Rosacea can significantly affect the lives of those who suffer from it, considering all the discomfort and self-consciousness that come with it. This chronic skin disease presents itself on a person’s face with redness, swelling, and visibility of blood vessels. Affecting 415 million people worldwide, it can diminish one’s quality of life.[1]
LED light therapy has emerged as a natural and non-invasive treatment, promising relief and improvement in skin health. This article focuses on the causes and treatments of Rosacea, along with how LED light therapy might facilitate soothing skin and reducing symptoms.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common skin condition primarily affecting the face. It leads to chronic redness of the skin, which may also cause swelling, flushing, visible blood vessels, and acne-like breakouts in severe cases. [2]
People with Rosacea often experience burning and stinging sensations, which seem to be as painful as they are annoying. Rosacea has no cure, but treatments like LED therapy can help manage the symptoms.
What Causes Rosacea?
While the real cause of Rosacea is still unknown, several factors may act as triggers and thus worsen the situation. Known triggers include spicy foods, alcoholic drinks, extreme temperatures, sun exposure, stress, and various cosmetic products.[3] These triggers may increase the severity of the symptoms, making daily management challenging for sufferers.
The effects of Rosacea transcend the physical symptoms; most people who suffer from Rosacea report emotional and psychological distress, including low self-esteem and social anxiety.[4]
What is LED Light Therapy?
LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment involving light-emitting diodes penetrating the skin at different depths. This therapy is used for various skincare treatments, particularly for healing, reducing inflammation, and improving overall skin health.[5] There are several types of LED light available with their benefits:
Red Light: With an anti-inflammatory response, it reduces redness and swelling.
Blue Light: This has been shown to kill the bacteria that can cause acne, so it is of value in people with Rosacea who also have acne.
Green Light: Helps in reducing pigmentation and promoting an even skin tone.
LED Light Treatment for Rosacea
LED light therapy is rapidly becoming a very safe and effective solution for treating symptoms associated with Rosacea. Treatments for symptoms of Rosacea have to be highly individualized since they differ from person to person. Fortunately, LED light therapy offers a versatile solution that can be used at home or even in a spa.
Being non-invasive, this LED light therapy is easily tolerated, and the side effects are few and far between, which strongly increases its appeal for those seeking relief from Rosacea.
How LED Light Therapy Can Help Rosacea
LED light therapy provides immense relief from Rosacea by targeting the root cause and not just improving the symptoms. Its mechanism of action incorporates light being absorbed into the skin, stimulating cellular activity and promoting healing.
Red Light Therapy
The reason red light therapy is particularly beneficial for Rosacea is that it penetrates deep into the skin layers and creates an anti-inflammatory response. This red light penetrates the skin deeper, stimulating cellular energy production. Increased circulation reduces inflammation and improves the appearance of the skin.
Blue Light Therapy
While this is mainly an acne treatment, blue light therapy can also help those with Rosacea by targeting and reducing bacteria on the skin.
Clinical Evidence of LED Light Treatment
Several studies and clinical trials have established the effectiveness of LED light therapy as part of the treatment for Rosacea.[6] The evidence from the research pointed out that this regular treatment significantly reduced symptoms such as redness, inflammation, or visible blood vessels.[7]
Evidence from these trials forms a reasonable basis for recommending LED light therapy as a safe and effective way to handle Rosacea.
How Long Does Red LED Light Therapy Take to Work on Rosacea?
Results from red light therapy will vary from person to person, depending on each person’s skin type, the severity of Rosacea, and the treatment frequency. Treatment sessions can last anywhere from 10-20 minutes per session using at-home red light therapy devices.
Most individuals have shown a clear improvement in symptoms of Rosacea after several weeks of continuous use.
Risks Associated with Red LED Light Therapy
Red LED light therapy is exceptionally well tolerated and safe, where minor risks are associated with the treatment, and there is minimal possibility of side effects. On rare occasions, temporary skin redness might appear in people immediately after treatment, with irritation or dryness.
How Many Red LED Light Therapy Treatments Are Needed?
The number of treatments may vary from person to person, depending on the skin type and the severity of Rosacea. It is recommended to start four times a week to control and reduce symptoms effectively.
As your skin responds, you can back off or increase the frequency of sessions based on your needs. Some find it adequate to have two sessions a week, and others may need to stay on four sessions weekly to maintain their Rosacea under control.
What Can I Expect After Red LED Light Therapy?
After a session of red LED light therapy, redness, inflammation, and breakouts are reduced. The general appearance improves with regular treatments: the skin tone is more uniform, and the Rosacea symptoms are much reduced.
Conclusion
In other words, LED light therapy, and more so, red light therapy, presents an area of great promise in treating Rosacea symptoms. It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation and redness, soothing the discomfort of the people living with this chronic condition.
If you are considering LED light therapy for Rosacea, you can reach out to us at UV Treat, and our educated professionals will help you determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.
Uysal, Pinar Incel . “Rosacea Associated with Increased Risk of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Case-Control Study of Prevalence and Risk of Anxiety in Patients with Rosacea.” Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, vol. 94, no. 6, 1 Nov. 2019, pp. 704–709, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0365059619300704, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2019.03.002. Accessed 23 July 2021.
Sorbellini, Elisabetta, et al. “Coupled Blue and Red Light-Emitting Diodes Therapy Efficacy in Patients with Rosacea: Two Case Reports.” Journal of Medical Case Reports, vol. 14, no. 1, 28 Jan. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-019-2339-6.
LED light therapy can benefit many types of Rosacea, especially those characterized by redness and inflammation. However, individual results may vary.
LED light therapy can effectively manage rosacea symptoms, such as redness and swelling; however, it is not cured entirely. Regular use and proper skincare management provide relief and improved skin appearance.
LED light therapy is relatively safe; only a few side effects, such as temporary redness, may occur. There are no significant risks associated with long-term use under professional guidance.
