Skin Health and Light! Great full length study & article on low level light application and skin health. This goes in detail about scarring, inflammation, vitiligo, acne, herpes, pigmentation, and skin disease and finds that shining the right spectrum of low level light like that from light emitting diodes “appears to have a wide range of applications of use in dermatology, especially in indications where stimulation of healing, reduction of inflammation, reduction of cell death and skin rejuvenation are required.” Shine with light for healthy skin.
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring
Pinar Avci, MD,1,2 Asheesh Gupta, PhD,1,2,3 Magesh Sadasivam, MTech,1,2,5 Daniela Vecchio, PhD,1,2 Zeev Pam, MD,4 Nadav Pam, MD,4 and Michael R Hamblin, PhD1,2,5,*
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The publisher’s final edited version of this article is available at Semin Cutan Med Surg
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Abstract
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) is a fast-growing technology used to treat a multitude of conditions that require stimulation of healing, relief of pain and inflammation, and restoration of function. Although the skin is the organ that 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 chromophores in skin cells. Consequently electron transport, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) nitric oxide release, blood flow, reactive oxygen species increase and diverse signaling pathways get activated. Stem cells can be activated allowing increased tissue repair and healing. In dermatology, LLLT has beneficial effects on wrinkles, acne scars, hypertrophic scars, and healing of burns. LLLT can reduce UV damage both as a treatment and as a prophylaxis. In pigmentary 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 benefit. The non-invasive nature and almost complete absence of side-effects encourages further testing in dermatology.
Keywords: Acne, Dermatology, Herpes, Laser, LLLT, Low level laser therapy, Phototherapy, Skin disease, Skin Rejuvenation, Pigmentation, Vitiligo