Red Light Therapy for Rosacea: Advancements and Efficacy
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I realized I had rosacea 40 years ago when I saw a family picture. Everyone else was white, and I was red. I’ve had multiple rounds of intense pulsed laser (IPL), which — I’m trying to be professional here — hurts like a MF.
I didn’t know about red light therapy then, but I do now. The science is not as strong for rosacea as it is for acne and wrinkles, but what we have is promising. In this article, you’ll learn how red light therapy works and which therapy to use for rosacea symptoms.
Key Takeaways:
- Rosacea has many causes.
- Red light therapy is one of several natural approaches to handling rosacea.
- One study suggests that twice daily, a small dose of red and infrared light could help relieve rosacea symptoms.
Red Light Therapy for Rosacea: How It Works
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of red light, typically between 630-660 nm and 810-850 nm, to stimulate cellular function.
Unlike other light-based treatments, such as lasers or intense pulsed light (IPL), red light therapy doesn’t cause thermal damage to tissues. Instead, it delivers light energy to the cells, promoting various biological processes.
Because it increases cellular energy, red light therapy helps with many issues, including skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and muscle recovery.
The Science Behind Red Light and Skin
Red light’s primary target in cells is the mitochondria, the organelle that makes “biological batteries” called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). When exposed to red light, mitochondria absorb the photons, which leads to an increase in ATP.
This boost in cellular energy isn’t just a trivial change. Studies show it can increase protein synthesis, enhance cell proliferation, and improve cellular repair mechanisms. These effects are particularly pronounced in fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen and elastin in the skin.
It also reliably impacts inflammation and blood flow. Light can change inflammatory pathways, potentially reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This anti-inflammatory effect explains positive outcomes in conditions like eczema and rosacea.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Rosacea Patients
Symptom Reduction
One of the most frustrating aspects of rosacea is the persistent redness and flushing. Red light therapy appears to have a calming effect on the skin’s blood vessels, potentially decreasing the frequency and intensity of flushing episodes.
Unfortunately, the evidence for managing rosacea papules and pustules is not strong. It’s not that studies have failed to show results but that there is no robust research into the problem. We’ll go over the science below.
We know that red light therapy heals the skin in ways similar to rosacea symptoms. Let’s examine how it affects skin health.
Red Light Therapy as a Treatment for Rosacea
One of the most interesting findings has been its potential to strengthen the skin barrier. A simple red LED light might make treating rosacea symptoms at home possible.
Rosacea often occurs with a compromised skin barrier, which can lead to increased sensitivity and easier penetration of irritants. Regular red light therapy sessions can rebuild and fortify this crucial barrier. Studies also show improvements in skin hydration, which is an indicator of a healthy skin barrier.
What Causes Rosacea And What To Do About It
Kim et al. On Rosacea
Kim summarizes the more “traditional medicine” theories on what causes rosacea.
How Imbalances and Sunlight Cause Rosacea
A 2016 paper explains that people with rosacea appear to have too much cathelicidin in their skin. Cathelicidin helps fight germs, but extra cathelicidin causes inflammation and promotes blood vessel growth.
Vitamin D may play a role in rosacea redness and bumps. Skin cells exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet) produce more cathelicidin, so sun exposure worsens rosacea symptoms.
People with rosacea also appear to have too many protease forms of proteins that damage the skin’s protective barrier and cause more inflammation.
Toll-like receptor 2, part of the skin’s defense system, is higher in rosacea patients. Its activation increases the production of the overactive proteins mentioned above.
Kim et al. on How to Treat Rosacea
Based on the findings in that paper, you may be able to treat rosacea redness with LED light therapy:
- Wavelengths of 630 nm (red light) and 940 nm (near-infrared light) showed the most promising results in downregulating factors associated with rosacea.
- Aim for a dose of 5 J/cm2 (a small amount of light)
- Apply twice daily (twice the amount usually used for wrinkles or acne)
In the mouse model, redness and bumps decreased in 24-48 hours. But it will take weeks or months to resolve fully.
Consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional before starting any new treatment regimen, including LED light therapy, to ensure it’s appropriate for your specific case of rosacea.
References
Ray Peat On Rosacea
Ray Peat is an influential physician who specializes in noninvasive remedies. According to Peat, rosacea has several interconnected causes. At its core, the problem is mitochondrial dysfunction. Since red light therapy’s superpower is reviving mitochondria, I’m interested in what Peat says about rosacea.
