How Can Red-Light Therapy Alleviate Eczema and Psoriasis?
Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis affect millions across America, with over 30 million dealing with eczema and 8 million with psoriasis. Traditional treatments often fall short, offering limited relief and frequently accompanied by side effects.
Promising Results with Red-Light Therapy
Exciting new research indicates that red-light therapy can significantly alleviate symptoms associated with eczema and psoriasis. This non-invasive treatment has been shown to reduce itchiness and redness, enhance the appearance of rashes and flaking, and decrease inflammation, making it a compelling alternative to conventional treatments.
Understanding the Challenges of Current Treatments
Eczema includes a range of skin conditions, while psoriasis is a complex autoimmune disorder. Both result in inflamed, itchy skin that is challenging to manage. Without a cure, treatment focuses on symptom management, typically involving ointments, creams, and prescription drugs, all of which offer limited efficacy and come with potential side effects.
Clinical Studies Highlight Red-light Therapy Benefits for Eczema
In a pivotal human trial, 81 eczema patients were monitored over a year to evaluate the effects of red-light therapy. Participants received one 2-minute session per week, leading to notable improvements, such as reduced follicular keratosis, pityriasis, erythema, and papules. Additionally, patients experienced less itchiness and fewer leathery patches, with no adverse effects reported. Researchers concluded that red-light therapy could become a preferred treatment for eczema symptoms.
Laboratory Findings Support Red-light Therapy
Several lab studies corroborate the benefits of red-light therapy for eczema, especially when combined with other treatments. For instance:
Combination with Immunosuppressive Drugs:
A 2013 study revealed that red-light therapy, combined with an immunosuppressive drug, significantly reduced skin lesion severity and inflammation while restoring the skin barrier.
Red-light and Warm Water Baths:
Another study demonstrated that combining red-light therapy with a hot water bath reduced inflammation, skin lesions, and allergic reactions.
Assessment with SCORAD:
A 2017 study using the SCORAD tool found that red-light therapy reduced skin thickness, allergy-related cells, and dead cell buildup in the epidermis.
Red-light Therapy for Psoriasis Management
Psoriasis is a persistent condition often resistant to conventional treatments. However, initial studies on red-light therapy show promising results:
Significant Symptom Reduction:
A 2010 study treating chronic psoriasis patients with red-light therapy over 4-5 weeks showed a 60% to 100% clearance rate of psoriasis symptoms and high patient satisfaction.
Comparative Study:
Another double-blind, randomized study involving 20 psoriasis patients found that red-light therapy reduced redness, hardening, and scaling of the skin.
Reducing Inflammation and Promoting Healing
Red-light therapy consistently reduces inflammation, alleviating itching and pain, and promoting faster healing. These benefits are well-documented across numerous peer-reviewed clinical trials, with the FDA indicating red-light therapy for pain and strain treatment.
Conclusion:
Red-light therapy offers a natural, safe and effective treatment option for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, reducing itchiness and inflammation and accelerating skin healing.
Unlike prescription drugs and invasive procedures, red-light therapy is safe, natural, and free from significant side effects, making it an excellent alternative for managing these chronic skin conditions.
References
Morita H, Kohno J. et al. Clinical Application of GaAlAs 830 nm Diode Laser for Atopic Dermatitis. *Laser Therapy*. 1993 vol 5.
Kim CH, Cheong KA, Lee AY. 850nm light-emitting-diode phototherapy plus low-dose tacrolimus (FK-506) as combination therapy in the treatment of Dermatophagoides farinae-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. *Journal of Dermatological Science*. 2013 Nov.
Kim CH, Cheong KA, et al. Effects of low-dose light-emitting-diode therapy in combination with water bath for atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. *Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine*. 2016 Jan.
Jekal SJ, Park MS, et al. The Combined Effects of Curcumin Administration and 630 nm LED Phototherapy against DNCB-induced Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Lesions in BALB/c Mice. *Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science*. 2017 June.
Ablon G. Combination 830-nm and 633-nm light-emitting diode phototherapy shows promise in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis: preliminary findings. *Photomedicine and Laser Surgery*. 2010 Feb.
Kleinpenning MM, Otero ME, et al. Efficacy of blue light vs. red-light in the treatment of psoriasis: a double-blind, randomized comparative study. *Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology*. 2012 Feb.
Written by Therese Cassar
