Can red light therapy reduce rosacea?

Rosacea is a frustrating chronic skin condition that causes facial redness, visible blood vessels, bumps, and irritation. While there is no cure, red light therapy is one of the most effective treatments for managing rosacea symptoms. Exposure to specific wavelengths of light can significantly improve many aspects of rosacea. Please keep reading as I explain how red light therapy provides benefits for rosacea and how to select the optimal type of red light therapy.

Understanding Rosacea

First, let’s make sure we understand what exactly rosacea is. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that primarily affects the face. It often begins as blushing or flushing that later develops into persistent redness, bumps, and visible blood vessels. While the exact cause is unknown, contributing factors may include:

• Abnormal immune and blood vessel responses
• Disorder of the nervous system
• Microbial organisms like mites or bacteria
• Genetic predisposition

The four subtypes of rosacea are:

• Erythematotelangiectatic: Redness and flushing of the skin
• Papulopustular: Acne-like breakouts
• Phymatous: Thickening skin and irregular surface textures
• Ocular: Dryness, burning, and irritation of the eyes

While rosacea cannot be cured, a number of treatments can help control the symptoms. One of the most promising is red light therapy.

How Red Light Improve Rosacea?

Reduce Vasodilation

Rosacea leads to increased blood vessel dilation near the surface of the skin. This vascular component causes the characteristic redness and visible spider veins. Red light is able to constrict these dilated blood vessels and reduce leakage and inflammation. This diminishes visible redness.[1]

Increase Blood Flow

While counterintuitive, increasing circulation with red light actually improves rosacea. Improved blood flow enhances the removal of waste and delivery of nutrients to skin cells. This supports repair and healthier tissue.[2]

Reduce Inflammation

Red light exposure has anti-inflammatory effects. It inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules. Reducing inflammation helps calm many rosacea symptoms like facial redness, pimples, and burning sensations. [3]

Stimulate Collagen

Collagen is vital for healthy, supple skin. Red light boosts collagen production, which thickens and strengthens the skin barrier. This alleviates symptoms and helps heal damage from flare-ups.[4]

Killing bacteria

Certain light spectra are antimicrobial, able to kill off bacteria linked to rosacea like mites and Bacillus oleronius. This helps clear clogged follicles and pores.[5]

In essence, red light “resets” the faulty immune and vascular responses behind rosacea, reducing inflammation and improving circulation. This leads to significant improvement in both surface symptoms and root causes. Let’s now overview the best ways to implement red light therapy for rosacea.

The most common light treatments use blue, red, and near-infrared wavelengths. Each targets rosacea in slightly different ways:

• Blue light (400-470 nm) possesses potent antibacterial properties to destroy acne-causing bacteria on the skin and reduce ocular rosacea symptoms.
• Red light (620–700 nm) penetrates skin deeply and decreases inflammation. It also improves circulation and cellular function.
• Near infrared light (800–1200 nm) reduces inflammation and swelling while stimulating collagen rebuilding and skin regeneration.

Using these wavelengths alone or in combination provides noticeable improvement for most rosacea patients.

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

Benefits Compared to Other Rosacea Treatments

Red light therapy has unique advantages compared to conventional rosacea treatments:

• Well-tolerated: Red light has minimal side effects compared to medications that may cause stinging, peeling, irritation, etc.
• Natural treatment: Red light works with the body’s natural healing mechanisms. No unnatural chemicals.
• Prevents outbreaks: consistent use reduces future flare-ups. Medications only treat active symptoms.
• Affordable: Home red light devices cost less than prescription creams over time.

While no single treatment is universally effective for rosacea, red light therapy is certainly emerging as a front-line option given its safety, affordability, and efficacy. Our dermatology team recommends rosacea patients give it a try before resorting to harsher medications.

Source: The picture comes from the Internet

How do you use red light therapy for rosacea?

To get the most out of your light therapy treatment, be sure to also follow these rosacea skin care best practices:

1. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturize daily to protect and hydrate skin. Avoid irritants like alcohol.
2. Apply sunscreen daily, even indoors. UV light exacerbates redness and inflammation.
3. Identify and avoid food/drink triggers like spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol that may flare up rosacea.
4. Drink plenty of water and take anti-inflammatory supplements like omega-3, turmeric, or green tea.
5. Manage stress with exercise, meditation, yoga, etc. Stress hormones aggravate rosacea.
6. Consume probiotics and fermented foods to support gut health and a healthy skin microbiome.

With diligent light therapy and supportive care, most rosacea patients see a marked improvement in symptoms like facial redness, acne, and irritation. Be patient while finding the most effective light treatment protocol for your skin. Your complexion and confidence will thank you!

Choosing Right Light Therapy Device

Start Your Light Therapy Journey with RedDot LED. RedDot LED offers leading red light therapy masks and panels to meet all your at-home light therapy needs. Here’s why to choose RedDot LED for your rosacea treatment:

• Quality You Can Trust: All RedDot LED products are FDA-cleared medical devices.
• Multiple Wavelengths: Our masks use clinical-grade blue, red, and infrared LEDs at optimal intensities and wavelengths to target the full spectrum of rosacea symptoms.
• Ease of Use: Our comfortable, user-friendly masks are fully adjustable and only need a brief 20-minute daily session for proven results. Fits your schedule.
• After-sales guarantee: Our LEDs can provide up to 3 years of warranty, so you can rest assured after sales.

Give yourself the gift of clear, healthy skin with REDDOT LED light therapy device. Order your device today to finally get your rosacea under control.

Reference:

[1] Elisabetta Sorbellini, Maria Pia De Padova, Fabio Rinaldi. Coupled blue and red light-emitting diodes therapy efficacy in patients with rosacea: two case reports. Journal of Medical Case Reports. 28 January 2020.

[2] Michael C H Mak 1, Gladys L Y Cheing. Immediate effects of monochromatic infrared energy on microcirculation in healthy subjects. Photomed Laser Surg. 2012 Apr;30(4):193-9.

[3] Susan Pei, Arun C. Inamadar, Keshavmurthy A. Adya, and Maria M. Tsoukas. Light-based therapies in acne treatment. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015 May-Jun; 6(3): 145–157.

[4] Seung Yoon Lee, Ki-Ho Park, Jung-woo Choi, et al. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. Volume 88, Issue 1, 27 July 2007, Pages 51-67.

[5] Michael H. Gold, Jaggi Rao, Mitchel P. Goldman, et al. A multicenter clinical evaluation of the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris of the face with visible blue light in comparison to topical 1% clindamycin antibiotic solution. J Drugs Dermatol. 2005 Jan-Feb;4(1):64-70.