Does red light therapy tighten loose skin?
Beyond Red Light TherapyLoose skin can appear anywhere on the body and is also the leading cause of fine lines and wrinkles.
The most common causes of loose skin are aging and weight loss. One of the primary contributors to good skin condition is collagen development. Red light therapy has been shown to significantly increase collagen production – research suggests as much as 211% [1]. The skin naturally loses its natural elastin which tightens the skin. One of the larger benefits of PBMt for skin care is how it tightens the elastin layer. If we can thicken and tighten skin then we can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Red light both increases collagen and tightens elastin.
Green light has been shown in recent research to outperform red light for wound healing. Photobiomodulation therapy or red light therapy is a non-invasive and painless wellness treatment that uses red and near-infrared (NIR) light in order to stimulate mitochondria in the cells.
When the cells are low on energy, they are not producing enough “power” and are focused primarily on survival. This condition is named “Mitochondrial dysfunction” and can have many causes, including chronic inflammation or oxidative stress. According to the newest studies, Red Light Therapy may potentially reverse this dysfunction and restore cells’ energy production.
Some of the most recognizable reasons for loose skin are:
- Weight loss
- Pregnancy
- Aging
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
How does Red Light Therapy tighten loose skin?
Researchers suggest that when red light shines onto the skin, it absorbs into the tissues, interacting with the light-sensitive chromophores in the cell. This interaction stimulates mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). A boost in ATP helps cells perform their normal specialized functions and repair and regenerate at full capacity.
While all body benefits from improved cellular energy production, these cells are exceptionally responsive to red light:
- Fibroblasts
- This type of cell contributes to the formation of connective tissue, a fibrous cellular material that supports and connects other tissues or organs in the body.
- Epithelial cells
- Those are the cells that cover the inside and outside of the surfaces of the body. They form the epithelial tissue surrounding the different body surfaces, body cavities, and organs.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy for loose skin
According to the research, Red Light Therapy may be able to tighten loose skin by benefiting the skin cells that produce collagen and elastin. One of the crucial keys to restoring firmness and elasticity in the skin is stimulating healthy collagen production that will support the skin. Skin wellness also relies on good blood and lymph circulation. Lymph removes waste from the skin, and blood flow brings nutrients to the skin, reducing oxidative stress and the presence of cell-damaging pathogens.
Endothelial cells comprise the outer layer of capillaries and are present in the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems. A 2017 study, in particular, found that red light therapy promotes the growth of endothelial cells to improve circulation. PBMt helps in all of the above conditions. It generates a systemic shift in the cells which affects nearly every tissue organ and system in the body. Affecting the health of the liver affects the homeostasis of the entire body. Using a Red Light Therapy Bed, everything gets better, including the skin.
Research
In a study about the possible effects of RLT on tightening loose skin, Ten female patients, with an average age of 56.5 years, received two treatments one month apart with an infrared device. The individuals were examined and photographed before treatment and at 1 and 3 months post-treatment. Three treatment-independent evaluators compared the photographs and graded them on a standardized scale applied to seven regions subdividing the face and neck. The patients also rated their results. After evaluating the pictures, the difference in pretreatment and post-treatment scores was expressed as a percentage.
The most significant tightening was achieved over the malar region, the upper neck, and the body of the mandible. In these areas, the average tightening was 10%, 10%, and 12%, respectively. The patients reported a 32% improvement in the appearance of their cheeks and a 20% visible improvement in their necks. Overall, they were pleased with the result of this non-surgical skin tightening method.
Source: Facial skin tightening with an 1100-1800 nm infrared device
One hundred thirty-six volunteers participated in a randomized, controlled study.
Of these volunteers, 113 subjects randomly assigned into four treatment groups were treated twice a week with either 611–650 or 570–850 nm polychromatic light and were compared with controls. Irradiances and treatment durations varied in all treatment groups. The collected data included blinded evaluations of clinical photography, ultrasonographic collagen density measurements, mechanical digital profilometry, and an assessment of patient satisfaction.
As a result, the treated subjects experienced improved skin complexion and feeling, profilometrically assessed skin roughness and ultrasonographically measured collagen density. The blinded clinical evaluation of photographs confirmed the improvement in intervention groups compared with the control. In conclusion, compared to controls, RLT has demonstrated efficacy and safety for skin rejuvenation and intradermal collagen increase.
Source: Unlocking the Power of Light on the Skin: A Comprehensive Review on Photobiomodulation
Source: Stimulation of Collagen Production
Read more Photobiomodulation (PBM) research articles and useful information on the ARRC LED research page
