Boasting all the benefits of natural sunlight without harmful UV rays, infrared light is electromagnetic radiation. Infrared light can be short, medium or long. Its wavelength is longer than visible light, shorter than radio waves, and has been used successfully to cure severe acne.
The Facts
All radiation which we normally think of as heat is transmitted by infrared rays. These can be from the sun, a fire or a light bulb. This light can penetrate the human body up to two to three centimeters; however, you can't see it with the naked eye.
Sunlight consists of the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Its energy moves in a wave pattern. Some wavelengths are visible and some are invisible. Visible light is the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers (nm) in the electromagnetic spectrum. Visible light falls in the color range of violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Infrared light begins just beyond red.
Light therapy, or photo rejuvenation, refers to all treatments and devices which use wavelengths of light.
Some light therapies for acne combine blue and red light. Others focus on only blue light. Narrow band therapy has been approved by the FDA for acne treatment. Some light therapy systems combine infrared and visible light wavelengths, such as Deep Penetrating Light Therapy.
Proponents say that infrared light therapy promotes cell renewal and healing from the inside out by stimulating the body's natural processes, thus making it a good treatment for wrinkles, acne, wounds and pain management.
Effects
Infrared light activates ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the skin cells. ATP is the main energy source for cellular function. This sets in motion the body's natural processes to kill the bacteria that cause acne and to restore the skin through cell renewal.
Using a 1450-nm diode laser treatment on 19 patients, scientists reported that acne lesions were decreased by 37 percent after one treatment, according to Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, FRCPC. After two treatments, they were reduced by 50 percent, and after three treatments lesions were reduced by 83 percent.
The study also reported that patients commonly experienced erythema and edema after treatment, but it went away in 24 hours or less. No other side effects were noted. It was unclear from the study whether the treatment worked by reducing the numbers of Propionibacterium acnes or by shrinking the sebaceous glands by thermal damage, although probably the latter. Shrinking the sebaceous glands is how the popular acne treatment Accutane(R) works.
Side Effects
There are no known major side effects for infrared light therapy. A few minor side effects have been observed in some patients, such as depression and anxiety. Mania has been reported in some persons who suffered from mental disorders involving mania. As stated in Section 2, erythema and edema were reportedly common after treatment with pulsed infrared lasers but went away in 24 hours or less.
Considerations
You should avoid light therapy, except under professional medical advice, if your eyes are sensitive; if you have a past history of mania; if you are taking antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other type of medication that makes the skin sensitive to sunlight; if you have photosensitive skin or if you have a disorder such as porphyria or enzyme disorders that affect the skin and nervous system.
Additional Uses
Infrared light therapy is also used for sports injuries, healing of diabetic wounds, as an anti-aging treatment and for pain management.
One of the safest forms of acne treatment, infrared light therapy is simple and painless.
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