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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...

Episodes

Posted on January 21st 2025 (5 months)

In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick shares her skincare routine, including retinol, salicylic acid, and thoughts on vitamin C serums.

Posted on October 11th 2023 (over 1 year)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick explores supplemental tyrosine, lion's mane, cordyceps, aging tests, and sunscreen's efficacy and safety in a Q&A.

Posted on September 7th 2023 (almost 2 years)

Dr. Rhonda Patrick explores growth hormone secretagogues, spermidine's longevity role, methylene blue, whey protein, and solutions for scar tissue in a Q&A.

Topic Pages

  • Red light therapy (photobiomodulation)

    Red/NIR light photons penetrate skin, are absorbed by mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase, enhancing ATP production and downstream cytoprotective signaling.

News & Publications

  • Sunburns are a major contributor to skin cancer risk, yet many people continue to get sunburned, with some experiencing multiple episodes each year. A recent study found that more than 30% of adults reported between one and five sunburns in the past year, and alcohol consumption was linked to an increased risk, with 21% of people who got sunburned having consumed alcohol at the time.

    Researchers analyzed data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey, which included more than 6,200 participants. They used statistical analysis to identify associations between sociodemographic factors, cancer risk perceptions, sun exposure behaviors, and the number of sunburns reported in the previous 12 months.

    They found that 2.1% of participants reported more than six sunburns, 30.3% had between one and five, and 67.6% experienced none. Alcohol consumption was a contributing factor, with 21.5% of those who reported a sunburn also having consumed alcohol. Younger adults (aged 18 to 39) were more likely to experience sunburns than older adults, and men were at higher risk than women. Additionally, higher-income participants were more likely to get sunburned, with people in the highest income bracket more than four times as likely to report at least one sunburn in the past year.

    These findings suggest that public health interventions should focus on groups most at risk for sunburns, including younger adults, men, and higher-income people. Addressing alcohol consumption during sun exposure could also help reduce sunburn incidence. Sunscreens can protect against sunburns, but some carry health risks. Learn more in this Q&A featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.

  • Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects roughly 10% of people in the United States. Evidence suggests that environmental factors, including air pollution, influence the risk of developing eczema. A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a key component of ambient air pollution, more than doubles the risk of eczema.

    Researchers drew on data from adults enrolled in the All of Us Research Program. They compared people with eczema to those without, linking their zip codes to average annual PM2.5 concentrations. Then, they analyzed the relationship between PM2.5 levels and eczema while adjusting for factors like demographics, smoking, and other skin conditions.

    They found that people with eczema were exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 than those without eczema. People with eczema lived in areas with about 2% higher PM2.5 concentrations, and the risk of eczema increased considerably with higher pollution levels. The odds of having eczema were more than twice as high (158%) in areas with the highest PM2.5 concentrations, even after accounting for smoking and other health conditions.

    These findings suggest that air pollution contributes to the development of eczema. Given that PM2.5 can infiltrate the skin and contribute to skin barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, addressing air pollution could be a key strategy for preventing and managing eczema. Sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from broccoli, promotes the excretion of air pollutants. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Jed Fahey.

  • The lotion you apply to your child’s skin might do more harm than good, according to new research. Children are especially vulnerable to harmful exposures through their skin because they have more skin surface area relative to their body size, better blood flow, and higher skin hydration than adults. A recent study found that using skincare lotions and oils significantly increased toxic phthalates in children’s urine.

    Researchers surveyed parents of children aged 4 to 8 about their children’s use of skincare products and then tested the children’s urine for phthalates.

    They discovered that children who used lotions had 1.17 times more mono-benzyl phthalate in their urine, and those exposed to oils had 2.86 times more monoethyl phthalate, 1.43 times more monobutyl phthalate, and 1.40 times more low-molecular-weight phthalates. Surprisingly, children who used products labeled “phthalate-free” didn’t have lower phthalate levels. The researchers speculated that phthalates used in packaging materials (such as bottles or tubes) migrated into the products.

