Red Light Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa - Improve Skin Health and Comfort

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
• How Red Light Therapy Supports Skin Health in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
• Does Red Light Therapy Work for Hidradenitis Suppurativa? What Research Says
• Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for Hidradenitis Patients
• Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Skin Support
• Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Skin Health
• Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
• Conclusion: The Role of Red Light Therapy in Hidradenitis Treatment
• FAQs: Addressing Common Questions

Hidradenitis Suppurativa, also known as HS, is a chronic condition of painful, inflamed bumps in the shape of nodules, abscesses, and tunnels under the skin. These bumps tend to crop up around hair follicles with sweat glands and where skin folds over skin, like under the arms, the groin, and the breast. The burning and swelling around these areas make everyday activities difficult and pesky.

People generally try out traditional treatments such as drugs, antibiotics, and surgery, which are short-term cures with some restrictions. Failure of these treatments can lead a person to lose hope. Fortunately enough, the presence of light treatments has opened new doors in the treatment of HS. Among these, red light therapy has proven to be an extremely successful, safe, and effective treatment for the cure of most skin-related diseases, including Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Red light therapy triggers increased energy production, reduced pain and inflammation, and enhanced collagen production. These all work positively for the skin by helping it heal naturally and harmlessly. In this blog post, we will talk about how red light therapy works with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), its applications, and what science shows us regarding the treatment.

Understanding Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Causes and Progression

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition characterized by scarring, nodules, and swollen, inflamed bumps in skin areas that are in close proximity to one another. The bumps may occur around hair follicles with sweat glands. Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) tends to be more prevalent in women than men. Based on certain findings, it is assumed that such lumps develop when hair follicles become clogged, resulting in inflammation and painful swellings under the skin. The cause of Hidradenitis Suppurativa is not known, but it is assumed to be caused by multiple reasons:

Clogged Hair Follicles

Blocked and clogged follicles trap sweat and bacteria that result in inflammation and infection.

Genetics

HS usually runs in families, indicating a genetic factor.

Hormones

Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and pregnancy may cause flare-ups of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Immune System Response

An inactive or weak immune system allows inflammation to worsen and causes HS.

HS typically develops slowly. It begins with tender, small nodules that may evolve into tunnels, abscesses, and sinus tracts in the skin. The bumps may rupture, draining pus or fluid, which tends to result in scarring and skin breakdown.

Challenges with Traditional Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

It is difficult to manage Hidradenitis Suppurativa, and treating it the traditional way is even harder. Individuals suffering from this ailment wish to get better sooner and prevent flare-ups. These traditional methods of treatment, unfortunately, only mask the symptoms and fail to get at the root of the condition.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) has been traditionally treated with drugs, antibiotics, and surgery, but all have their drawbacks. Drugs like anti-inflammatory medicines and antibiotics alleviate symptoms but do not prevent the recurrence of bumps. These drugs are not for everyone and tend to have side effects like upset stomach, headache, or long-term health consequences.

Others resort to invasive surgical techniques such as drainage or excision, which may eliminate unwanted abscesses or tunnels. Surgery, however, is invasive, has to be recovered from, and will not necessarily prevent recurrence. Dietary changes, exercise, proper hygiene, weight management, and topical ointments are useful, but long-term and never a sure bet for avoiding flare-ups.

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Inflammation and Healing

Red light therapy is a non-surgical and chemical-free treatment that targets the causative factor of Hidradenitis Suppurativa by quelling inflammation and facilitating cellular healing. Red light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation where a therapeutic range of red and near-infrared light is used. This frequency penetrates deep into the skin without injury and triggers natural mechanisms of healing.

When red and near-infrared light hits the cells, this is absorbed by the mitochondria. This absorption makes the mitochondria emit more energy in the form of ATP. Adenosine triphosphate or ATP, is the cellular energy currency that facilitates cellular recovery and enables cells to recover and repair quickly. Red light therapy thereby assists in repairing the damaged skin due to the painful lumps of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Red light therapy also stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance that opens up blood vessels and enhances blood flow. Better circulation delivers increased oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes toxins and waste products, which opens up plugged-up hair follicles.

Also, red light therapy assists in regulating the immune system by reducing inflammation and pain. It reduces inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduces pain by stimulating the release of endorphins. Red light therapy also stimulates the production of collagen, which helps to contract the skin, repair damage, and reduce scarring.

Red light therapy (RLT) has emerged as a viable treatment option for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), providing a non-surgical solution to conventional therapies. Most studies propose that red light therapy incites enhanced energy production, improves blood circulation, and lessens inflammation, targeting the underlying cause of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and offering relief.

Study 1:  Photobiomodulation Therapy for Scar Healing and Pain Relief.

Objective

In order to examine the influence of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on post-surgical scar healing, pain, and quality of life in a patient with a large post-surgical scar, with severe pain. Treatment included LED arrays and laser probes at precise wavelengths, power, and frequency applied directly to the scar. 