Damaged Mitochondria
Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to oxidative stress, a buildup of harmful, damaging molecules. Peat says that the following factors harm mitochondria, making rosacea symptoms worsen:
- Ultraviolet light
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hormonal imbalances
- Intestinal toxins (bacterial endotoxins)
- Excitatory metabolites (glutamate, nitric oxide, and lactic acid)
- The aging process
Ultraviolet light (a main component of sunlight) makes this stress worse. It is compounded by nutritional deficiencies of B vitamins (especially riboflavin), coenzyme Q10, and vitamin K.
Hormonal imbalances, such as elevated estrogen levels, can interfere with energy metabolism and increase inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a key factor in rosacea, potentially triggered by mitochondrial issues or hormone imbalances.
Bacterial endotoxins absorbed from the intestines may contribute to systemic inflammation and rosacea symptoms. The impaired energy metabolism can lead to increased lactic acid production, causing blood vessels to dilate and potentially stimulating fibroblast growth.
Excitatory metabolites like glutamate, nitric oxide, and lactic acid (caused by bacterial endotoxin exposure) can accumulate, causing further blood vessel dilation and tissue damage. All these factors can compromise blood vessel regulation, leading to persistent dilation and eventually forming new blood vessels.
Rosacea often develops after age 30, possibly due to an age-related decline in mitochondrial health.
How to Support the Mitochondria
Red light therapy is one of his suggested therapies for rosacea. How does red light therapy support the mitochondria?
Red light therapy gives the cells the energy to heal themselves. Light penetrates the cells, each containing hundreds to thousands of mitochondria. These mitochondria are energy factories that create “biological batteries” (ATP or adenosine triphosphate) that the body uses for repair.
The light lends energy to the “Complex” parts of the factory (also known as Complex I, II, III, and IV). Dysfunctional complexes resume function, allowing the mitochondria to make more ATP. Cells use the new ATP to reduce inflammation, stop creating new blood vessels, and repair skin texture.
Peat also offers the action items below to reduce rosacea by improving mitochondrial health:
- Increase intake of B vitamins, especially riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (B3), and niacinamide. These support mitochondrial energy production.
- Supplement with coenzyme Q10, vitamin K, and selenium to support mitochondrial function.
- Ensure adequate thyroid function, as hypothyroidism can be a contributing factor.
- Increase intake of saturated fats and reduce polyunsaturated fats in the diet.
- Consider supplementing with progesterone, which can help regulate blood vessel tone.
- Use topical applications of niacinamide, progesterone, vitamin K, and coenzyme Q10 on affected skin areas.
- Consume coffee, which contains niacin and magnesium. Caffeine may have protective effects.
- Use aspirin topically or internally to reduce inflammation.
- Reduce endotoxin absorption from the intestines by consuming raw carrots regularly.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure, especially in affected areas.
- Manage stress levels, as stress can exacerbate symptoms.
- Consider using antibiotics under medical supervision to reduce intestinal bacteria and endotoxin.
- If using antibiotics, supplement with vitamin K to replace what’s lost from reduced gut bacteria.
- For women, be aware of and potentially address high estrogen levels, which can contribute to rosacea.
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support mitochondrial function and reduce inflammation.
- Consider using red light therapy on affected areas.
- Avoid or minimize alcohol consumption, which can increase porphyrin production.
References
Practical Application of Red Light Therapy
This is how to experiment with red light therapy to reduce rosacea symptoms.
See a Dermatologist
Skin doctors were some of the first to adopt what we now call “photobiomodulation.” While intense pulsed laser (IPL) is an invasive form of light therapy, some dermatologists understand photobiomodulation’s noninvasive and painless advantage for rosacea. Talk to your doctor about using light for symptom management.
At-Home Red Light Therapy for Rosacea
At-home red light therapy is more convenient and cost-effective than doctor visits. However, it takes longer for home devices to see results. Based on a few studies and my speaking to people who use the light for rosacea, you should see significant results in 4-8 weeks.
Most home device instructions recommend 3-5 weekly treatments. The time you spend each session depends on the device’s strength and distance from it. That’s why it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. They are the only ones who know the exact strength of your device.
Based on Kim’s study (above), consider using the light in the morning and the evening. However, this is double the usual frequency and is only an educated guess based on one study.
If it were me, this is what I’d do.
- Set up a camera to take a picture in the same lighting each morning.
- Get a Novaa Glow mask.
- Use infrared, red, and blue light early every morning.
- Use infrared alone every evening.
- Use the camera images for objective progress measurements.
Conclusion
Whether ultraviolet, gut biome disorders, or mitochondrial dysfunction cause rosacea, natural and Western researchers agree that light therapy can help reduce its symptoms. Use red and infrared light therapy twice a day for eight weeks.