    These findings suggest that everyday skincare products, such as lotions or oils, expose children to high phthalate levels. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors—compounds that can mimic or impair the activity of the body’s natural hormones and may harm children’s development and physiology.

    Many skincare products also contain microplastics, which carry considerable health risks. Learn more about microplastics in our overview article.

  • Perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are synthetic compounds found in food packaging, household products, and plastic bottles. These “forever chemicals” persist in the body for indefinite periods, posing significant health risks such as cancer, liver damage, and immune system dysfunction. To address these concerns, chemical companies have introduced shorter-chain PFAS alternatives, which break down more quickly in the environment. However, a recent study found that these alternatives readily penetrate the skin, potentially increasing the health risks associated with PFAS exposure.

    Researchers designed a three-dimensional model that mimicked the qualities of human skin. They applied various PFAS to the model skin, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (used on/in non-stick cookware, water and stain repellents, and food packaging) and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (used on/in carpets, clothing, paper products, and cleaning agents) and assessed whether the compounds were absorbed (consequently taken up into the bloodstream), unabsorbed, or retained within skin tissue.

    The researchers found that the skin absorbed as much as 58.9% of short-chain PFAS, and the absorption rate decreased as the carbon chain length increased. Interestingly, they found that large quantities of longer-chain PFAS (as much as 68.3%) were retained in the skin instead of being absorbed.

    These findings suggest that PFAS, especially shorter-chain forms, readily penetrate human skin and can gain access to the bloodstream. They also underscore the potential health risks of PFAS exposure and the need for further research and regulation.

  • The skin is the body’s first line of defense against environmental exposures. However, the skin changes considerably as we age, reducing its defense capacity. A 2021 study in mice found that sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from broccoli, mitigates age-related skin changes by activating Nrf2, a protein that participates in the body’s antioxidant defense system.

    Researchers fed young and old mice regular mouse chow or chow supplemented with sulforaphane for three months. They assessed the antioxidant capacity and protein expression levels in the animals' skin. They also measured levels of reactive oxygen species and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9, a protein involved in tissue remodeling, inflammation, and wound healing), assessed epidermal and dermal thickness changes, and analyzed collagen content.

    They found that sulforaphane reduced reactive oxygen species and MMP9 levels in older mice. It also increased the skin’s antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by enhanced Nrf2 production. They observed no difference in epidermal thickness between young and old SFN-treated mice, but dermal layers were thinner in older mice. Collagen content improved in young and old mice, with more substantial structural improvements observed in the older group.

    These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with sulforaphane ameliorates age-related skin changes in mice by activating the Nrf2 pathway, enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress.

    Notably, the dose provided in this mouse study was very high, translating to about 2,500 milligrams of sulforaphane in humans – roughly the amount supplied in 63 cups of broccoli sprouts. Nevertheless, sulforaphane’s antioxidant-inducing capacity is well established, and consumption of sulforaphane-rich foods is associated with increased healthspan and lifespan. Broccoli sprouts are excellent sources of sulforaphane and are easy to grow at home. For tips on how to grow broccoli sprouts, check out our comprehensive Sprouting Guide, a members-only perk.

  • Collagen is crucial in maintaining the structural integrity of various tissues in the human body, and its decrease contributes markedly to the aging process. A recent study found that supplemental collagen combined with antioxidants substantially improved the appearance and health of skin and hair in adult women, reducing wrinkle depth by 48 percent.

    The study involved 40 healthy adult women between the ages of 38 and 50. Participants consumed a commercially available collagen treatment containing collagen, hyaluronic acid, biotin, and vitamins C and E or a placebo for 56 days. Researchers evaluated various aspects of their skin, such as elasticity, hydration, brightness, and pigmentation, along with hair strength and hair fall (normal hair loss) before, during, and after the intervention.

    They found that those who consumed the collagen treatment experienced a 48 percent reduction in wrinkle depth, a 39 percent reduction in fine lines, and a 16 percent increase in skin hydration compared to those who took a placebo. Their hair fall decreased by 28 percent versus 7 percent among those who took a placebo.

