The Bioscience of Red Light,

Your Cells, and Rosacea 

It shouldn’t be a surprise that our bodies are affected by light, or that light can have a beneficial effect on our bodily systems.  Granted, plants are much better than people at utilizing light energy through photosynthesis.  But consider this: for much of human history, the primary source of Vitamin D—an absolutely essential nutrient—was exposure to sunlight (not fortified milk).

How does this work?

The light photons in sunlight act in a specific way on the cells in our bodies, stimulating them to produce Vitamin D, which we then use to support our immune systems and bones.  Kind of impressive when you think about it.

The light energy emitted by your Soothing Rain™ Light Unit also acts in a specific way to stimulate a beneficial cellular response.

However, the sun produces very broad spectrum light—it contains a lot of infrared (invisible) heat energy and also the damaging UV rays that cause skin burns.  These are two things those of us with sensitive rosacea skin are keen to avoid.

So when the Soothing Rain™ Light Unit was designed, the specific wavelength of light was carefully chosen to maximize the biostimulatory effect—its positive action on cellular function—while having zero UV and heat-producing light.  It’s totally gentle while being maximally effective.

But don’t take our word for it!  

Below are several peer-reviewed clinical studies documenting the benefits of low-level red light therapy for treating disease and promoting healthier, younger-looking skin.

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Jung Im Na, MD, Dae Hun Suh, MD, PHD / Dermatologic Surgery Volume 33, Issue 10, pages 1228–1233, October 2007

Abstract:

Background: Recently, a demand for safe and effective treatment of acne has been increasing. Although visible light has attracted attention as a new option, the effect of red light alone has not yet been evaluated. Objectives: The objective was to assess the efficacy of red light phototherapy with a portable device in acne vulgaris. Methods: Twenty-eight volunteers with mild to moderate acne were treated with portable red light–emitting devices in this split-face randomized trial. The right or left side of the face was randomized to treatment side and phototherapy was performed for 15minutes twice a day for 8 weeks. Clinical photographs, lesion counts, and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to assess each side of the face at baseline and Weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8, and a split-face comparison was performed. Results: The percent improvement in non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts of the treated side was significant compared to the control side (p<.005). VAS decreased from 3.9 to 1.9 on the treatment side and the difference between the treatment and control sides was significant at Week 8 (p<.005). Conclusions: This study shows that red light phototherapy alone can be a new therapeutic option for acne vulgaris.
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S.Y. Lee et al. / Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology 88 (2007) 51–67

Abstract:

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are considered to be effective in skin rejuvenation. We investigated the clinical efficacy of LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation through the comparison with three different treatment parameters and a control, and also examined the LED-induced histological, ultrastructural, and biochemical changes. Seventy-six patients with facial wrinkles were treated with quasimonochromatic LED devices on the right half of their faces. All subjects were randomly divided into four groups treated with either830 nm alone, 633 nm alone, a combination of 830 and 633 nm, or a sham treatment light, twice a week for four weeks. Serial photography, profilometry, and objective measurements of the skin elasticity and melanin were performed during the treatment period with a three-month follow-up period. The subjects’ and investigators’ assessments were double-blinded. Skin specimens were evaluated for the histologic and ultrastructural changes, alteration in the status of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), and the changes in the mRNA levels of IL-1ß, TNF-a, ICAM-1, IL-6 and connexin 43 (Cx43), by utilizing specific stains, TEM, immunohistochemistry, and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. In the results, objectively measured data showed significant reductions of wrinkles (maximum: 36%) and increases of skin elasticity (maximum: 19%) compared to baseline on the treated face in the three treatment groups. Histologically, a marked increase in the amount of collagen and elastic fibers in all treatment groups was observed. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated highly activated fibroblasts, surrounded by abundant elastic and collagen fibers. Immunohistochemistry showed an increase of TIMP-1 and 2. RT-PCR results showed the mRNA levels of IL-1ß, TNF-a, ICAM-1, and Cx43 increased after LED phototherapy whereas that of IL-6 decreased. This therapy was well-tolerated by all patients with no adverse effects. We concluded that 830 and 633 nm LED phototherapy is an effective approach for skin rejuvenation.

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Andrei P. Sommer, Ph.D., and Dan Zhu, M.Sc. / Photomedicine and Laser Surgery
Volume 27, Number 6, 2009

Abstract:
Objective: Juvenile skin has been the subject of intense research efforts since ancient times. This article reports on synergistic complementarities in the biological actions of green tea and red light, which inspired the design of a green tea–assisted facial rejuvenation program. Background Data: The approach is based on previous laboratory experiments providing insight into a mechanism by which visible light interacts with cells and their microenvironment. Methods: After 2 months of extreme oxidative stress, green tea–filled cotton pads were placed once per day for 20 minutes onto the skin before treatment with an array of light-emitting diodes (central wavelength 670 nm, dermal dose 4 J=cm2). Results: Rejuvenated skin, reduced wrinkle levels, and juvenile complexion, previously realized in 10 months of light treatment alone were realized in 1 month. Conclusion: The accelerated skin rejuvenation based on the interplay of the physicochemical and biological effects of light with the reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity of green tea extends the action spectrum of phototherapy. The duo opens the gate to a multitude of possible biomedical light applications and cosmetic formulas, including reversal of topical deterioration related to excess reactive oxygen species, such as graying of hair.
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Mira Choi, Se Young Na, Soyun Cho, and Jong Hee Lee / J Korean Med Sci 2011; 26: 454-456

