COLLAGEN LIGHT BACKGROUND

In over 40 years of independent research worldwide (especially Russia and Europe), intense red and infrared light therapy (photo-therapy) has shown powerful therapeutic benefits to living tissues. The cosmetic use of light therapy has grown dramatically over the past decade as physicians and aestheticians discovered the healing affect of light on the skin. Presently, many physicians use laser based light therapy in conjunction with their other treatment modalities to improve client appearance. The more recent development of non-laser, light therapy, devices has brought photo-therapy out of the physician’s office and placed it in the hands of aestheticians and skin care specialists. Current estimates suggest that over 3,000 skin care locations nationwide are using photo-therapy with many satisfied clients. The machines currently in use for cosmetic purposes typically utilize a pulsed combination of visible yellow, amber, red, and infrared light. Both visible red (620nm - 700nm) and invisible infrared light (700nm - 1200nm) clearly show at least 24 different positive changes at a cellular level. Visible red light, at a wavelength of 620 to 700nm (nanometers), penetrates human tissue to a depth of about 8-10 mm. Skin layers, because of their high blood and water content, easily absorb red light. It is extremely beneficial in treating problems close to the surface such as wrinkles, age spots, broken capillaries, wounds, cuts, and scars, trigger points, and have shown particular effectiveness in treating infections. Infrared light at 950nm penetrates to a depth of about 30-40 mm which makes it more effective for bones, joints, deep muscles, etc. Although both red and infrared wavelengths penetrate to different depths and affect tissues differently, their therapeutic effects are similar. Wavelength dependent photobiochemical reactions occur throughout nature and are involved in such things as vision, photosynthesis, tanning and Vitamin D metabolism. In this view, red and infrared intense light is really a form of phototherapy. Cosmetic use of this therapy has produced no reported discomfort or side effects. Several studies establish that it is the light itself at specific wavelengths that are therapeutic in nature and not the machine that produced it. As such, there is no therapeutic difference between Lasers, Fluorescent and LED therapy. All biological systems have a unique absorption spectrum that determines what wavelengths of radiation will be absorbed to produce a given therapeutic effect. The visible red and invisible infrared portions of the spectrum have been shown to have highly absorbent and unique therapeutic effects in living tissues, particularly the skin, connective, and muscle tissue.

What then does a photo-therapy treatment do?

• Increases circulation by increasing the formation of new capillaries, which are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. New capillaries speed up the healing process in damaged skin by carrying more oxygen as well as more nutrients needed for healing and they can also carry more waste products away.
• Stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is a major component of the connective tissue in the skin that creates strength and flexibility. Over time, the collagen levels in our skin decrease, causing wrinkles to form. External factors such as sun damage and smoking can also accelerate this process. Collagen is the essential protein used to repair damaged tissue and to replace old tissue. It is the substance that holds cells together and has a high degree of elasticity. By increasing collagen production less scar tissue is formed in damaged tissue.
• Diminishes hyper pigmentation or age spots
• Stimulates fibroblastic activity, which aids in the tissue repair process. Fibroblasts are present in connective tissue and are capable of forming collagen fibers.

Stimulates tissue granulation and connective tissue projections, which are part of the healing process of wounds, ulcers or inflamed tissue.

As you can readily see, photo-therapy (light therapy) actually heals the skin and supporting tissues. No other treatment you can provide to your clients can have such a beneficial effect.

Photo-therapy essentially works at the cellular level. Each cell contains a number of power plants, called mitochondria. The function of these power plants is to produce ATP, the form of energy that can be used by the cell to function properly. The inner mitochondrial membrane is a large collector surface folded onto a small total volume. All nutritive molecules (fats, proteins and glucose) are oxidized within the cell to the last molecular nutritive component, that is, pyruvate. The pyruvate is then imported into the cellular power plant, where it disintegrates into carbon dioxide and water in the immediate proximity of the collector surface of the mitochondrion. The molecular bond energy thus released, which corresponds with visible, ultraviolet and infrared light as far as its wavelength and frequency is concerned, is utilized by the mitochondrion to produce the cellular fuel ATP. The collector surface of our cellular power plant is enlarged by the mushroomshaped protrusions of the inner mitochondrial membrane. The molecular bond energy of the pyruvate is released in the form of light energy. The antennae pigments are capable of absorbing this light energy and transmit it to our cellular power plant, which can now produce the cellular fuel ATP. The natural solar radiation also stimulates the antennae pigments of the mitochondrion to produce ATP.

No other skin care treatment can stimulate the healing process with the efficiency and effectiveness of photo-therapy.