PHOTOTHERAPY: WHAT DO WE KNOW AND HOW DOES IT WORK? Suite 3/36 O'Riordan Street Alexandria, Sydney NSW Australia

Transcription

1 PHOTOTHERAPY: WHAT DO WE KNOW AND HOW DOES IT WORK? Suite 3/36 O'Riordan Street Alexandria, Sydney NSW Australia

2 DOCTORATE IN HEALTH SCIENCE DEAKIN UNIVERSITY Member College of Health Psychology, APS Member of Nutrition Society of Australia Promotion of Health and Prevention of Disease Master of Applied Science (Neuroscience) Bachelor of Science (Hons)

3 WHAT IS LIGHT? THE LIFE ENERGY OF LIGHT

4 THE POWER OF LIGHT TO PENETRATE Can Light Penetrate Skin? Skin is translucent: Light penetrates skin Which wavelengths penetrate and which wavelengths are the most effective in stimulating cell growth? It is mainly red light ( nm) that is transmitted through the skin It is the energy of red and IR light penetrating 3-4mm that promotes cell growth

5 WHAT IS LIGHT ENERGY? Light is electromagnetic radiation that we can see. Light beams are made of tiny 'packets' called photons. They travel from the source in a line through space until they are obstructed by matter. Light contains energy. It can penetrate skin and release energy to generate cell metabolism. NASA TECHNOLOGY In 2000 NASA-funded research showed remarkable results using the light-emitting diodes to promote healing of painful mouth ulcers caused by cancer therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy. Near infrared light emitted by these LEDs seemed to be perfect for increasing energy inside cells. The treatment was quick and painless.

6 LED TREATMENT: THE FACTS NASA s space program has proven that L.E.D Light Therapy promotes wound healing and human tissue growth. Research has shown that energy delivered by the L.E.D. enhances cellular metabolism, accelerates the repair and replenishment of damaged skin cells, and Stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, the foundation of a healthy and smooth skin. Anatomy of the Skin The effects of LLLT are photochemical, not thermal; responses of cells occur due to changes in photoacceptor molecules ie. Chromophores; molecules which are able to absorb photonic energy; Cells absorb photonic energy into chromophores, which stimulates cellular metabolism

7 THE RESEARCH FINDINGS The question is no longer whether light has biological effects but rather how energy from therapeutic lasers and LEDs works at the cellular and organism levels and what are the optimal light parameters for different uses of these light sources. Mechanisms for Low-Light Therapy, edited by Michael R. Hamblin, Ronald W. Waynant, Juanita Anders, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 6140, , (2006) doi: / ANTI-AGEING LED FROM NASA RESEARCH Researchers noticed that LED light therapy regenerated skin tissue, boosted collagen production and improved the appearance of the skin. LED equipment was then developed for use by dermatologists to treat a range of skin disorders like acne and rosacea and as a pain free alternative to facial surgery for skin rejuvenation ANTI-AGEING RESULTS FROM LED Clinical results for red LED skin treatment have been excellent subjects report: overall lifting and hydrating of skin, improvement in skin tone and texture, evening out of pigmentation, smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles and a feeling of well being and relaxation. There were no reported problems.

8 IRREGULAR COLLAGENOUS FIBERS (PINK) AND FIBROBLAST NUCLEI (PURPLE); FROM THE DERMIS OF THE SKIN The question is no longer whether light has biological effects but rather how energy from therapeutic lasers and LEDs works at the cellular and organism levels and what are the optimal light parameters for different uses of these light sources. RED LED Red LED skin treatment improves rosacea, removes skin blemishes and sun damage and promotes younger-looking skin. Red LED produce the same light frequencies as lasers but without the intense heat and tissue damage. LEDs produce a diffuse and even light that penetrates more deeply than laser light and is easily applied over the whole area of treatment

9 ANTI-AGEING RESULTS FROM LED Around 40 years of age, the body slows down its production of collagen and elastin causing sagging skin and wrinkles. L.E.D., Lasers and IPL treatment stimulates new collagen and elastin production LED skin treatment is FDA approved, gentle, painless, safe and effective LED skin treatment is completely non invasive and non abrasive and yet the red light penetrates deeply into skin tissue. APPLICATIONS OF LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY There are three main areas of medicine and veterinary practice where LLT has a major role to play (i) wound healing, tissue repair and prevention of tissue death; (ii) relief of inflammation in chronic diseases and injuries with its associated pain and oedema; (iii) relief of neurogenic pain and some neurological problems.

