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Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy (photobiomodulation) featured article

Introduction

Light has profound and diverse effects on the human body, influencing sleep-wake cycles, circadian rhythmicity, mood, and immune function. In recent decades, scientists have begun exploiting the body's responses to light with photobiomodulation, a non-invasive, light-based therapeutic technique. Photobiomodulation employs specific wavelengths of light (measured in nanometers, nm) to stimulate biological processes within cells and tissues, triggering a cascade of physiological responses. A growing body of evidence suggests that photobiomodulation has potential applications in medicine, dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and scientific research. This article presents the history and current clinical evidence of photobiomodulation and describes the mechanisms and modalities that drive its effects.

In brief, research demonstrates that photobiomodulation may:

  • Enhance collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines on the skin.
  • Reduce pain...
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News & Publications

  • Vegans show prolonged side effects and slower healing following photodynamic therapy, demonstrating diet's influence on therapeutic outcomes. www.tandfonline.com
    Nutrition Cancer Diet Vegetarian Protein Red Light Therapy

    Photodynamic therapy is a widely used treatment for actinic keratoses—rough, scaly patches on the skin that may develop into cancer if not treated. Typically, complete skin healing after photodynamic therapy takes between five and ten days, but a recent study found that healing rates differ markedly between vegans and omnivores.

    The study involved 60 patients (30 omnivores and 30 vegans) who were treated with photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis. Researchers compared side effects using a local skin response score at three intervals: three days, seven days, and 30 days post-treatment. They also noted the time required for complete skin healing in both groups.

    They found that vegans experienced higher total local skin response scores at each interval, indicating they had more severe side effects. On day three, vegans had considerably more swelling and blistering than omnivores. By day seven, they had more redness, peeling, swelling, and blistering. At thirty days, redness and peeling were still more noticeable in vegans. The time required for complete skin healing was notably longer for the vegan group.

    These findings suggest that diet influences healing time following photodynamic therapy, with vegans being more prone to prolonged side effects and slower healing.

    Photodynamic therapy involves the use of a photosensitizing agent (a drug that becomes activated by light) and a specific wavelength of light. When the photosensitizer is exposed to this light, it produces reactive oxygen species that can destroy targeted cells. It differs from photobiomodulation—often called red-light therapy—which uses low-intensity light to stimulate cellular processes and promote healing and pain relief. Learn more about photobiomodulation in our overview article.

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  • Light-based therapy enhances recovery after spinal cord injury in rats by reducing tissue scarring and promoting nerve cell regeneration. medicalxpress.com
    Neurons Red Light Therapy

    More than 900,000 people worldwide experience a spinal cord injury each year, primarily due to falls and motor vehicle accidents. These injuries often cause lifelong physical debilities, impairing mobility and reducing quality of life. A recent study in rats found that photobiomodulation (light-based therapy) enhanced recovery after a spinal cord injury.

    Researchers investigated two light-based therapy methods using a rat model of spinal cord injury. One method used transcutaneous (through the skin) red-light or laser-light treatment, while the other used an implantable device.

    The researchers found that both delivery methods produced comparable outcomes, with a daily one-minute dose of 660-nanometer light for seven days reducing tissue scarring at the injury site and enhancing functional recovery. They also noted increased levels of proteins associated with nerve cell regeneration and improved connectivity between cells in the injured spinal areas.

    These findings suggest that photobiomodulation enhances recovery after spinal injury in rats and holds potential for future therapeutic applications in humans.

    Photobiomodulation employs specific wavelengths of light to stimulate biological processes within cells and tissues, triggering a cascade of physiological responses. Evidence suggests photobiomodulation has potential applications in medicine, dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and scientific research. Learn more about photobiomodulation in our overview article.

    Read more
  • Gardening improves sleep quality better than other exercises, with sleep problems decreasing as the duration of gardening increases. www.psypost.org
    Exercise Sleep Circadian Rhythm Red Light Therapy

    Gardening is a popular pastime for many people, especially older adults, who benefit from the increased physical activity and mental engagement. A recent study found that people who garden sleep better than those who engage in other exercises or don’t exercise.

    Researchers collected information about the sleep habits of more than 16,000 adults in the U.S. They categorized the participants as gardeners, exercisers, or non-exercisers.

    They found that compared to non-exercisers, gardeners were 42 percent less likely to experience sleep problems, and exercisers were 33 percent less likely. The effects of gardening on sleep were dose-dependent, with sleep problems decreasing as weekly gardening time increased. The benefits of gardening were consistent, even after considering other factors that influence sleep, such as age, sex, education level, and body mass index.

    These findings from this observational study suggest that gardening improves sleep better than other forms of exercise or not exercising. Gardening’s sleep-enhancing effects may stem from increased exposure to natural light during the day, regulating the body’s circadian rhythms and, ultimately, sleep. Learn how light exposure, especially early in the day, influences circadian rhythmicity and sleep in this clip featuring Dr. Satchin Panda.

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  • Red-light therapy slows myopia progression in children, reducing elongation of the eye and improving vision. bmcophthalmol.biomedcentral.com
    Eyes Red Light Therapy

    Scientists estimate that the number of people with myopia – commonly known as nearsightedness – will be as high as 4.7 million by 2050. Correcting myopia is costly and typically involves prescription glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. A recent review and meta-analysis found that repeated low-level red-light therapy improves myopia progression in children.

    Researchers analyzed the findings of five randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of repeated low-level red-light therapy on myopia versus prescription glasses in children. The studies included 833 participants, about half of whom received red-light therapy. The parameters measured included axial length (distance from the front to the back of the eye), spherical equivalent refraction (the power needed to correct vision), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (thickness of the layer beneath the central part of the retina).

    They found that repeated red-light therapy improved all vision parameters at multiple follow-up periods during the studies. At the 12-month follow-up assessment, the children experienced a 0.31-millimeter decrease in axial length and a 0.63 increase in spherical equivalent refraction, indicating marked improvements in myopia progression and eye structure. These findings suggest that repeated low-level red-light therapy effectively slows or reduces myopia progression in children, leading to less elongation of the eyeball and improved vision.

    Red-light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation, a non-invasive, light-based therapeutic technique. Photobiomodulation employs specific wavelengths of light to stimulate biological processes within cells and tissues, triggering a cascade of physiological responses. Evidence suggests photobiomodulation has potential applications in medicine, dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and scientific research. Learn more about photobiomodulation in our overview article.

    Read more