The LED Light Therapy goes back to early scientific experiments by NASA that originated with LEDs, or the Light Emitting Diodes. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in the state of Alabama, in addition to Quantum Devices, Inc., of Wisconsin, had taken specific plants that were placed aboard the Space Shuttle, exposing them in space to near-infrared light produced by LEDs.
The purpose of using the LEDs was because they increased the energy that was produced in the energy compartments of each plant cell, causing the cells to grow much faster. Everybody on Earth benefited from NASA's new scientific find for faster-growing plants--farmers especially as their crops could be grown faster, bringing about a quicker harvest, faster processing, and bringing in more money for a faster turn-about-time. From this moment on, LED Light Therapy took on an entire new meaning.
While NASA was working on the growing rate of the plants in space with the LEDs, Quantum Devices scientists overheard discussions among physicians in regard to laser therapy for their patients. Apparently, laser lights for people accelerated cell growth and healing, but had some pretty serious drawbacks in its use. Surrounding tissue areas had became overheated when the lasers were used, the lasers were said to be huge and expensive to operate, they were limited in color wavelength, and on the average they were not very reliable.
When NASA and Quantum Devices joined forces, the resulting LED Light Therapy had many advantages over the older methods. LEDs did not heat the tissues, as did the older lasers, because they used a longer wavelength that was near-infrared light that helped to penetrate deeper into the tissues. In other words, the redder the light is the longer the wavelength, which means it can penetrate the body tissues deeper. This made it a perfect treatment for crush injuries, badly burned victims, cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatment complications--all areas where large body areas are involved.
When LED light is used to activate the light-sensitive chemotherapy drugs to destroy cancer, the nickname Photo Dynamic Therapy was given to it, or PDT. In addition, the stimulation of normal cell chemicals uses LED Light Therapy without any drugs to heal and regenerate human tissues. How this works is that LED Light Therapy reacts with parts of certain cells that are called cytochromes, that respond to light and color in order to cause their energy levels to raise.
The new LED Light Therapy medical treatment has begun to help people who have had no hope of treatment with their diseases, by regenerating tissue, muscle, brain and bone. The most exciting thing is the original experiments by NASA with their LED Light Therapy that began in space are now being used for muscle and bone atrophy in astronauts.
One of the latest procedures for light therapy is the Intense Pulse Light Therapy, also known as photo laser, computer controlled light therapy, light laser and many more. Pioneered by Dr. Patrick Bitter Jr., this new light therapy emits high intensity pulses of light to penetrate the human skin for skin disorders. This new light therapy is used for the removal of facial wrinkles, old age or "liver" spots, freckles, tattoos, hair removal, and many other skin disorders. The Intense Pulse Light Therapy especially is used by those who cannot stand the traditional lasers.
The procedure of the light therapy may begin with a topical anesthetic application, where once the numbing has taken effect in the treatment area, an application of a cold and soothing gel will be applied and then a pyramid or glass prism is placed over the gel and area. A non-aggressive pulse, or intense flash of light, will then be flashed through the prism toward the treatment area in order to keep the skin undamaged for further treatments.
Different types of machines are designed for different levels of repairs and penetration for the Intense Pulse Light Therapy:
• PhotoDerm VL - light pulses are directed at the spider and varicose veins, in addition to vascular birth marks. What is targeted is the blood's hemoglobin for vascular lesions.
• PhotoDerm PL - light pulses are directed at the age spots, freckles, different types of discoloration, and flat pigmented birthmarks. The targeted area is the melanin in the epidermis for pigmented lesions.
• PhotoDerm HR an EpiLight - light pulses are directed at the melanin in the hair shaft, traveling to the follicle, heating and destroying it for hair removal.
Not everyone can be treated with Intense Pulse Light Therapy, especially insulin-dependent diabetics, due to the risk of wound-healing and infection problems. Also, anyone who uses blood thinners should have them discontinued before treatment, such as Coumadin, Heparin, aspirin, or 10-days discontinued usage before treatments, such as any herbal remedies that are anti-coagulant--garlic, ginger, cayenne, papaya, gingko, gingko biloba, Vitamin E, or selenium.
There are always risks with anything that is medical whether or not it is natural or traditional medicine, even if it is just slight. With Intense Pulse Light Therapy, blistering or slight bleeding may be possible. Also, lightening or darkening of certain areas due to the treatments may occur, and if so it may be between three to 12 months before any type of normal skin tone will appear. In very, very rare occurrences, scarring may occur.
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