Uv Light Therapy For Moderate To Severe Cases
, also known as UV light therapy, is one of the most effective treatments for psoriasis. It involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of ultraviolet radiation similar to that from the sun. It is usually prescribed with other treatments when conservative therapies fail to provide relief and is especially useful for moderate to severe psoriasis covering large portions of the body.
Phototherapy is performed in a dermatologist’s office under controlled conditions. Side effects tend to be mild. In addition to psoriasis, phototherapy may also be used to treat eczema, vitiligo, lichen planus, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Psoriasis Light Therapy Treatment
Light therapy treatment can use either artificial or natural sources.
Sunlight Careful exposure of the skin to very limited amounts of direct sunlight can assist in alleviating symptoms. However, very close monitoring of exposure time and intensity is required because too much sunlight may cause skin damage and actually worsen symptoms.
UV light An invisible light wavelength that is too short for our eyes to see. When skin is exposed to UV rays the activated T cells die off, resulting in a more normal skin cell replacement protocol. As well as less scaling and inflammation.
Patients should use sunlight treatment only under the supervision and advice of a medical professional.
UVB Normally given in a clinic, under the supervision of a dermatologist. This type of therapy can retard the production of skin cells. It is effective for the treatment of plaque psoriasis when the patient has not responded well to topical treatments.
We have written a very detailed article about the mechanism of red light therapy here.
TREATMENT WITH ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT B
Ultraviolet B is a natural component of sunlight and an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB penetrates the epidermis and slows down the growth of affected skin cells. UVB treatment exposes the skin to an UVB light source for a calculated length of time on a regular schedule. This treatment can be administered in a medical clinic or at home.
COMBINATION LIGHT THERAPY
Irestore Laser Hair Growth System
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The iRestore is an FDA-cleared hair growth system which uses laser, red light therapy to encourage the growth of thicker and healthier hair. It is a non-invasive solution that is indicated for treating androgenic alopecia. It can be used alongside your other hair loss products, as it is believed to enhance the results you see from them too. You can expect to see results between 3 and 6 months after beginning your treatment.
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How Long Has Red Light Therapy Been Around
Scientists at National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Quantum Devices, Inc. first discovered red light as a way to grow plants in space back in the early 1990s. Red LEDs produce light thats 10 times brighter than the suns rays. They also learned that this intense light helps energy metabolism in plant cells and promotes growth and photosynthesis.
From 1995 to 1998, the Marshall Space Flight Center challenged QDI to study red light for its potential application in medicine. In other words, they wanted to see if the red light that energized plant cells would work the same way on human cells.
The primary focus of this research was to determine if RLT might affect certain conditions that impact astronauts. Specifically, the scientists wanted to see if RLT could help with muscle atrophy and bone density issues that arise from long periods of weightlessness. Wounds also heal slowly in space, so that was another key focus area of their studies.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology examined the effects of RLT versus blue light therapy for individuals with psoriasis. Participants had high-dose treatments three times per week for four consecutive weeks while applying a 10 percent salicylic acid solution to plaques.
Its important to remember that these treatments were done with high doses in a medical setting. The results may vary greatly if the therapy is performed at home or a salon or wellness center.
If Its So Effective Why Isn’t Phototherapy Used More
Although phototherapy is considered a first-line treatment for psoriasis, patients and dermatologists alike report that it is often impractical.
Convenience is a factor, since patients need to visit their doctors office several times a week during business hours. But it can also be expensive for each treatment, most insurance companies charge an office-visit co-pay, which tends to be higher than drug co-pays.
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How Well It Works
Phototherapy is usually an effective treatment for psoriasis.footnote 2 Partial to full skin clearing occurs after an average of 20 clinic treatments. More severe psoriasis may require more treatments. Using home equipment, which is less powerful than equipment at a clinic, takes 40 to 60 sessions to clear the skin.
Doses of UVB high enough to cause the skin to turn red, used with petroleum jelly or other moisturizers, can clear psoriasis plaque.
When using UVA alone, treatments may be helpful but take much longer to clear psoriasis. UVA is very effective when used with a photosensitizing drug . This combination treatment is called PUVA.
What Are The Best Wavelengths For Treating Psoriasis
Red LED wavelengths ranging from 610 to 700 nanometers are generally recommended for the treatment of psoriasis. In various clinical trials, 630nm in particular has shown to be beneficial for Psoriasis. For more severe symptoms, near-infrared wavelengths of 830 to 855 nm can also be helpful. Frequently, a combination of red LED and NIR wavelengths is the most successful course of treatment.
At-home red light therapy devices are available in a variety of wavelengths and combinations thereof.
