As skin ages, you will see droopiness of skin tissues, less elasticity and less volume. This can cause wrinkling as well as surface discoloration, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. You have many options for treating wrinkles. More invasive treatments include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and chemical peels, while gentler treatments include low-level lasers, infrared light and intense pulsed light.
Collagen Formation
Pulsed light sources do not injure the epidermis as more invasive treatments such as dermabrasion do, according to the Mayo Clinic. These treatments heat a person's skin and cause new collagen and elastin to form. The less invasive nature of these treatments mean short recovery times compared to more invasive options. However, results are more subtle and treatment must be repeated more frequently, according to the Mayo Clinic. People often seek to boost collagen production because it decreases with age. Boosting collagen helps with wrinkles, because collagen supports fibroblasts. These serve as bridges that support for the skin at its surface.
IPL and LED
With intense pulsed light, or IPL, a broad-spectrum light that filters out harmful wavelengths is used, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Light emitting devices, or LED, can help treat skin discoloration as well as fine wrinkling. The way the skin is prompted to form collagen and elastin proteins is similar to the way photosynthesis works in plants. It triggers the body to convert the light energy into cell energy, according to David McDaniel, M.D., in the May, 2005 edition of "Day Spa" magazine. He is a dermatologist and cofounder of Light BioScience in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Visible Light
Most light therapy devices used for skincare emit visible light. Their wavelengths range from 400 to 700nm. Some also extend emit light in the near-infrared range, according to "Day Spa" magazine.
Subtle Results
Patients should not expect quick results with light therapy, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Results are likely to be extremely incremental and will vary, just as sun damage in people varies. The aftercare skin regimen can have a strong impact on results as well, the guide reports.
New Technology
The technology for light therapy devices is still evolving, and results for wrinkles are still being investigated. Light therapy increasingly is being used in conjunction with other treatments. Initial reports on IPL therapy regarding collagen and elastic fiber production are positive, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery.
Questions for a Doctor
Expertise in performing light therapy varies among doctors, especially because the technology is newer and still evolving. Some doctors do not perform it and others use it only in specific circumstances. If you're considering light therapy, ask the doctor how many times he has performed it, and whether he's been certified to perform it, and where the certification came from. Doctors are often trained by the equipment manufacturer to use the equipment, but this gives limited hands-on time with procedures. Hospitals give credentials to doctors whose training and expertise has been reviewed by an experienced peer group.
FDA Clearance
Companies must gain FDA clearance to make medical claims about their devices. Often, this is done by reviewing data in studies. When approving the safety and efficacy of the GentleWaves device, for example, the FDA reviewed a clinical study of 54 patients. The study concluded that more than half the study subjects had measurable improvement in skin wrinkling.
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