Psoriasis is a skin condition with overlapping symptoms, such as inflammation, itching, dryness and fissures. However, psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack healthy cells, causing them to grow out of control and causing symptoms such as raised lesions, scaling or plaques. Although the condition can occur anywhere on the body, it is most likely to occur on the knees, elbows, lower back and scalp.
Red light therapy and psoriasis
One of the best current treatments is red light therapy for psoriasis. This method uses LED laser diodes on the skin to reduce inflammation and promote deep healing. Red light therapy can reduce inflammation, promote repair of damaged tissue and restore the skin barrier.
How does light therapy work in treating psoriasis?
LED light therapy sends photons into the body at different depths, depending on the wavelength used. Blue light, for example, operates at wavelengths of 450-495 nm and works mainly on the surface. Red light has wavelengths of 620-750 nm and penetrates slightly deeper below the skin surface. Infrared light falls in the 780-1000 range and goes deeper into the body for powerful healing.
Low-level light therapy improves cellular performance, increases the number of fibroblasts and opens mitochondrial pathways. It is excellent for collagen and elastin production. Red light therapy especially helps reduce inflammation and pain associated with scars/surgeries or skin problems such as dermatitis, eczema and rosacea.
Scientific studies
A review of research by Daniel R. Opel, MD, Erika Hagstrom and others in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology examined the benefits of different wavelengths of LEDs.
They found that the specific benefits vary by wavelength and generally include wound healing, skin rejuvenation, acne and wrinkle reduction and sunburn prevention.
LED light therapy sends photons of energy into your cells, stimulating mitochondria to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP provides cellular energy for the entire body, and its increase has a number of benefits in treating medical and skin problems.
Research shows that it can significantly reduce the inflammation and itching of any condition, cure psoriasis scales and, in some cases, cure psoriasis on the scalp.
Dermatologist and Harvard professor Elizabeth H. Page, MD, explains: “Light therapy works by expelling the white blood cells that cause inflammation, so light therapy is anti-inflammatory.”
Can RLT cause cancer?
There may be concerns about the risk of skin cancer with any form of light therapy. RLT is not associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. This therapy is significantly different from UV light exposure, which is known to contribute to skin cancer.
Does red light therapy help psoriasis?
Psoriasis is often resistant to common treatment methods, depending on its severity. How effective is light therapy for psoriasis? Research on the benefits of LED light for improving the condition is quite positive.
A review of research in Lasers in Medical Science by Ping Zhang and Mei X. Wu showed the effectiveness of red light and NIR light for psoriasis because of its deep penetration and healing effects.
A review in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology by MM Kleinpenning showed the effectiveness of blue and red light for psoriasis.