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What Exactly Is Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition during which your body multiplies skin cells ten times more rapidly than normal. Healthy skin cells slowly grow and rise on the surface. In about a month, the old cells shed and leave place for new ones. In psoriasis patients, the lifespan of a cell is just a few days. The increased cell production creates bumpy red patches that are often covered with white-silver scales.
Most often, psoriasis presents itself on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back. Because these body parts are not readily visible, these spots may be mistaken for dry skin patches or irritation.
This disease usually pops up in early adulthood and affects just a few areas. However, in severe cases, psoriasis can cover more significant parts of the body and face. Whats more, red bumps are not permanently present on the skin. They come and go from time to time but, unfortunately, never disappear. So keeping the condition under supervision is always necessary.
New Light Therapy For Psoriasis
January 2, 2014 by Louanna
Using light therapy to treat psoriasis is one of the oldest known ways that this skin disease was treated. In fact, sunlight was one of the first treatments that was used to help to ease the symptoms of the condition. Now, there is a new type of light therapy that is proving beneficial for psoriasis treatment.
A recent study published in the journal of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery showed that the use of red and infrared LED light therapy has shown to be very promising in treating this condition. In the study, patients used a combination of near infrared light and red light . Though considered to be a preliminary study, over a period of 4 to 5 weeks, with two 20-minute sessions every 48 hours, clearance rates during the follow up period which was 3 to 8 months later were 60 to 100 percent. All of the participants were happy with the therapy.
Inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and acne can also be managed. The noninvasive nature and almost complete absence of side effects encourage further testing in dermatology.
Although the research is relatively new regarding the use of red and infrared light therapies for psoriasis, each additional study suggests that the treatments are quite promising and offer hope of a drug-free option for sufferers of this chronic disease.
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What Does It Treat
Researchers have known about red light therapy for a while. But there arenât a lot of studies on it, and they donât know if itâs better than other types of treatment used to help you heal. Red light therapy may help with:
- Dementia. In one small study, people with dementia who got regular near-infrared light therapy on their heads and through their noses for 12 weeks had better memories, slept better, and were angry less often.
- Dental pain. In another small study, people with temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome had less pain, clicking, and jaw tenderness after red light therapy.
- Hair loss. One study found that men and women with androgenetic alopecia who used an at-home RLT device for 24 weeks grew thicker hair. People in the study who used a fake RLT device didnât get the same results.
- Osteoarthritis. One study found red and infrared light therapy cut osteoarthritis-related pain by more than 50%.
- Tendinitis. A very small study of 7 people suggests RLT lessens inflammation and pain in people with Achilles tendinitis.
- Wrinkles and other signs of skin aging and skin damage. Research shows RLT may smooth your skin and help with wrinkles. RLT also helps with acne scars, burns, and signs of UV sun damage.
Laser Therapy Or Low Level Light:
Physicians also suggest this therapy for some types of inflammation and chronic pain, often called cold laser therapy.
At home UVB photo therapy: At home follow up therapy can be recommended by doctors, for people using handheld or smaller light boxes to remain at the top of their psoriasis and handle any rise in itchiness and plaques.
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Research Shows Red Light Therapy Reduces Itchiness And Swelling From Eczema
In one of the initial human trials analyzing red light and eczema, researchers followed 81 patients for nearly a year, measuring how their symptoms progressed with regular treatments. The researchers evaluated eczema rashes before, during, and after patients tried red light therapy treatments. People received just one, 2-minute red light therapy session per week. Even with such a short treatment, researchers found considerable improvements in common eczema symptoms, including a reduction in all of the following:
- Gooseflesh-like bumps
- Reddening
- Pimples or swelling
The research team also evaluated itchiness levels before, during, and after red light therapy and found patients picked their skin less and had fewer leathery patches when treated with red light therapy. This study also noted there were no side effects during or after the red light treatments, in line with hundreds of other trials and studies on red light therapy for skin and health. For eczema treatment, researchers concluded that they consider that may become the new therapy of choice for common eczema. Consistency is key with natural light treatments, but in the study cited above, even infrequent, short treatments made a significant difference in the group of people with eczema that researchers analyzed.
Home Remedies For Psoriasis You Can Try Today
Number 8 will surprise you…
More than 8 million Americans are affected by psoriasis, with many experiencing limited success with conventional remedies for this autoimmune disease. Currently, theres no cure for any type of psoriasis, so managing the flare ups caused by the condition are a top priority. Cleansing your body of those unsightly, scaly, and itchy red patches isnt easy, nor is unburdening your mind from the severe emotional distress and loss of confidence that comes along with it.To make matters worse, conventional psoriasis treatments can have unpleasant side effects including allergic reactions. This, coupled with the possible ineffectiveness of these treatments, may lead people to try alternative psoriasis home remedies that may only be good for placebo or worse- be hazardous to one’s health. In this article, well discuss how to treat psoriasis at home and 8 effective remedies for psoriasis you can try today to feel better and help restore normal, healthy skin, while also improving your overall quality of life. Make sure to stay tuned until the end, as number seven is absolutely critical.