Abstract:
Low level laser or light treatment on the various clinical condition is getting considerable attention now. However, there has been no report about the clinical effect of low level polarized polychromatic noncoherent light (LPPL) on the inflammatory skin disease. We experienced a case of acrodermatitis continua in a pregnant woman refractory to any conventional treatment including the most potent topical steroid. She was successfully treated with LPPL. LPPL could be a possible treatment modality producing substantial clinical result in inflammatory skin condition without any side-effect.
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Harry T. Whelan, et al. / Space Technology and Applications International Forum-2001

Abstract:
This work is supported and managed through the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center – SBIR Program. LED-technology developed for NASA plant growth experiments in space shows promise for delivering light deep into tissues of the body to promote wound healing and human tissue growth. We present the results of LED-treatment of cells grown in culture and the effects of LEDs on patients’ chronic and acute wounds. LED-technology is also biologically optimal for photodynamic therapy of cancer and we discuss our successes using LEDs in conjunction with light-activated chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Andrei P. Sommer, et al / Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery Volume 19, Number 1, 2001

Abstract:
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and to formulate physically an irreducible set of irradiation parameters that could be relevant in the achieving reproducible light-induced effects in biological systems, both in vitro and in vivo. Background Data: Light–tissue interaction studies focusing on the evaluation of irradiation thresholds are basic for the extensively growing applications for medical lasers and related light-emitting systems. These thresholds are of central interest in the rejuvenation of collagens, photorefractive keratectomy, and wound healing. Methods: There is ample evidence that the action of light in biological systems depends at least on two threshold parameters: the energy density and the intensity. Depending on the particular light delivery system coupled to an irradiation source, the mean energy density and the local intensity have to be determined separately using adequate experimental methods. Results: From the observations of different research groups and our own observations, we conclude that the threshold parameters energy density and intensity are biologically independent from each other. Conclusions: This independence is of practical importance, at least for the medical application of photobiological effects achieved at low-energy density levels, accounting for the success and the failure in most of the cold laser uses since Mester’s pioneering work.

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Hashmi et al. / PM R. 2010 December ; 2(12 Suppl 2): S292–S305

Abstract:
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the laser. The development of lasers for medical use, which became known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, followed in 1967. In recent years, LLLT has become an increasingly mainstream modality, especially in the areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation. At first used mainly for wound healing and pain relief, the medical applications of LLLT have broadened to include diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and degenerative or traumatic brain disorders. This review will cover the mechanisms of LLLT that operate both on a cellular and a tissue level. Mitochondria are thought to be the principal photoreceptors, and increased adenosine triphosphate, reactive oxygen species, intracellular calcium, and release of nitric oxide are the initial events. Activation of transcription factors then leads to expression of many protective, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and pro-proliferation gene products. Animal studies and human clinical trials of LLLT for indications with relevance to neurology, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, degenerative brain disease, spinal cord injury, and peripheral nerve regeneration, will be covered.
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Harry T. Whelan, M.D., et al / Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery
Volume 19, Number 6, 2001

Abstract:

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and near-infrared light therapy on wound healing. Background Data: Light-emitting diodes (LED), originally developed for NASA plant growth experiments in space show promise for delivering light deep into tissues of the body to promote wound healing and human tissue growth. In this paper, we review and present our new data of LED treatment on cells grown in culture, on ischemic and diabetic wounds in rat models, and on acute and chronic wounds in humans. Materials and Methods: In vitro and in vivo (animal and human) studies utilized a variety of LED wavelength, power intensity, and energy density parameters to begin to identify conditions for each biological tissue that are optimal for biostimulation. Results: LED produced in vitro increases of cell growth of 140–200% in mouse-derived fibroblasts, rat-derived osteoblasts, and rat-derived skeletal muscle cells, and increases in growth of 155–171% of normal human epithelial cells. Wound size decreased up to 36% in conjunction with HBO in ischemic rat models. LED produced improvement of greater than 40% in musculoskeletal training injuries in Navy SEAL team members, and decreased wound healing time in crew members aboard a U.S. Naval submarine. LED produced a 47% reduction in pain of children suffering from oral mucositis. Conclusion: We believe that the use of NASA LED for light therapy alone, and in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen, will greatly enhance the natural wound healing process, and more quickly return the patient to a preinjury/ illness level of activity. This work is supported and managed through the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center–SBIR Program.
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Ablon Skin Institute / Photomedicine and Laser Surgery 2010 Feb;28(1):141-6.

Abstract: 

Background and Objectives: Psoriasis is one of the major problems facing dermatologists worldwide. Planar arrays of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have recently attracted attention in the treatment of difficult dermatological entities, 830 nm in near infrared (near-IR) and 633 nm in visible red. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of combination 830-nm and 633-nm LED phototherapy in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis. Subjects and Methods: Nine informed and consenting patients with psoriasis were enrolled in this preliminary study, (3 men, 6 women, mean age 34.3, skin types I to IV). All had chronic psoriasis, which in most cases had proved resistant to conventional treatments. They were treated sequentially with LED arrays delivering continuous-wave 830 nm (near-IR) and 633 nm (red) in two 20-min sessions over 4 or 5 weeks, with 48 h between sessions (830 nm, 60 J/cm(2); 633 nm, 126 J/cm(2)) Results: All patients completed their LED regimens (4 requiring 1 regimen, 5 requiring a second). Follow-up periods were from 3 to 8 months, except in two patients who were lost to follow-up. Clearance rates at the end of the follow-up period ranged from 60% to 100%. Satisfaction was universally very high. Conclusions: The anti-inflammatory effects of LED energy at 830 nm and 633 nm have been well documented, as has their use in wound healing. LED phototherapy is easy to apply, pain free and side-effect free, and is well tolerated by patients of all skin types. The promising results of this preliminary study warrant a proper controlled double-blind study with a larger patient population.

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Cut the Red Out. Soothe the Heat. Get Your Life Back.