Skin Lasers? How Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy Improves Your Health
7 minute read
Don’t panic if you have no idea what photobiomodulation therapy is because not too many people do. That is all about to change, however, as this therapy gains more attention and recognition for being an efficient way to improve the health of your skin.
This advanced therapy uses light to improve skin health but not in the same way as the vitamin D-producing light from the sun. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a therapeutic treatment that uses low-powered lasers to send red light directly into your skin.
Here is everything you need to know about this promising innovation.
New Therapy on the Block
Despite its recent surge in popularity, PBM has actually been around for over 50 years. It was previously known as Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT).
During the treatment, you may see a fiery red glow, but no heat is emitted, meaning you don’t feel anything and there is no discomfort. Because each frequency creates unique biological changes, therapists may use different light frequencies depending on the result you want.
The low-level light emissions penetrate deep within your cells to create positive changes, all without you feeling a thing. Considered to be safe and well tolerated by most people, this therapeutic experience is quick with long-lasting benefits.
PBM is available at most dermatologist offices and even in some spas or salons. If you have autoimmune conditions, arthritis, hair loss, poor skin health, or even need help with weight loss, PBM is worth looking into.
The effectiveness of this therapy has led the FDA to approve it for use for a number of conditions, including:
♦ Improvement of blood flow and circulation
♦ Repair of soft tissue damage
♦ Improvement of skin tone
♦ Boosting natural collagen and fibroblast production
♦ Reduction of oxidative stress
♦ Formation of new blood capillaries
♦ Activation of lymphatic system
♦ Reduction of recurring skin conditions
♦ Reduction of inflammation
Understanding what conditions PBM can help you with is one thing, but knowing how specifically it works is what many want to know. The process is designed on the basis that every living organism needs cellular energy to function. ATP is the source of this energy; without it, your cells cannot function and neither can you.
Healthy cells will produce ATP regularly through a very simple process. However, when they are unhappy, this process is disrupted. Stressed cells produce nitric oxide, which competes with oxygen.
Without proper binding of oxygen, cells cannot produce ATP, resulting in little to no energy for cellular function. When this happens, the health of your cells and you are both compromised.
PBM produces a positive environment for cells, affording them the opportunity to produce the energy they need.
Red light penetrates your skin to the cellular level and stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species. It also breaks apart the bonds nitric oxide has formed, allowing more bonding opportunity for oxygen molecules. More bonding means more energy is produced.
Healthy Skin and Beyond
By improving cellular health, the health of your various organs will also improve. Because of the ability for PBM to reach our cells and promote health at this microscopic level, the benefits you can see are wide-reaching. They include:
Better Skin
PBM is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after therapies for anti-aging programs, reduced wrinkles, and the reduction of major skin issues.
The red light emissions stimulate fibroblasts which are cells located within the second layer of your skin. These are responsible for synthesizing collagen production. By increasing circulation and promoting the generation of collagen, PBM, like other alternative skin treatments, gives your skin the boost you have been looking for.
Increased collagen not only improves skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles, it also helps speed up wound healing. PBM can improve conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis as well as help heal damage from wounds or cancerous sores.
Healthier Hair
Because collagen plays an important role in hair health, PBM can help with hair loss too. Along with increased collagen production, the improved circulation triggered by PBM allows thinning and weaker hair to get all the nutrients it needs to grow again.
Nutrient deficiency and other health issues can contribute to hair loss or hair thinning, and PBM is a great, natural way to reverse the damage.
Weight Control
PBM has been found to impact your metabolism, which means it can help with weight control. PBM directly affects the cells that store fat by reducing the presence of a specific protein associated with insulin resistance and high triglyceride levels.
PBM has also been shown to control levels of leptin, which is responsible for regulating hunger, thereby helping to control your appetite and prevent overeating.
Thyroid Health
Light therapy like PBM has been successfully used in the treatment of thyroid disorders. Certain thyroid antibodies trigger autoimmune thyroid disorders, and PBM light therapy reduces the levels of these antibodies.
This means you will have a less extreme autoimmune reaction and less severe symptoms. Regular use of PBM therapy provides patients with thyroid disorders an opportunity to reduce the medications they need to take.
Healthier Joints
Collagen production and cellular energy both play a role in joint health and maintenance. Collagen is essentially the shock absorber of your joints and also serves as glue to keep them together.
| Related: How to Stop Arthritis From Taking Away Your Favorite Activities |
Arthritis and other degenerative diseases, as well as chronic inflammation can deteriorate your joints and breaking up the collagen. PBM has been found to reduce inflammation and other symptoms associated with degenerative joint conditions, which reduces pain and discomfort for those with arthritis.
The Bottom Line
PBM is the latest in new therapies to improve skin health. However, by reaching our cells directly and improving cellular function, the benefits go far beyond the skin. PBM is safe and efficient and can boost skin health and produces immediate results.
Whether you are looking to reduce irritating skin conditions or just boost skin health and overall health, PBM is the therapy of the future.
