LED light therapy:
Light therapy is growing in popularity and is used in the offices of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, acupuncturists, aestheticians, veterinarians, and other professionals. It is a non-invasive treatment that has no down time and promising results are indicated when the recommended number of treatment sessions are completed.
The nitty-gritty of light therapy:
Light Emitting Diode (LED) phototherapy is the application of light energy to tissue to obtain therapeutic benefits and has been around since the 1960’s. It was originally developed by NASA to grow plants in space and later was used in wound healing.
How it works:
Different wavelengths of light penetrate different depths of the skin. The shorter the wavelength, like blue light, the more surface the treatment. Phototherapy is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and has a variety of applications across many medical fields. There is evidence to suggest that light therapy can treat wrinkles, acne, pain, and rejuvenate the skin.
What conditions can light therapy treat?
Blue LED light is a shorter wavelength and is a more surface treatment. This light can decrease sebaceous gland and oil production which can improve acne symptoms and it can stop bacterial growth and decrease inflammation.
Red LED light may improve scars, decrease wrinkles, signs of aging, and increase collagen production.
Near-infrared light is a red light that is used for pain, arthritis, and to improve circulation which promotes healing.
Uses and benefits of light therapy:
I use the Celluma LED light therapy in the office and it is FDA-cleared to treat the following:
- Acne
- Wrinkles
- Arthritis
- Muscle spasm
- Muscle & joint pain
- Decrease inflammation
- Increase micro-circulation
Benefits include safe and proven results. It is a non-invasive drug-free treatment that is cost effective and has multiple uses. It can restore compromised tissue from surgery, Botox, injections, or situations where skin tissue has been damaged.
How many treatments do you need?
The number of sessions that are recommended to achieve optimal results is 2-3 times a week for 4-5 weeks depending on the condition of the skin and desired results.
Contraindications:
There are many benefits to this therapy but there are some circumstances where is not appropriate which include:
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Patients taking Accutane
- Pregnancy (over breasts or abdomen)
- Skin cancer/tumor
Acupuncture & light therapy
Combing light therapy with TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and acupunctre is a wonderful way to enhance your treatment and obtain optimal results. As a practitioner of TCM, I assess patterns in the body and use acupuncture, herbs, cupping, and nutrition to help restore balance. Adding light therapy is a temporary way to assist the body in healing and with the completion of the recommended number of treatments, the results are longer lasting.
For any questions please email me @acupuncture.willow@gmail.com
