photobiomodulation light therapy

Photobiomodulation, commonly referred to as light therapy, utilizes light as a form of electromagnetic radiation. This radiation is composed of electric and magnetic fields oscillating rapidly in a wave pattern, with the rate of these oscillations known as frequency. Frequency, measured in cycles per second, describes how often a wave's vibration occurs, applicable to both sound and electromagnetic waves, including light. Photobiostimulation, another term for light therapy, signifies the process of stimulating life with light. Light waves are categorized by their wavelengths, measured in nanometers (nm), with one nanometer being one-billionth of a meter. The spectrum of light includes:

• Ultraviolet (UV): 10 to 380 nm
• Violet: 380 to 450 nm
• Indigo: 440 to 460 nm
• Blue: 450 to 495 nm
• Cyan: 485 to 510 nm
• Green: 495 to 570 nm
• Yellow: 570 to 590 nm
• Amber: 580 to 600 nm
• Orange: 590 to 610 nm
• Red LED: 610 to 700 nm
• Near-Infrared (NIR): 700 to 900 nm
• Infrared: 900 to 1400 nm

Light therapy works by harnessing the body's natural response to light. It stimulates the brain to decrease melatonin production and increase serotonin levels, impacting mood and sleep. Additionally, light affects the mitochondria within cells, enhancing their energy production and thereby facilitating cellular repair, growth, and rejuvenation.

Light therapy's effectiveness is partly due to its ability to modulate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, the energy currency of the cell, through stimulation of mitochondria with red LED light, promoting cellular repair and rejuvenation.

The effectiveness of light therapy can vary with the pulse rate of the light used, affecting tissues differently. Slow pulses can reduce nerve sensitivity, mid-range pulses boost endorphin production, and intense pulses stimulate cellular reproduction and repair.

Different colors of light serve various purposes, from killing acne-causing bacteria with blue light to stimulating mitochondrial activity and fibroblast activity with red light, to deeper tissue penetration and therapeutic pain management with infrared light.

Light therapy has shown benefits in treating a wide array of conditions, including skin disorders, pain management, cognitive enhancement, and even cosmetic applications. Moreover, green and yellow light therapies offer benefits for skin tone, pain relief, and rejuvenation, while white light therapy, mimicking sunlight, plays a vital role in mood regulation, energy levels, and overall well-being.

Through its diverse applications and benefits, light therapy continues to be a critical tool in enhancing health and treating various conditions, supported by centuries of use and modern scientific research.