You may have heard of the term rosacea, but do you know the details of this skin condition? Rosacea is a skin condition that occurs mainly on the face, particularly on the cheeks, nose and forehead. It can also occur on the chin, ears or around the eyes.
Sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as acne, this skin problem causes symptoms such as redness and flushing, inflammation, pimples and visible blood vessels. Dermatologist Dr. Jason Thomson explains:
“Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that often causes flare-ups in adults. You may have had flawless skin as a teenager and experience pimples as an adult. This may be due to rosacea and not acne, as is sometimes mistakenly believed.”
Although rosacea is difficult to cure, there are treatments that effectively reduce symptoms. According to Dr. Thompson:
“Treatment for rosacea depends largely on the characteristics and symptoms of the individual and will involve a combination of lifestyle factors, prescribed creams (and in some cases tablets), skin care appropriate for rosacea and lasers. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.”
Is red light therapy good for rosacea?
Research indicates that low-level laser light technology can reduce the symptoms of this skin condition. You can go to a dermatology clinic for this treatment, but you can also use red light therapy for rosacea at home.
How can red light therapy cure rosacea?
As described in our Kala Red Light review, LED laser therapy works by sending light photons deep into the mitochondria of cells, stimulating ATP synthesis to higher levels.
This delivers cellular energy to the body, leading to a number of health benefits, including the treatment of skin conditions such as rosacea.
A review of research published in Lasers in Medical Science by Elisabetta Sorbellini, Mariangela Rucco and Fabio Rinaldi cites evidence of the successful use of red LED light therapy for rosacea.
The technology helps reduce inflammation, heals and repairs damaged tissue, reduces visible blood vessels and prevents skin thickening. It also kills acne-causing bacteria to reduce pimples and prevent breakouts.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and Venereology by LE Bryld and GBE Jemec showed that photodynamic therapy was beneficial in treating rosacea in patients suffering from rosacea.
David Hill, MD, plastic surgeon and medical director of Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery, shows how red light therapy serves as a non-invasive treatment for rosacea:
“Red light therapy offers a non-invasive approach to treating rosacea by using low-wavelength red light to penetrate the skin, which helps reduce inflammation and promote healing. In clinical studies, this method has been shown to be effective in reducing redness and improving skin texture. However, the degree of effectiveness may vary from person to person.
To optimize results, I recommend combining red light therapy with other treatment methods, such as topical agents and lifestyle modifications. This holistic approach improves symptom management, making red light therapy a valuable part of rosacea treatment strategies.”
According to dermatologist Anna Chacon, several studies support the effectiveness of red light therapy for rosacea. She cited a 2005 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, which showed that red light therapy effectively reduces inflammation and redness associated with rosacea. In addition, a study published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology in 2007 reported a significant improvement in skin barrier function with red light therapy, leading to a reduction in the sensitivity and severity of rosacea flare-ups.
What wavelengths are best for rosacea?
There are several wavelengths of LED laser light therapy that offer healing benefits for symptoms, including yellow, infrared, green and red or blue light for rosacea.
A case report of two rosacea patients published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports by Elisabetta Sorbellini et al. showed that a combination of blue and red light was safe, effective and well tolerated.
