While some people might be skeptical about the benefits of light therapy for rejuvenation and regeneration, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that shows how it can be used to speed the recovery process after surgery. For the skin specifically, light therapy works by activating the cells that produce collagen in our bodies.
When applying light, especially in the 800-1100 nm infrared range, to the surgical site it stimulates the mitochondria in cells, the tiny power plants in cells, to produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for energy which in turn provides energy for cellular regeneration. Both lasers and LED’s can produce this infrared light for cell recovery.
Light therapy has been used for decades in Europe and Asia but has only recently gained popularity in North America. This light therapy helps accelerate recovery times after surgery or after an injury by encouraging the formation of new blood vessels and accelerating tissue repair. Light therapy, sometimes referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM), is being used in hospitals and clinics around the world to accelerate recovery post-surgery.
Notable benefits post-surgery include faster wound healing, reduced scarring, and inflammation reduction associated with surgical scars and other types of injuries, including burns and wounds from radiation therapy. LED-based technologies generally don’t require FDA approval, and laser-based light therapies have received FDA approval for certain treatments. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7356229
Many of the benefits of light therapy have been demonstrated in clinical studies for various surgical procedures—including breast cancer surgeries, brain surgery, shoulder replacement surgeries, and more. For skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and scar reduction, light therapy works by activating cells in our bodies called fibroblasts (which produce collagen), resulting in increased collagen production. Light therapy may also be helpful for healing after surgery because it can increase blood flow to the skin, promoting wound healing as well as helping wounds heal faster. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33788987
Modern light therapy technology is safe, cost-effective, and non-invasive, which means it can be used to treat a wide range of conditions without having to go through invasive surgery. Scientific research on light therapy, especially low-level light therapy in the red and infrared spectrum for wellness and rejuvenation, began in the 1960s with well over 3500 published studies by 2018, with more studies produced every year. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6091542
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