ASCP Skin Deep

November | December 2014

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Create your free business website! www.ascpskincare.com 35 There is also a big difference in the amount of energy they put out. LEDs produce just a fraction of the energy produced by IPL and lasers. LED devices may have settings for continuous or pulsed output, but a pulsed LED is still an LED. This is not the same as IPL. How Can Light Heal Skin? In much the same way that plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into tissue, light at the appropriate wavelength and dose can trigger a natural cellular reaction in animals. The part of a molecule that absorbs color (in other words, light) is called a chromophore. When light is absorbed by chromophores, it is taken into the mitochondria of the cell to initiate a photochemical effect, and subsequently a biological effect in the tissue. For instance, when red light is applied to the skin, the effect it creates after being absorbed into the cells is to convert glucose to adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This, in turn, allows the cell to replicate more efficiently and start to participate in the healing process of the skin. Cells that are not functioning optimally stand to benefit the most from LED treatments. The outcome of this is increased cellular energy and better circulation, leading to greater tone, texture, color, and overall health and vitality of the skin. A certain amount of light must be absorbed by the tissue being treated in order to activate a cell response. It is still debatable what the best protocol is for any specific treatment. Many manufacturers of LED equipment have their own individual treatment protocols based on studies performed with their equipment—this is helpful, because LED equipment with a lower energy output may require more exposure time to obtain the desired effect, and vice versa. Some LED devices include a positioning system to help provide optimum cell response. But all protocols must take into consideration the treatment objective when deciding on a suitable time frame, number of sessions, wavelength, joule (energy) output, and whether continuous or pulsed light should be used. In much the same way that plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into tissue, light at the appropriate wavelength and dose can trigger a natural cellular reaction. Different Colors, Different Uses As mentioned, the wavelength of radiation determines how far into the skin or body it can penetrate. Different colors are similar enough in wavelength that the benefits overlap to some extent, so research into the best treatment protocols continues to develop. However, here is the general consensus on the benefits of each color: Red LED • Antiaging and regenerative effects, partially by activating fibroblasts. • Increases the rate of healing. • Increases circulation. • Decreases hyperpigmentation. Yellow/Amber LED • Stimulates immune system. • Increases the rate of healing. • Decreases lymphedema. Green LED • Decreases erythema/couperose. • Decreases hyperpigmentation. • Decreases inflammation. • Increases the rate of healing. Blue LED • Penetrates the epidermis and dermis. • Kills acne bacteria. Acne bacteria create small molecules called porphyrins, which produce oxygen molecules when exposed to blue light. This destroys the acne bacteria (propioni), which are anaerobic and do not survive well in the presence of oxygen. • Decreases edema, erythema, and inflammation. • Increases the rate of healing. • Increases cellular regeneration. • Increases circulation. • Stimulates the lymphocytes (white blood cells).

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