Beauty - Light Based Anti-Ageing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lightyears
As you will know, as a person ages the body loses its ability to rebuild collagen, which is responsible for the skin's tightness, tensile strength, elasticity, suppleness and moisture. "Research proves that the skin ageing process occurs in the connective tissue, whose main ingredient is collagen. As a consequence of the weakening bio- synthesis of collagen fibres in the under- layer of connective tissue, wrinkles appear," explains Rachel Black of
ProSalonDirect.com
"Anti-ageing light based treatments build up collagen and hyaluronic acid in a non-invasive painless way," explains Maria Sanchez of Tekno Surgical Ltd. "One of the positives about anti-ageing light therapies is that it produces relatively long-term effects and it works from the inside-out. This means that skin's cells are stimulated from within and below its surface so the effects are 100% natural."
Rachel adds: "A series of long-term studies in the past has shown that the collagen production can be stimulated with red light waves of 633 nanometers."
Angela Barbagelata-Fabes of Carlton Professional adds: "Light applied in the correct wavelength and frequency stimulates intercellular communication, resulting in cell rejuvenation.
"When the cells change, this results in the walls of the skin's capillaries being strengthened. This leads to improved oxygenation and detoxification of the skin. The skin's water content is increased and the ability of the skin to retain that moisture improves. Increased cellular activity, improved natural repair, and creation of healthy skin conditions also follow. Having a healthy skin condition also allows the cells to regenerate faster and more effectively, thus contributing to a general anti- ageing effect."
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When it comes to choosing a light source for your treatments, there are a number of options...
Laser
Laser - the acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation - uses a special beam of light. Many cosmetic laser treatments use Soft Laser; low power beams which do not generate heat. According to the book Applied Professional Electro- Cosmetic Therapy: "Laser light penetrates the tissue where it is absorbed and it is this absorbed radiation that is responsible for the different effects of the laser."
The beam's light-emitting properties stimulate and activate the metabolism, and have a biostimulating effect on skin cells. Modifications and changes occur within the cells, resulting in skin rejuvenation.
Intense Pulsed Light
Intense Pulsed Light, often referred to as IPL, delivers rapid impulses of light energy to stimulate collagen to improve the skin's appearance.
IPL is different to standard laser therapy in that it can deliver hundreds of wavelengths, or colours, in each burst of light instead of just one wavelength. These flashes of light are then concentrated using special filters so that they can work in a similar way to lasers. Over a period of treatments, the skin's elasticity, thickness and smoothness increases whilst the appearance of wrinkles is reduced.
Ealu Spa Therapy, who have salons in Naas, Newbridge, Portloaise and Maynooth, are experts on IPL Skin Rejuvenation. "PhotoRejuvenation is the only procedure that can treat vascular redness, rosacea, open pores, pigmented brown spots, sun damage, skin texture, and collagen structure all
at once. The broadspectrum light targets defects within the skin," explains the salon.
"People can expect to see a gradual decrease in overall redness, flushing and dilated capillaries. People with visible ageing from the sun can expect to see their skin becoming smooth with a decrease in fine wrinkles, reduction in pore size and a fading of sunspots."
Coloured Light Therapy
Coloured Light Therapy, also known as LED Therapy, comprises of LED lights of different colours set at varying wavelengths. When these are shone onto the skin, they stimulate the skin's facility to change.
“LED therapy is a non-invasive procedure that activates skin cells with pulses of low-level, non-thermal light energy," explains Angela. "LED therapy converts light energy within the skin cells, like photosynthesis, which takes sunlight and converts it into food energy in plants. The LED lights stimulate natural processes to help rejuvenate the skin.”
She continues: "The inclusion of four colours (red, green, blue and yellow) using LED lights and set at varying wavelengths offers a wide range of benefits. For example, green cools and reduces redness, blue reduces swelling and offers antibacterial effects for the treatment of acne, red rejuvenates and stimulates the lymphatic system, whilst yellow tones and smoothes the skin, as well as promoting the production of collagen." Some systems also offer violet LEDs, which have an anti- bacterial effect.
Turn the page to see our round-up of 'time machines' that can help roll back the years...
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