View source for Red LED Lamps & Other Forms of Low-Level Light Therapy

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[[image:led.jpg|right|thumb|150px|'''Multi-color LEDs''']]
Many rosaceans find that treatment with all-red LED lamps provides relief from their rosacea symptoms. Studies suggest that low-level light in certain ranges, particularly the red and near-infrared range, from LED lamps and also from low-level lasers, has an anti-inflammatory effect.
 
From the following article discussing the inflammatory theory of rosacea:

[http://rosaceatoday.com/TheoriesofRosacea.asp Examining Inflammation as a Common Factor in Theories of Rosacea Pathophysiology]

::"Recent research has shown an increase of specific proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-1β), in biopsies of inflammatory lesions from acne patients.9 These cytokines  trigger a chain of chemical responses in the body, including the release of certain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); specifically, MMP-1, -3, and -9.10,11 These MMPs are involved in collagen matrix degradation and inflammatory damage. The likely result is the development of papulopustular lesions. Owing to the similarities between these lesions in acne and rosacea, this evidence offers insight into the inflammatory nature of rosacea.

::Two additional inflammatory mediators thought to incite the symptoms of rosacea are reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Clinical trial evidence reports that patients with severe rosacea have a reduced capacity to counter the negative effects of ROS; thus, experiencing an increased inflammatory response.11,12 This may also explain the connection between photodamage and rosacea since sun exposure is known to induce the release of ROS which subsequently activates MMPs.13 The role of NO involves vascular changes and is believed to be partially responsible for the erythema, edema, and telangiectatic symptoms of rosacea.11,13 Vasodilation plausibly results in vascular instability leading to increased vessel permeability, edema, and fixed vessels. This may worsen with increased sun exposure as an increase of NO in the keratinocytes has been linked with UVB rays.9"



Thus, according to the inflammatory theory of rosacea, since TNF-a (tumor necrosis factor) stimulates many of the other cytokines and enzymes involved in the inflammatory process and also in much of the tissue destruction we see with rosacea, decreasing TNF-a levels should theoretically help minimize the increased symptoms of inflammation we see with rosacea. Studies seem to support claims that low-level light therapy reduces levels of TNF-a. 

Also, according to the inflammatory theory of rosacea, since rosaceans have a reduced capacity to counter the negative effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increasing levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is key in the process of clearing ROS, should theoretically help to prevent or even reduce some of the damaging effects ROS has on rosacea affected tissues. Studies so far indicate that low-level light therapy increases levels of SOD.  (See the page on [[GliSODin]] for more information about the effects of SOD on ROS).


Useful links:
* [http://www.sunetics.com/pdf/clinicalstudyMechanismlasertherapypaper.pdf Mechanisms of Low Level Light Therapy]
* [http://rosacea.ii.net/news/2005/12/red-leds-for-acne-and-rosacea.html '''Rosacea News''':Light Emitting Diode-Based Therapy ]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17033742&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum   Low-level laser therapy can reduce lipopolysaccharide-induced contractile force dysfunction and TNF-alpha levels in rat diaphragm muscle] 
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16503786&query_hl=25&itool=pubmed_DocSum Low-level laser therapy induces dose-dependent reduction of TNFalpha levels in acute inflammation]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12815857&query_hl=59&itool=pubmed_docsum Effect of low intensity laser light in the red range on macrophage superoxide dismutase activity]
*[[Phototherapy: a guide to the pitfalls of terminology]]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17196290&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum  Delivery of photosensitisers and light through mucus: investigations into the potential use of photodynamic therapy for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cystic fibrosis pulmonary infection]
*[http://www.dermatologytimes.com/dermatologytimes/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=361119 Combining light-based treatments, topicals for rosacea]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17803379&ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Low-Level Laser Therapy (GaAs lambda = 904 nm) Reduces Inflammatory Cell Migration in Mice with Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Peritonitis]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17348406&ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Protective effect of low-power laser radiation in acute toxic stress]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=12925192&ordinalpos=7&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Immunomodulatory effects of low-intensity near-infrared laser irradiation on contact hypersensitivity reaction]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=16939588&ordinalpos=17&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Neutrophil respiratory burst is decreased in scleroderma and normalized by near-infrared mediated hyperthermia]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=11776448&ordinalpos=81&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on wound healing]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17903156&ordinalpos=11&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Red light phototherapy alone is effective for acne vulgaris: randomized, single-blinded clinical trial]