Anti aging light therapy is something that’s just beginning to be studied by science. It’s funny to think of light being used as an anti aging technique, especially since one of the worst things for the skin is overexposure to direct sunlight. But, as in all things, moderation is key. As time goes on, science and studies show more and more that light is one of the most beneficial things to the human body. It has long been known that light is integral to the production of vitamin D in the body, and the presence of light triggers the release of positive hormones in the body.
Many studies have shown that different forms of light have different, very specific positive effects on the body. LED light therapy, for example is now being widely researched as a method of stimulating damaged cells in the healing process. Red light, as well as near infrared light are a wavelength of light that is able to penetrate through the initial layers of skin and get down into the deeper tissue beneath. This spectrum of light helps stimulate the cell into creating energy in the form of ATP, and also by stimulating the production of new DNA.
Other studies are also being done about the body’s ability to metabolize direct sunlight into the body for energy. It’s really interesting information. The body seems to find all different spectrums of light useful, and can process them accordingly to gain a positive effect. So lets get back to anti aging light therapy.
In my studies of the properties of light and its effects on the body, anti aging light therapy has come up again and again. It is a process that uses LED lights to stimulate health and vitality in cells. Studies have shown that LED light therapy can be very beneficial in aiding damaged cells in their repair process. They stimulate growth and energy production in order to help the cell restore itself. Since aging can be described as a form of damage, some websites claim that LED light therapy can reverse the signs of age and make reduce wrinkles. From what I am able to gather, this is not the case. Anti aging light therapy does however seem to keep healthy skin youthful longer. But before anyone goes out and buys an expensive anti aging light device, it should be noted that the same effects on the skin can be achieved simply by lying down in direct sunlight for a short period of time each day.
Direct sunlight encompasses every wavelength on the light spectrum, and because of that, everything that a person can gain from LED light therapy, they technically can also gain from exposure to direct sunlight. However, it should be noted that LED light therapy and anti aging light therapy don’t have that other range of the spectrum that causes sun burns and can lead to skin cancer. That’s why most people prefer to use LEDs in the comfort of their own home. LEDs can also concentrate the light energy they emit, reducing the application time needed. Most people don’t have the time to spend 2 hours underneath direct sunlight. They do though have time to apply an LED to the surface of their skin while watching an hour of their favorite TV show.
The human body is mostly water. Skin isn’t generally thought of as a translucent substance, but to much of the light spectrum, it really is. Just as light is able to penetrate the surface of the ocean, so also some of the spectrum is able to penetrate through the surface of the skin. Red and near infrared light are able to penetrate through the skin, up to 6 inches according to some reports. Once LED light penetrates the skin however, it generally scatters very quickly. Depending on what type of material it encounters (bone, muscle, fat) and what specific wavelength of light is being used, it will disperse more quickly. Fortunately for the purposes of anti aging light therapy, the wavelength doesn’t need to penetrate very far in order to encounter the damaged tissue. But it’s still important to get the right wavelength and intensity. Normal LEDs will do the job, but because of the inexpensive nature of medical LEDs, it’s generally safer just to go with one specifically designed for use with the human body. Happy healing to all!