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How Does Red Light Therapy Help Psoriasis
As weve already mentioned, red light therapy has the benefit of optimizing cellular function. This is achieved by increasing mitochondrial metabolism production of ATP is boosted, giving our cells more resources for carrying out their functions. This leads to enhancing a whole cascade of processes in our bodies.
Heres how red light therapy can help with psoriasis:
Red Light Therapy For Eczema
In one of the initial human trials analyzing red light treatment and eczema, researchers followed 81 patients for nearly a year, measuring how symptoms progressed with regular light treatments. The researchers evaluated eczema rashes before, during, and after patients received red light therapy treatments.
Participants received just a single, two-minute red light therapy session per week. Even with such short treatments, they saw considerable improvements in common eczema symptoms, including reductions in bumps , flaking skin , redness , and pimples .
The research team also evaluated itchiness levels before, during, and after red light therapy. Patients picked their skin less and had fewer leathery patches when treated with red light therapy. The study also noted there were no side effects during or after the red light treatments, in line with hundreds of other trials and studies on red light therapy for skin and health.
Researchers concluded that they consider that light therapy may become the new therapy of choice for common eczema treatment.
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The Lighter Side Of Skin Therapy With Red Light
While these natural home remedies for psoriasis are generally effective on mild-to-moderate cases, UVB phototherapy and red light phototherapy promote skin health with ease, convenience, and effectiveness. Given the potential for long-term skin damage from UVB light, however, red light emerges as the top home remedy for psoriasis.
How Does Red Light Therapy For Psoriasis Work
Psoriasis is a systematic skin disease that affects up to eight million people in the USA alone. Around 2-3 percent of the world population suffer from the same issue. These statistics are pretty alarming, considering that psoriasis has no cure. A person who has it can only do so much to ease the symptoms to ensure that the disease wont affect their quality of life.
There are many treatments that are successfully used for managing psoriasis. One of those methods includes red light therapy also known as low-level laser therapy. Using red light therapy for psoriasis has been shown to be effective for reducing inflammation, itchiness and speed up skin regeneration.
In this article, we dive deep into psoriasis symptoms and treatments and explain how red light therapy can help the condition.
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Red Light Therapy Side Effects
Where red light does become controversial is how many rays you actually need to soak up to see resultsresearchers haven’t yet nailed down the optimal dose. When deciding how much, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consult a board-certified dermatologist before trying red light therapy at home, as you should with any new beauty procedure.
Though there are little to no risks associated with the treatment, too much exposure or faulty equipment could damage the skin tissue leading to burns and blisters. Seek medical advice immediately for any burns. For those sensitive to bright lights, it’s also a good idea to make sure you have the option for some eye protection.
Baby Quasar Pure Rayz Skincare Therapy Device
The Baby Quasar PURE RAYZ Skincare Therapy Device is the product for you because it helps to reduce wrinkles and build new collagen. Its gentle enough for all skin types and tones.
Baby Quasar Pure Rayz Skincare Therapy Device uses advanced technology to emit only natural wavelengths of light. These wavelengths are intended to penetrate deeper than topical products alone. It can give you long-lasting results, without causing sun sensitivity.
The easy to use device emits 4 distinct wavelengths of light, including infrared. It is designed for simple anti-wrinkle treatment and has a large treatment head, which makes a very efficient and robust anti-aging light therapy solution available without a prescription to treat wrinkles.
It is a safe, natural treatment for aging skin, and using it is easy to understand. Cleanse your skin and then apply a serum if you want to. Then, apply the Pure Rayz device to your skin for 3 minutes per area, moving it is a slow, circular motion. Just make sure you keep your eyes shut when treating the area around your eyes. It has an automatic timer that lets you know when to move to the next section. Ideally, give yourself 5 treatments per week for the first 8 weeks, and then for maintenance, complete therapies once per week and as needed. Each procedure takes 3 minutes per area.
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Eczema And Psoriasis Treatment Today Is Lacking
Eczema refers to a variety of skin-related conditions, while psoriasis is actually a different and complex autoimmune disease. But they are often grouped together because both cause inflamed, itchy skin thats difficult to treat. There are no cures for either eczema or psoriasis, so as with most chronic conditions, management of symptoms is central to treatment. Many people use ointments and creams, and/or prescription drugs and anti-allergy meds. These have limited effectiveness, and the medications often come with other unwanted risks and side effects.
Seeking an effective, natural alternative, researchers have conducted peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of red light therapy for people with eczema and psoriasis. The findings are preliminary but very positive, giving reasons for optimism and spurring further research.