Photorejuvenation
Donna Dodier
The Role it Plays in the Industry-The
Future Only Gets Brighter
Glorified celebrities, makeover shows, and all the Doctor 90210’s of
today unveil the underlying vanity of our society. Sexuality, glitz and glamour
drive the trends in the beauty industry. More recently Day Spa owners and Hair
Salons are finding the need to jazz up their service menus to cater to this new
“Botox and go” world. The driving force behind this trend is the “forever
young” mindset of the Baby Boomers. Diversifying your menu will create a
renaissance - a new beginning, a new clientele, and a new generation of sales
profit. Baby boomers crave non-invasive, anti-aging treatments that are cost
effective. It is LED Photorejuvenation with all it’s glory of luminosity that
is lighting the way. LED Photorejuvenation satisfies many different needs and
many different age groups which makes this a winner for a new modern service
within the beauty and medical industry.
Make no mistake, by the time you have read this article you will be
asking yourself why you’re not lighting up your client’s life with LED.
What is LED? LED
(Light Emitting Diode) Photorejuvenation is a safe and painless, non-invasive
FDA approved treatment that utilizes specific visible and invisible wavelengths
of light creating many positive responses within the skin. Much like
photosynthesis, this light energy creates an abundance of a substance known as
ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate), the energy source to our cells that gives it their
energy, vitality, and optimum shelf life.
Benefits
include: Increased vascularity by the formation of new capillaries, significant
increase in wound healing with less formation of scar tissue, reduction of
edema, pain relief, relaxation of muscles, stimulation of trigger and acupuncture
points, helps with nerve function, increased radiance and firmness of skin,
increased circulation to muscles, reduced inflammation for acne and rosacea,
reduced oil production, promotes collagen and elastin, reduces fine lines,
redness, and acne.
Irritation is a side effect of the many modalities
estheticians use. Think about the abrading mechanisms behind microdermabrasion,
the erythema of peels, the irritation of laser, IPL, waxing, and even extractions
can leave the skin irritated, warm, red, pink and itchy. We do use calming serums and masks, but
sometimes there is no getting around a client leaving pink and irritated. LED
improves the outcome of thermal based treatments, peels and so forth. It calms
the skin on many levels and even accelerates healing, collagen and elastin
formation, moisture retention and heightens the energy level of cells. I often see photorejuvenation on spa menus. It
is a loosely termed word meaning “rejuvenation by light.” So in a sense lasers,
IPL, and other light based treatments can be called photorejuvenation, but LED
is a different ballgame. It is one piece of spa equipment that can be used to
treat more skin conditions and be used with more treatment modalities than any
other piece of spa equipment. I see Blue Light or Photodynamic Therapy on menus
for acne, but do those offering this know that adding red light afterwards
enhances the treatment more so? It heals existing lesions, helps prevent post
acne scars by creating an abundance of collagen and elastin fibers and
heightens the skin cell turnover rate. Trust me when I tell you, if you use
BLUE, use RED after each treatment and watch what happens. I was lecturing at a one of the most advanced esthetic schools in the US and did a demo on a
girl who had rosacea acne with erythema. After my first demo she felt and saw a
difference. I am happy to hear that
despite all her pharmaceutical drugs used for her condition, she got a better
response with LED. Offer Blue and Red
light for acne treatments in your spas. It offers a FDA approved,
scientifically studied and proven, effective alternative to the harsh chemicals
and antibiotics that can cause a lot of harm to the body. If you think you do
not have a market for acne treatments because your existing clientele are in
the 40-60 age group ….then their children and grandchildren are your new market
for a dynamic treatment option for acne. Acne is the number one treated ailment
that dermatologists deal with.
The Studies
For those of you who currently utilize this modality, I do
not have to convince you of the no less than wonderful benefits of LED Light
Therapy. I will admit there are still
non-believers. I was a skeptic before I
found the perfect device for my spa. I exhaustibly researched many reputable
scientific and medical journals. Today
when I lecture at esthetic schools, skin care facilities, or on the radio, I
don’t leave home without my never ending file of research and science. Honestly, who is going to argue or question
LED studies and research with NASA or The US Library of Medicine?
This
multi-faceted therapy extends far beyond just the “skin care” trade.
Chiropractors and sports medicine clinics have been utilizing LED for its
healing properties, tissue regeneration, enhanced circulation and post injury healing;
the dental field uses LED for tooth whitening and to kill bacteria in the
mouth. Yes that is correct. Dental companies are incorporating LED blue light
into toothbrushes to help kill the bacteria that cause gingivitis, the very
same specific wavelength that kills the propioni bacterium acne bacteria. By the
way Blue light has been FDA approved for an effective non-chemical,
non-invasive treatment for acne.
Physicians are finding that diabetic wound healing is far greater with
LED and the light helps to eradicate staph and other harmful bacteria! For all
you animal lovers, veterinary medicine has seen small miracles with light therapy. Equine therapeutic
facilities incorporate LED to heal injuries and speed the recovery of the horse’s
cuts, bruises, muscles and ligaments. LIKO the dolphin in Waikoloa Hawaii got a
treatment that may have saved his dorsal fin…you guessed it….LED. It was a big
turnaround for him using this modality to help regenerate and stimulate tissue
growth in the injury to his dorsal. How
about SEALS…. not the animal but our amazing uniformed men in the NAVY? LED
showed over 40% greater improvement in their musculoskeletal training injuries
and decreased wound healing time in crew members. Amazing!!! Not convinced yet?
