Psoriasis and Eczema rank among the most common skin conditions, afflicting over 30 million Americans with eczema and 8 million with some form of psoriasis. Unfortunately, understanding and effectively treating these conditions remains a challenge, as current solutions often prove ineffective.
However, in more hopeful news for those grappling with these skin issues, recent clinical findings demonstrate that natural red light therapy can diminish itchiness and redness, enhance the appearance of skin rashes and flaking, and reduce inflammation.
This post delves into the positive clinical data showcasing how red light therapy can serve as an efficacious, non-invasive treatment for eczema and psoriasis, free from the risks or side effects commonly associated with prescription drugs.
Current Challenges in Treating Psoriasis and Eczema
Eczema encompasses a range of skin-related conditions, whereas psoriasis is a distinct and complex autoimmune disease. However, they are frequently grouped together due to their shared characteristic of causing inflamed, itchy skin that proves challenging to manage. Since there are no cures for either eczema or psoriasis, symptom management constitutes the cornerstone of treatment, often involving the use of ointments, creams, prescription drugs, and anti-allergy medications. Yet, these conventional treatments offer limited effectiveness and frequently entail unwanted risks and side effects.
In pursuit of an effective and natural alternative, researchers have undertaken peer-reviewed studies to explore the benefits of red light therapy for individuals with eczema and psoriasis. While the findings are preliminary, they exhibit significant promise, instilling optimism and driving further investigation.
Research Shows Red Light Therapy Reduces Itchiness and Swelling from Eczema
In one of the initial human trials examining the effects of red light therapy on eczema, researchers followed 81 patients for nearly a year, monitoring the progression of their symptoms with regular treatments. The researchers assessed eczema rashes before, during, and after patients underwent red light therapy sessions, with each session lasting just two minutes and administered once a week. Despite the brevity of treatment, researchers observed significant improvements in common eczema symptoms, including reductions in:
- Gooseflesh-like bumps (follicular keratosis)
- Flaking skin (pityriasis)
- Reddening (erythema)
- Pimples or swelling (papules)
The research team also evaluated itchiness levels before, during, and after red light therapy sessions and found that patients exhibited reduced skin-picking behaviors and fewer leathery patches (lichenification) following treatment.
Furthermore, the study noted the absence of any side effects during or after the red light treatments, consistent with findings from hundreds of other trials and studies on red light therapy for skin and overall health.
Concluding their research on eczema treatment, the researchers suggested that red light therapy ‘may become the new therapy of choice’ for addressing common eczema.
While consistency remains crucial for natural light treatments, the study highlighted above demonstrated that even infrequent, short treatments yielded significant improvements in the analyzed group of individuals with eczema.
Lab Studies Show Red Light Therapy Improves Eczema and Reduces Itchiness
Red light therapy has demonstrated benefits for eczema treatment in numerous laboratory studies, particularly when combined with other treatments. Various combinations, ranging from sophisticated immunosuppressive drugs to simple warm water baths, have been tested alongside natural light treatments, yielding highly encouraging results.
A 2013 study investigated the advantages of light therapy in conjunction with an immunosuppressive drug, revealing several benefits for eczema treatment, including:
- Significant reduction in the severity of skin lesions
- Decreased inflammation
- Restoration of the skin barrier
In a similar study led by the same principal researcher, the effects of red light combined with a warm water bath were examined for eczema. This combination also resulted in reduced inflammation, diminished development of skin lesions, and suppression of allergic reactions.
Another study in 2017 utilized SCORAD, a clinical tool for assessing eczema severity, revealing that light therapy reduced skin thickness, allergy-related cells, and the accumulation of dead cells in the epidermis.
While further research on red light and eczema is warranted, ongoing trials indicate promising prospects. The existing body of research highlights how natural red light therapy can alleviate itchiness and inflammation and improve skin lesions for individuals with eczema. Additionally, red light therapy has shown efficacy in treating various other skin conditions.
Red Light Therapy for Psoriasis Relief
Psoriasis and its accompanying itchy symptoms often present a lifelong challenge. Discovering a treatment regimen that suits both you and your body can be equally daunting. Two preliminary studies investigating the therapeutic effects of red light therapy on psoriasis have yielded promising results.
A 2010 study targeted patients with chronic psoriasis, a condition often resistant to conventional treatments. Over a 4-5 week period, researchers administered treatment with follow-up evaluations, noting significant improvements in psoriasis symptoms.
Red light therapy yielded the following improvements in psoriasis symptoms:
- Psoriasis Clearance: Patients experienced a clearance rate ranging from 60% to 100% for recalcitrant psoriasis.
- Reduced Inflammation: Red light therapy effectively reduced skin inflammation in psoriasis patients.
- High Patient Satisfaction: Researchers concluded that satisfaction levels were universally very high among psoriasis patients treated with red light.
In another double-blind, randomized study involving 20 psoriasis patients, researchers evaluated the effects of red light therapy. By monitoring two psoriatic plaques on each patient, one treated and one untreated, researchers observed reductions in redness, hardening, and scaling of the skin.
Alleviating Inflammation in Psoriasis and Eczema through Red Light Therapy
Virtually every study investigating red light therapy’s impact on eczema or psoriasis has consistently reported a reduction in inflammation levels. This decrease in inflammation not only alleviates itching and discomfort but also accelerates the healing process and aids in preventing chronic symptoms.
The natural anti-inflammatory properties of red light have been extensively documented in hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical trials. Additionally, red light therapy is FDA-indicated for the treatment of pain and strain.
To conclude
Red light therapy emerges as a compelling natural remedy for eczema and psoriasis, effectively reducing itchiness and inflammation while promoting skin healing. Recent studies demonstrate its efficacy in alleviating symptoms and improving overall skin health. Moreover, natural red light therapy is consistently deemed safe and free of major side effects, presenting a preferable alternative to prescription drugs and invasive procedures.
Scientific Sources and Medical References:
- [1] National Eczema Association
- [2] National Psoriasis Foundation
- [3] Morita H, Kohno J. et al. Clinical Application of GaAlAs 830 nm Diode Laser for Atopic Dermatitis. Laser Therapy. 1993 vol 5.
- [4] Kim CH, Cheong KA, Lee AY. 850nm light-emitting-diode phototherapy plus low-dose tacrolimus (FK-506) as combination therapy in the treatment of Dermatophagoides farinae-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Journal of Dermatological Science. 2013 Nov.
- [5] Kim CH, Cheong KA, et al. Effects of low-dose light-emitting-diode therapy in combination with water bath for atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2016 Jan.
- [6] Jekal SJ, Park MS, et al. The Combined Effects of Curcumin Administration and 630 nm LED Phototherapy against DNCB-induced Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Lesions in BALB/c Mice. Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science. 2017 June.
- [7] Ablon G. Combination 830-nm and 633-nm light-emitting diode phototherapy shows promise in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriasis: preliminary findings. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2010 Feb.
- [8] Kleinpenning MM, Otero ME, et al. Efficacy of blue light vs. red light in the treatment of psoriasis: a double-blind, randomized comparative study. Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2012 Feb.