10 CANCER Small tumours in the lungs, oesophagus and some body cavities can be destroyed without the negative effects of chemotherapy by using FDA-approved light therapy. A chemical that sensitises cancer cells to light is injected into the body. After a day a selected wavelength of light is applied to the tumour, which then dies leaving healthy surrounding cells unharmed. There is also some evidence that this treatment stimulates the immune system to kill other cancer cells. BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS Using specialized light emitting diodes (LEDs), based on NASA technology biologists have found that cells exposed to near-infrared light that is, energy just outside the visible range from LEDs cells grow 150 to 200 % faster than those cells not stimulated by such light DEPRESSION A report of a study, which appeared in the American Journal of Psychiatry, found that the effects of light therapy, also known as phototherapy, are comparable to those found in many clinical studies of antidepressant drug therapy for these disorders.

11 WOUNDS HEAL FASTER WITH LIGHT In a recent 2008 study, wounded rats healed significantly faster than controls without light therapy, when polarized (uni-directional) infrared light was applied to their wounds. Other studies show that Red-orange visible light and invisible infra-red light at 820nm work the best for wound healing. MECHANISMS OF LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY Both the absorption and scattering of light in tissue are wavelength dependent and are optimal at wavelengths shorter than 600-nm. The mechanism of LLLT at the cellular level was based on the absorption of monochromatic visible and IR radiation by components of the cellular respiratory chain. Absorption of photons by molecules leads to electronically excited states and consequently can lead to acceleration of electron transfer reactions As a result researchers found increased oxidation of cytochrome c, increased electron transfer and increased enzyme activity Increased cellular activity leads to increased protein production and regeneration of new cells Researchers have known for a long time that very low doses of LLLT can cause cell proliferation and tissue stimulation Skin cells are replaced every 7-8 days as are other body tissue and organs Human fibroblasts were exposed to LLLT showed 111 genes were affected by light, indicating that LLLT stimulates cell growth directly by regulating the expression of specific genes, as well as indirectly by regulating the expression of the genes related to DNA synthesis and repair, and cell metabolism.

12 FIBROBLASTS Generate new Collagen and Elastin CRITICAL FACTORS Wavelength Wavelength in the nm range are chosen for treating superficial tissue, and wavelengths between 780 and 950 are chosen for deeper-seated tissues due to longer optical penetration distances through tissue. Non-coherent light vs Laser LED with the same centre wavelength and intensity is based on light, not thermal energy, and is not destructive of cells compared to the coherence and monochromatic nature of laser radiation that relies on heat and controlled injury to the skin tissue. Dose Due to the existence of a biphasic dose response curve, choosing the correct dosage of light (in terms of energy density) for any specific medical condition is critical.

13 Pulsed or CW Pulse structure is an important factor in LLLT; better results occur using 1 or 2 Hz pulses Polarisation status Polarized light has better effects in LLLT applications, especially for superficial applications to the upper layers of the skin. Systemic effects LLLT is mostly applied to localized diseases however systemic effects of LLLT acting at a site distant from the Illumination are reported WHY LUMAVESCENCE? IT COMPLIES WITH THE KNOWN CRITICAL FACTORS RIGHT Wavelength. RIGHT Non-coherent light. RIGHT Dose RIGHT Pulsed Light Frequency RIGHT Polarisation status WHOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTH: NUTRITION EXERCISE ENVIRONMENT HEALTHY DIET high fibre, antioxidants, fish oil (omega), low saturated fat, vegetables, FRESH food. SUPPLEMENTS: Antioxidants anti-ageing, improves circulation Multivitamins and Minerals - Vit B group, Folic Acid, Zinc essential for metabolism, enzyme production Omega 3 - Improves cardio-vascular system Calcium improves bone strength and prevents osteoporosis

14 FRESH FOOD