Results

The patient had improved greatly in the appearance of the scar, with flattening and reduced redness. Pain had reduced from 6/10 on presentation to 4/10 at one year and 1/10 at the most recent review. The patient stopped opioids, antidepressants, and sleeping pills, returned to work, and only required an occasional Tylenol for breakthrough pain.

Conclusion

PBMT seemed to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the scar and the patient's pain symptoms. Whether mood and sleep enhancement were due directly to PBMT or indirectly due to pain reduction is not known, but the treatment is promising as a noninvasive intervention for scar pain and quality-of-life enhancement. Replication of the findings needs control subjects.

Study 2: Safety and Efficacy of Novel Polychromatic Light Sources for Full-Body Photobiomodulation.

Objective

To examine the safety and performance of two novel polychromatic sources of light for full-body and large-area use, delivering non-thermal photobiomodulation (PBM) to enhance skin appearance, texture, and skin feeling. The research wanted to determine whether a wide spectrum of light (spanning multiple wavelengths) would do better for skin rejuvenation than the usual red-light-only therapy.

Results

There were 136 volunteers who took part, with 113 of them treated with PBM and 23 as controls. Following 30 treatment sessions, treated subjects had discernible changes towards improvement in skin complexion, texture (improved smoothness), and density of collagen on ultrasonography. Clinical photographs were independently assessed to show that the intervention groups performed far better than the controls.

Conclusion

Both new polychromatic light sources were effective and safe for rejuvenating skin and stimulating collagen. Using a wide polychromatic spectrum did not significantly benefit over red-light-only treatment. Generally, these new PBM devices exhibited encouraging results to enhance the appearance and health of the skin.

Note 

These clinical trials do not directly demonstrate the effectiveness of red light therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa, but they show how effectively it promotes skin healing and reduces pain and inflammation.

Key Features to Look for in an Effective Device

You can perform red light therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa at home, but it is essential to purchase a high-quality red light therapy device. A good device provides the full benefits of red light therapy without causing any side effects. When choosing a device, look for these features:

Wavelength Range

Your device should produce the proper range of red and near-infrared light. For hidradenitis suppurativa, it should produce red light between 610, 630, 635, 650, and 660 nm, and near-infrared light between 810, 830, 850, and 1064 nm, as these ranges decrease inflammation, increase energy production, and improve blood flow to repair the damage HS causes.

FDA Approval

Your device should be FDA-approved and certified by other national authorities since such devices have been tested through and through and are proven safe and effective for home use.

Enough Power Output

The device should output sufficient power so that the light can be absorbed deep into the tissues without interruption.

Light Source

Your device must have good-quality LEDs since LEDs alone are able to produce focused red and near-infrared light. Incandescent or halogen bulbs cannot.

Easy-to-Use Features

Your device must also have easy-to-use features such as adjustable intensity and portability. Adjustable intensity enables you to adjust the light produced, while portability enables you to carry the device wherever you are, so you never miss a session.

Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Hidradenitis Support

It is simple to purchase a high-quality device from RLT Home, a company renowned for producing exceptional red light therapy devices. RLT Home is one of the greatest companies out there because it makes lots of Total Spectrum red light therapy devices. They release the correct spectrum of red and near-infrared light, so they are great at healing almost any kind of illness. They are approved by the FDA and certified by other organizations, such as CE and RoHS, as safe and reliable.

RLT Home equipment is easy to use, adjustable in intensity, and portable, making home treatment convenient and straightforward. They are specifically made for penetration to tissues for the best results. Most users have reported improved skin health, reduced pain, and faster recovery after long-term use. Spending your dough on a reliable brand such as RLT Home assures you of efficacy and safety for your red light treatment.

Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance

When using red light therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa, it is essential to administer the proper dosage to achieve maximum effects. Frequency is just how often you use the device; most start out 3–5 times a week. Each session usually lasts between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the intensity of the device and the part of the body you are treating. Using it too little can slow results, and using it too heavily won't speed up healing and may sting your skin.

Distance to the skin is also a consideration. Position the device at the specified distance, usually a few inches to a foot, so the light travels through appropriately without being irritating. Following the correct frequency, session length, and distance, the therapy reduces inflammation, heals, and improves the health of the skin in time.

In short, red light therapy helps people with hidradenitis suppurativa by reducing inflammation, improving blood circulation, and boosting energy production in the skin. It supports the healing of various skin conditions, like HS, by reviving the body's own repair mechanism. Red light therapy is safe and helpful to be used at home and does not cause the side effects found with drugs, antibiotics, or surgery.

Regular use of red light therapy can also eliminate pain, discourage flare-ups, and enhance the general look and feel of the skin, making everyday life less painful for HS sufferers.

How did I cure my hidradenitis suppurativa?

I managed to improve and control my hidradenitis suppurativa by using red light therapy consistently. The treatment helped reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve blood flow in the affected areas.

Does red light therapy really reduce inflammation?

Yes, red light therapy reduces inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Is UV light good for HS?

UV light is not generally considered a treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa, but in certain cases, it has been found to help calm HS symptoms.

References

1. A Preliminary Study of the Safety of Red Light Phototherapy of Tissues Harboring Cancer.
2. A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase.

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