Of the many studies here are a few positive conclusive studies that apply to
the skin care and beauty industry….
Conclusion-LED Photomodulation reverses the
signs of photo aging using a new non thermal mechanism. The anti-inflammatory
component of LED in combination with the cell regulatory component helps
improve the outcome of other thermal-based treatments. –American Society for Dermatologic Surgery 2002
Conclusion-This
technique is a safe and effective non-painful, non-ablative modality for
improvement of photo aging. –Maryland
Laser, Skin & Vein Institute, Hunt Valley Maryland February 2005
Conclusion-Combination
blue and red LED therapy appears to have excellent potential in the treatment
of mild tosevere acne. Treatment
appears to be both pain- and side effect free. Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY/NJ and Department of
Dermatology, Mt. Sinai Scholl of Medicine- June 2006
Conclusion-LED Photomodulation treatment may
accelerate the resolution erythema and reduce post treatment discomfort in
IPL-treated patients. Medline Abstract La Jolla Spa MD ,CA March 2008
***Please contact me for further
articles and studies
Different Device
Styles of Devices-Simple to Elaborate
There is the Portable, easy on the wrist devicethat I personally favor and use. These
are convenient, space saving, savvy little gems that give the esthetician no
limitations and are quite handy. Another
positive point is that it is not a dust collector and can be stored away. There
are Table Top Modules which are the
most abundant style on the market usually boasting multiple wands attached to
the system. You need a shelf or table area to permanently house the device. For
the skin therapist with limited space these are not as practical. Tri-Panels (3 panels of LED light),crème de le crème or Ferrari of RED/INFRARED LED Light Therapy Devices
that has just been launched. The Capsule of Youth. A company came
out with the first LED treatment module for the entire body. Imagine, with everything LED accomplishes,
but on a grander scale? With NASA’s
studies on accelerated wound healing and collagen synthesis, this would be a
great treatment to expedite the healing of post surgery wounds and bruises as
well as offering a skin enhancing and body treatment. It does not get more exciting
or modern than this. The possibilities of therapeutic and cosmetic treatments are
endless. This superluminous modern age
pod of light will be seen in medical practices, dermatologists, chiropractors,
plastic surgeons, plus anti-aging centers, holistic centers, day spas, resorts,
and med spas. another favorite to many spas and hair salons, is a convenient space saving
money maker. The elaborate chairs or giant modules they are attached to makes
the price tag go over the top. A modest $3500 to $20,000! Basic Tri-Panels
treat the face, neck and chest in 5 minutes minutes, can be placed in a waiting
area and can yield many hands-off treatments in a day! You can treat multiple
clients in a short period of time! Then there is the
Choosing a Device
If you are drooling over the
possibilities and want LED Light Therapy, I assure you that there are effective
devices that will not break your piggy bank.
I researched this very serious topic when searching for my soul mate in a
device that was going to represent my treatments to my clients. We all want effective devices with a great
warranty but one that is affordable. In these hard economic times not many can
afford the technology at its highest price tag.
Be aware that those that are very inexpensive are usually made overseas
and have little or no warranty and the company can disappear fast. There are
companies that gear their devices to medical offices and are really giant
modules with extremely high price tags of 15K-25K, there are the middle of the
line devices 8K-10K and there are very effective devices below $3000. My device had all the important points listed
below and you should do your research.
Education-Make sure they can answer your
questions and make sure you are educated on the modality.
Customer Service and Knowledge-
Look for a company that does not just SELL! Many drop you like a hot potato after the
sale and will not answer follow up calls or questions for weeks.
Pricing- If it is
more expensive it does not necessarily mean it works better than a less
expensive device! There are VERY wide profit margins for the same technology.
Super Luminous Diodes
with high output! Extremely cheaply made devices do not use super luminous
diodes and do not have the strength needed.
Portability- Does
this matter to you? If you have limited space it will. Remember it is the
diodes that give the treatment,not
the metal housing, knobs, bells and whistles.
Wavelengths-How
many wavelengths are in the red wand? Some have one, most have two, and very
few have more than two. More than 2 wavelengths is optimum. This will give the
most positive cellular response.
Warranty- Most
companies offer 2-5 years, if you can get higher as I did-excellent!
510K FDA Approval-Why is this important? Well the FDA has high standards in safety and in manufacturing and for the safety in the device itself. When a company takes the time and money to get this approval they are adhering to the safety standards in the industry.
510(k) is a term commonly used to refer to a pre-market application sent
to the FDA. The information in this application documents the safety
and efficacy of the finished medical device. If the FDA deems the
device to be substantially equivalent to a legally marketed medical
device that is currently approved for marketing in the United States,
clearance is granted to market the product.
Future- Where has
the company been, where is it going? Is there any positive media from colleagues in the industry? Do
they offer payment options, educational programs, training, or certificates? Do
schools use their devices?
Join the Future
Offer LED and create endless
possibilities!!!!
