But, how exactly does Light resolve acne?

Light Therapy has quickly become the top-performing trend in beauty. With show-stopping results spanning wrinkle reversal, acne resolution, and collagen boosting, it's no wonder why this technology has risen to the forefront of consumer demand. Light Therapy devices make big promises, but does the hype stand up to the technical investigation and clinical result analysis? Can something as simple as shining a precision dose of light upon the skin really cause the youthful effects celebrities are raving about?

Today, we will discuss the mechanisms of Light Therapy, uncover the core mechanisms of action, and answer how exactly our water-rich bodies use light energy to repair damage.

Light Therapy: Fact or Fiction?

While celebrities and influencers alike have embraced the incredible technology of healing light, it's easy to be skeptical about the underlying science. This skepticism is both warranted & important - the reported outcomes seem much too good to be true through mere irradiance alone. 

Observing a person using Light Therapy, or the precise application of light to stimulate a biological benefit, looks like something out of science fiction: 

• An array of LEDs emanates a warm glow of light upon the skin, increasing the electrical energy of the cells absorbing the radiant power.
• The skin cells behave like a solar-panel sponge, soaking up the light’s energy and using this captured energy to increase bloodflow, increase chemical energy (ATP) production, and reduce inflammation.
• As the skin tissue is bathed in the warm radiant energy, it behaves like a battery increasing in charge. With full charge, the skin cells are able to fight off infection, shed withered cells, grow new youthful cells, and repair scarred damage.
• In short, the body heals itself, light provides the energy.
• Light Therapy, in its simplest form is akin to charging the cellular battery. Optimal cellular energy (both electrical & chemical) is necessary for optimal skin.

The scientific discussion of Light Therapy mechanisms also requires a discussion on the photosynthetic nature of biology. The most common, consistent, and stunning result of Photobiomodulation (the technical name for Light Therapy) is the increase in cellular energy [1]. All Biology increases its usable cellular energy through proper doses of light energy because Water is photoelectric - ie Water captures radiant energy and stores it as electrical charge. This essential observation of ‘Biological Photoelectricity’ deserves a pinnacle position in physiology. Our animal cells (composed of primarily water) along with all other forms of life exhibit photosynthesis - the conversion of photons into usable cellular energy. Although this claim of Water-Solar Photosynthesis is outside the scope of the current ‘scientific canon’ - the quiet fact remains present - awaiting patiently for our paradigm to take another step towards Natural Truth.

Now, we will turn to a detailed review of the mechanism of Light Therapy or Photobiomodulation by the world-class expert Dr. Michael Hamblin of Harvard University. Throughout this wonderful review, Dr. Hamblin reveals the impacts of cells absorbing radiant energy ranging from boosting ATP, to reducing oxidative stress, to reducing inflammation and beyond.

Across this technical deep-dive we will gain even greater confidence in our simple summary ‘The body heals itself, Light provides extra energy’. 

Light Therapy and Cellular Energy Study of the Week

Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation [Read Here]
At a glance: 

• Clinical Review | Harvard Medical School, Boston. Wellman Center for Photomedicine
• Results: “We found that combining the massaging device with a skin anti-aging formulation amplified the beneficial effects of the cream.”
• Published in journal: AIMS Biophysics

Abstract: 

Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level level laser therapy is the use of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation. The primary chromophores have been identified as cytochrome c oxidase in mitochondria, and calcium ion channels (possibly mediated by light absorption by opsins). Secondary effects of photon absorption include increases in ATP, a brief burst of reactive oxygen species, an increase in nitric oxide, and modulation of calcium levels. Tertiary effects include activation of a wide range of transcription factors leading to improved cell survival, increased proliferation and migration, and new protein synthesis. There is a pronounced biphasic dose response whereby low levels of light have stimulating effects, while high levels of light have inhibitory effects. It has been found that PBM can produce ROS in normal cells, but when used in oxidatively stressed cells or in animal models of disease, ROS levels are lowered. PBM is able to up-regulate anti-oxidant defenses and reduce oxidative stress. It was shown that PBM can activate NF-kB in normal quiescent cells, however in activated inflammatory cells, inflammatory markers were decreased. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for disorders of the joints, traumatic injuries, lung disorders, and in the brain. PBM has been shown to reduce markers of M1 phenotype in activated macrophages. Many reports have shown reductions in reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins in various animal models. PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, spinal cord.

