E.J. Sulc has relocated
her North Platte Visage Skin
Clinic and Day Spa to Gothenburg, Ne.
Her mission statement continues to be: To provide our clients “service
with results,” to always stay on the cutting edge of service
and education and so providing our clients the best results technology
has to offer. To touch lives inside and out with all God has given
me to use. To create a total sense of well-being.
Skin Care Light Therapy - The wave of the future
by E.J. Sulc
It’s here – the future has arrived.
Light Therapy…sounds like Star Trek, doesn’t it? Well, you’re
not far off. Did you know we have the technology to get a man to Mars, but
until recently it was keeping him alive long enough to complete the trip
that was the problem? On Earth, we have natural sunlight that provides Vitamin
D to keep our bones and tissues healthy. (Please continue to use sunscreen
to filter UVA and UVB light which is very damaging to skin.) However, on
a long trip to Mars, the lack of light causes the body to begin to break
down, possibly resulting in death.
Science has proven that light therapy has beneficial effects in people suffering
from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a depressive disorder that
occurs during the winter months in regions where sunlight is limited. Two
major types of light therapy using different forms of light are LED (light
emitting diodes) and IPL (intense pulsed light), which have numerous applications
in the field of cosmetic dermatology, as well as the surgical and reconstructive
surgical realm.
According to Steve Davis, one of the founders of PhotoActif, LED therapy
is a form of light therapy, also called photo therapy, where light gently
penetrates the skin and leads to the production of connective tissue cells
that make and secrete collagen. Photo modulation or phototherapy activates
skin cells with pulses of low-level, non-thermal light energy from LED’s.
“With LED treatments, you
are simply giving the face a ‘light bath,’” Davis said.
“Think of it as photo-nutrition. The cells respond to the photons
as nutrients and use the energy generated to assist in repairing themselves.”
Scientifically speaking, LED therapy is the effect of monochromatic light
on cells. NASA had studied LED therapy for more than 20 years and found
it can speed up the healing process, reduce scarring and regenerate collagen
and elastin – two major components of the skin that are negatively
affected by age. A recent clinical trial showed this procedure to reduce
wrinkles, redness and pore size around the eyes. It can also reduce the
appearance of fine lines, as well as treating sun damage, acne, rosacea
and even more specific skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema.
LED light therapy may incorporate several colors of light: Blue addresses
bacteria, acne and wound healing; red is used in anti-aging and skin-rejuvenation;
and amber light can be used to aid muscle soreness. During a 30-minute treatment,
a specially trained skin care professional moves a handheld device across
the skin, delivering a stream of specific light wavelengths through the
top layer of the skin (epidermis) and penetrating to the deeper layer (dermis),
where blood vessels and collagen are found.
Topical solutions formulated to treat acne and hyper pigmentation may be
used with some LED equipment to intensify the beneficial effect of the light.
For best results, an initial series of six to seven treatments should be
booked every 7 to 10 days.
Recent developments in LED technology have made this cutting edge treatment
more effective and affordable. Additionally, infrared therapy with LED technology
has no reported side effects – it is considered safe enough to be
used in children’s hospitals. It’s painless, non-toxic, non-invasive
and compliments many traditional therapies.
NPTSummer 2005 Issue
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