    The findings from this small study suggest that supplemental collagen and antioxidants improve skin and hair health. Collagens are characterized by a triple helix arrangement, forming a sturdy, resilient structure. They serve general tissue assembly and maintenance functions, including tissue scaffolding, morphogenesis, and repair. Learn more about collagen in our overview article.

  • Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure – from the sun or tanning beds – causes premature skin aging, a process called photoaging. But a new study in mice found that supplemental collagen, which is rich in the glycine-proline dipeptide, protects against the damaging effects of UV light exposure. Mice that received collagen during regular exposure to UV light had fewer wrinkles and other signs of photoaging than those that didn’t.

    Researchers exposed young mice to one of four treatments for 12 weeks: UV light only; UV light plus low-dose collagen (300 milligrams per kilogram); UV light plus high-dose collagen (500 milligrams per kilogram); or neither exposure. They measured the animals' plasma collagen concentrations, and then, at the end of the study, they assessed the animals' skin for signs of photoaging.

    They found that collagen concentrations increased considerably within 30 minutes of consumption. They also found that both low- and high-dose collagen reduced wrinkle development and skin thinning and improved the skin’s hydration.

    These findings suggest supplemental collagen protects against photoaging in mice, aligning with a recent review and meta-analysis. Interestingly, some evidence suggests collagen supplementation in the setting of exercise recovery reduces joint pain and improves joint functionality but appears to have no significant effect on post-exercise muscle protein synthesis necessary for hypertrophy and muscle collagen protein synthesis.

  • Aerobic exercise has profound effects on the human body – including the skin. Now findings from a new study suggest that resistance training slows skin aging. Women who engaged in resistance training had thicker, more resilient skin than women who engaged in aerobic exercise alone.

    Researchers compared the effects of aerobic versus resistance training on skin aging in 56 sedentary, middle-aged women. The participants engaged in a twice-weekly supervised exercise program involving either aerobic or resistance training for 16 weeks. The researchers evaluated the participants' skin properties, body composition, and physical capacity before and after the intervention.

    They found that both types of training improved skin elasticity and structure, but only resistance training increased the thickness of the dermis, the inner layer of the skin. Resistance training also increased levels of biglycan, a protein that promotes wound healing and skin resilience via its interactions with collagen. The researchers also noted an increase in the expression of genes related to the skin cells' extracellular matrix.

    These findings suggest that resistance training enhances several aspects of skin health, slowing the effects of skin aging. They also highlight yet another way in which resistance training bolsters health. Learn about other strategies to promote healthy, resilient skin in this Aliquot featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.

  • Stem cell therapy is a type of cell therapy where stem cells are introduced into the damaged tissue to treat the disorder or the injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used in most stem cell therapy. They’re non-hematopoietic cell precursors initially found in the bone marrow, but actually present in many other tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in culture are adherent, proliferating, and capable of multilineage differentiation into several tissues of mesenchymal origin, such as bone marrow stroma, adipose tissue (body fat), bone, cartilage, tendon, skeletal muscle and etc.

    So Why is Stem Cells Therapy Good for Anti Aging?

    In short, stem cells therapy was heavily emphasised to have the capacity to repair, renew and replace damaged tissue is a good anti aging treatment.

    As shown below are the functions of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy: - Help facilitate growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis which leads to improved blood flow in tissue - An anti-inflammatory effect which fastens wound healing - After aiding wound healing, it helps in reducing size of scarred tissue such as infected cardiomyocytes (heart cells) or wound to joint injury - Repair of damaged tissue which then leads to renewal of healthy tissue - Relief if symptoms related to any chronic diseases - Vast improvement in the immune system against disease - Better digestion and elimination of constipation - More flexible joints and discs - Improvement in skin elasticity and thickness - Reducing facial pigmentation, and adding a glow to your skin - Diminishing fine lines and wrinkles - Improving skin complexion - Tightening and shrinking open pores - Removing dark circles


    No more joints problems, no more constipation, better appearance, overall human health improves!

    The list is non-exhaustive when it comes to stem cells therapy. All these benefits brought by stem cells therapy are exactly the definition of anti aging if not reviving old age.

    Visit more information on: http://stemfinitycord.co/