Skin is the largest organ in your body, covering about 20 square feet in total. Diseases of the skin have traditionally been treated by drugs. However, in recent times, use of light energy has been proven to be highly effective in treating these conditions . Light energy has become an effective and safe first line alternative to drugs.
Below is a cross section of skin.
Skin is composed of 3 layers – the upper layer is the epidermis or the outermost layer of the skin
Its purpose is to act as the body’s major barrier against the environment. It is continually being shed and replaced with new skin about every 28 days. Some diseases such as psoriasis cause the skin to shed much more rapidly which cause skin lesions to develop on the surface of the skin. One of the hallmarks of treatment of psoriasis is light energy. UV energy (which is the same as sunlight) is administered with photosensitizing drugs in a regimen called PUVA to help slow and normalize the turnover of skin cells to effectively treat the condition.
The second or middle layer of the skin is the dermis.
The dermis is the middle layer of your skin. It contains the hair follicles and most of the glands such as sweat glands and oil glands. This layer contains nerves which help you judge sensations to the skin such as hot and cold.
This layer contains collagen which provides skin with elasticity, firmness and smoothness. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun is one of the main causes of skin damage as it speeds up the natural aging process and is the primary cause of wrinkling. Exposure to UV light breaks down skin’s connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers. Without the supportive connective tissue, skin loses its strength and flexibility and sags and wrinkles prematurely. Use of laser energy has been proven to work to restore the collagen and help to reduce wrinkles.
Two of the most common conditions resulting from diseases of the follicle in this layer, are acne and hair loss. Hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands which secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate your hair and skin. Acne occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells which. When there is excess oil production, bacteria grows in the hair follicle and clogs it. Use of blue and red light with sensitizers can help to reduce the inflammation and reduce the breakouts by helping to unclog the gland.
The most common cause of hair loss is a condition called male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. In genetically susceptible people, certain sex hormones trigger a particular pattern of permanent hair loss. A very effective treatment for treating pattern hair loss and stimulating the growth of healthy hair is the use of laser phototherapy as emitted by the HairMax LaserComb®. The HairMax has been proven in major clinical research studies (just as other light devices have been for treating other skin conditions) to work safely and effectively with no serious side effects from occurring.
Another disorder called hyperhidrosis is a condition caused by abnormally increased perspiration, in in the sweat glands contained in this layer. Laser energy has recently been found to be effective in helping to shrink the gland to help reduce excess perspiration.
The third layer of the skin is the deepest and is called the subcutaneous layer.
The main function of the subcutaneous layer is to provide a cushion for the structures in the middle layer of the skin. It also functions to insulate the body to help regulate body temperature. As aging occurs fat in this layer, which gives the skin a plump appearance, starts to decrease. This also contributes to skin becoming loose and saggy which also causes wrinkling of the skin.
In conclusion, light energy has become a non-drug standard for treating many, many skin conditions safely and effectively. In the case of hair loss, laser phototherapy treatment with the HairMax has effective treated hundreds of thousands of men and women suffering from this devastating condition and enriched their lives.
