using AHA or Glycolic Acid products.

Produces An Instant Lift And Long-Term Facial Contouring.
Improves The Appearance Of Sun-Damaged Skin.
Heals Redness Caused By Acne, Rosacea and Eczema.
Encourages A Radiant, Even-Toned, Smooth Complexion.
Erases Appearance Of Fine Lines and Wrinkles.
Reduces Dark Under-Eye Circles.
Enhances Skin Firmness.

Red light therapy is an extremely safe and gentle non-invasive alternative to dramatic plastic surgery procedures, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, Collagen and Botox injections and other invasive treatments. The results can vary by individual and skin type, are gradual, and will not just "happen" over night. Although photofacial treatment has been known to produce an immediate and temporary rejuvenating effect, continued daily application will provide more cumulative long-term, lasting results.