Blog Discussion: 

Dr.Hamblin takes readers seeking the deep technical discussion on Light Therapy on an illuminating journey. Across this review, Dr. Hamblin lays bare the consistent observations in Light Therapy - a biological stimulation to improve health of the tissue, without harmful side effects. 

Dr. Hamblin provides a key insight in his conclusion:
“PBM has an almost complete lack of reported adverse effects, provided the parameters are understood at least at a basic level. The remarkable range of medical benefits provided by PBM, has led some to suggest that it may be “too good to be true”. However one of the most general benefits of PBM that has recently emerged, is its pronounced anti-inflammatory effects.” [Hamblin]

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The truths held within these three sentences lay at the foundation of Light Therapy. The application of the Light onto the skin is inherently safe with a complete lack of reported adverse effects, given that the device you are using is quality. The awareness surrounding light therapy is quickly gaining traction, and the general populace is often surprised to learn just how vast the field of clinical research surrounding Light Therapy truly is.

To date, over 8,700 clinical studies on the healing effects of light have been completed, organized, and indexed into the following database: http://www.bitly.com/PBM-database

This database reveals the staggering scope of applications where Light Therapy has demonstrated safe & effective results. How

But, how exactly does Light resolve acne?

And so we arrive again at our original question, returning from the world of photosynthetic biology and the deep-dive of technical analysis. How exactly does Light resolve acne?

Well, the answer in its simplest form remains ‘the body heals itself, light provides extra energy.’

Whenever discussing the use-case-specific benefits of Light Therapy, it is useful for us to repeat the three primary benefits of use: increased blood flow, increased cellular energy, and a reduction of inflammation. Regardless of what outcome we are discussing, we can speak in broad strokes to say that any cell receiving Light Therapy will improve its function due to increased energy and blood flow. The tissue experiencing acne knows it is operating in a non-optimal state - the skin is not confused whether or not it has acne, but it lacks the energy & resources to resolve the issue. Through the precision dosing of the skin with light therapy, the underlying insult causing acne is addressed, providing the cells with a necessary boost of energy to resolve the damage.

Light Therapy and Acne Study of the Week

Emerging lasers and light-based therapies in the management of acne: a review [Read Here]
At a glance: 

• Clinical Review | Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery
• Conclusion highlight: “The studies reviewed in our study have shown that laser and light-based therapies can be highly effective in treating acne, both as monotherapies and in combination with other therapies..”
• Published in journal: Lasers Medicine Science

Abstract: 

Acne vulgaris, commonly known as acne, is the most prevalent skin disorder affecting mainly adolescents and young adults, though it can affect people of all ages, making it the most common complaint by patients presenting to a dermatologist. The overactivity of sebaceous glands primarily drives this skin condition due to androgen influence and the presence of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria. Although typically not directly harmful to patient health, acne can be a highly debilitating disease for patients, affecting their self-image and psychosocial well-being. Standard treatments include topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics, and, for more severe cases, systemic antibiotics or isotretinoin, which require prolonged periods of compliance. All these pharmacologic treatments have a risk of side effects ranging from mild ones, like skin irritation and dryness, to severe ones, like depression. Thus, there is a demand for exploring other treatment modalities in treating acne, and laser and light-based therapies have garnered significant interest. This review article will comprehensively assess emerging laser and other light-based therapies that have shown efficacy in treating acne, including the recently FDA-approved 1,726 nm laser.

Blog Discussion: 

This deep technical dive into acne mechanisms provides a robust body of work - surely beyond the details necessary to convince even the biggest Light Therapy skeptic. The findings revealed high effective results, but also notably include caution about the quality of device providing the light dosing. Time and time again, light therapy users will be given a dose of light that is much too-high or much too-low, whether due to poor equipment or setup mistakes, resulting in null results for the user. The clinical review is clear in demonstrating a safe & effective result for humans treating acne - but only if the proper dose & wavelength are taken into account.

In summary, it is essential to review that your Light Therapy device is built to the rigorous standards of engineering design & photobiological parameters necessary for optimal results. Historically, cheap device manufacturers will cut-corners, over-report irradiance values, or simply not publish the essential specifications necessary to know for use. Thus, a word of recommendation to any prospective users or customers to always ensure their device is built by a trusted, expert, & transparent manufacturing.

This is just the beginning of what precision light can unlock. In our next article, we’ll explore how microcurrent stimulation leverages the body’s own electrical systems to drive deeper healing. We’ll take the conversation one step further—demonstrating how targeted energy technologies recharge the skin’s cellular battery and elevate performance at the biological level. 

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