Low Level Light Therapy Course (Photorejuvenation) Prepared by Peter Nesbitt All rights reserved, 2006 1 www.ActiveForever.
Photorejuvenation Course Book Instructor’s Edition This is the same course book given to students. Questions from tests are in the particular sections in red and are only in the Instructor’s edition. Chapters 1. Definitions, Basic History of Light Therapy and Knowledge of Electromagnetic Spectrum 2. LED, IPL, and Laser Treatments 3. Cosmetic Light Therapy 4. Safety Considerations 5. Serums and Products Used With Light Therapy 6. Combining Treatments 7.
Chapter 1 1) Visible Light: light that is within the visible spectrum, 400nm (violet) to 700nm (red) 1. Visible light is light that humans can see and is between 400 and 700 nm wavelength. True False 2) Infrared Light: light in the invisible spectrum below red, from 700nm to 2,000nm 2. Infrared light is between 700 and 2000 nm wavelength and we can see it. True False 3) Frequency: number of cycles per second measured in Hertz (Hz). 3. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
8. Joules are used to measure energy delivered. True False 10) Watts (w) and milliwatts (mw, 1/ 1000th of a watt): units used to measure the power capability 9. Watts and milliwatts are used to measure power.
Introduction and History Light Therapy has been in use for over 100 years. In 1903, Niels Finson was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on UV rays and various skin conditions which showed a success rate of 98% in thousands of cases, mostly lupus, a autoimmune disease of skin and connective tissue. Before the invention of antibiotics, in the 1930s and 1940s, blood irradiation with light was used by American Doctors Emmett Knott and George Miley to treat a multitude of maladies with great success.
True False 17. Both visible red and infrared wavelengths have been shown to produce at least 24 positive changes at the cellular level. True False 40 Light Therapy has been in use for over 100 years. True False The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Light Therapy The Electromagnetic Spectrum is composed of various energy waveforms that can be considered particles (Photons).
X-rays 1-1000pm (1pm=.000000000001 meter) X-raying Gamma Rays 1-1000fm (1fm=.000000000000001 meter) accelerators 15. A tanning bed might use 375nm wavelength light for tanning purposes. True False In the Visible Light, Nanometers (wavelength) = Color The visible light spectrum is the wavelengths or colors that humans can see. They start at 400nm (Blue) and end around 700nm (Red). In light therapy, you will see various wavelengths mentioned.
18. Tiina Karu is a leading scientist in the field of Low Power Light Therapy. True False Generally speaking, Photorejuvenation essentially works at the cellular level. Each cell contains a number of power plants, called mitochondria. The function of these power plants is to produce ATP, the form of energy that can be used by the cell to function properly. LED (Light Emitting Diodes) light is narrow bandwidth light as opposed to incandescent or florescent (wide bandwidth) light.
Physiological Benefits In mature skin and tissue, the increased cellular activity results in physiological benefits which taken together are frequently called, “Photorejuvenation”. These benefits are: 1. Increased blood circulation; 2. Increased proliferation of fibroblasts; 3. Stimulation of collagen production; 4. Increased lymphatic activity; 5. Stimulation of the body’s anti-inflammatory response. These effects are discussed in detail in Chapter 3.
20. Blue light penetrates the body more easily (deeper) than red light. True False 10 www.ActiveForever.
Chapter 2: LED, IPL, and Laser Treatments What is the Difference between LED’s, IPL, and LASERS? LED’s and LASERS both produce electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelengths. IPL devices normally produce a wider bandwidth (multiple wavelengths) than pure Lasers or LED’s. A laser will produce 100% of its light energy in a single wavelength such as 632.8 nm and the light will be coherent (single wavelength in phase).
33. Low Power treatments (LED) can use enough power to kill melanocytes (age spots) and they will float to the surface in 5 to 12 days and peel off.
Chapter 3 - Cosmetic Light Therapy What Does Red/Infrared Light Therapy Actually Do? Increase vascularity (circulation). By increasing the formation of new capillaries, additional blood vessels replace damaged ones. New capillaries speed up the healing process by supplying additional oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. In addition, light therapy increases vasodilation which also improves blood flow to the skin and uptake of products used on the skin.
24. ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate. True False 25 ATP provides the chemical energy that drives the chemical reactions of the cell. True False Increase lymphatic system activity. Edema, which is the swelling or natural splinting process of the body, has two basic components. The first is a liquid part which can be evacuated by the blood system and the second is comprised of the proteins which have to be evacuated by the lymphatic system.
Increase phagocytosis. This is the process of scavenging for and ingesting dead or degenerated cells by the phagocyte cells. This is an important part of the infection control process. The healing process depends upon the destruction of infection and cellular clean up. This process is particularly important in acne treatment. 30. Low level light treatments aid the process of scavenging and ingesting dead or degenerated cells. True False Induce a thermal like effect in the tissue.
Acne and other Skin Conditions (Red/Infrared Treatment with Quasar SP): Photorejuvenation provides a superior treatment for acne. The body’s physiological response to light stimulation acts quickly on the root causes of acne. • • • Anti-inflammatory action reduces blemishes and stimulates healing; The Light Therapy normalizes sebum production to help control acne breakouts; With the Quasar Blue – the combined red/infrared and blue light therapy kills or reduces P.acne bacteria.
Combination of treatments. You may combine photo rejuvenation with microdermabrasion, peels, products, etc. It will only enhance the benefits of these other treatments and reduce downtime. The cost of treatments. The spa photo rejuvenation treatment can equal the benefits of similar treatments using laser IPL but at less than ½ the cost. What Low Level Light Therapy Won’t Do Low level light therapy works well on conditions which respond to a stimulation of the healing response.
Chapter 4 - Safety LED light therapy is considered a safe treatment without harmful side effects. As with any treatment, however, client safety must always be of first concern. Side Effects At this time, research has shown no side effects from this form of therapy. Red and Infrared wavelengths are present in sunlight.
38. You should allow small children to play with the Quasar. True False Contra Indicators Contra indicators are conditions in which medical supervision is needed before administering treatment. Light Therapy is a very new technology and the interactions between the light and certain drugs and maladies have not been fully studied. Under these conditions, a medical Doctor’s permission and supervision is needed before giving treatments to clients.
Chapter 5 – Serums and Products In March of 2003, the American Dermatological Society suggested that the use of anti-oxidant vitamin serums with photo rejuvenation gave better cosmetic effects than using either alone. This observation has lead to the use of many types of serums in conjunction with photo rejuvenation. Photo rejuvenation is a new technology and exact protocols for using different types of serums are still being established.
Note: There are respected Estheticians on both sides on whether to use Antioxidants either pre or post photo rejuvenation treatment. We believe that post treatment is slightly better but either way is acceptable. 19. Anti-Oxidants are the only serum that could be used either before or after photo rejuvenation treatment. True False Moisturizers Moisturizers such as Hyaluronic Acid, Ellagic Acid, and Aloe should be used after cleaning the face and before photo rejuvenation treatment.
Chapter 6 - Combining Treatments Many Cosmetologists and Estheticians currently use Light Therapy in combination with other treatment modalities. The most common combinations are probably with microdermabrasion and peels. Treatments such as these, work partly by damaging the epidermis which stimulates the body to begin healing the skin. The new skin typically looks younger and fresher.
Chapter 7 – Treatment Methods and Protocols The Skin Analysis: All photorejuvenation treatments must begin with a complete and thorough analysis of the skin on which you plan to work. Face, neck, decollate, hands, arms, chest, etc. can all be included. You must identify skin problems, discuss them with your client; determine which flaws he or she wishes to correct; and make your professional suggestions for treatment.
Treatment Instructions for the Quasar SP Assembly To assemble the Quasar SP, remove it from the carrying case, plug the power module into the power cord and simply plug the it into a 120 volt AC outlet. Operation Through its economy of design and technological innovation, the Quasar SP brings professional level power and results in a portable, hand held, photorejuvenation device. It has three modes of operation: Continuous Wave (CW, non pulsed), Low Pulse Frequency, and High Pulse Frequency.
2. The Quasar SP has three modes of operation. True False 3. A green indicator light would show the Quasar in High Frequency Mode. True False 6. In the CW mode the buzzer sounds every 4 minutes. True False 7. In Low and High Frequency Mode the buzzer sounds every 2 minutes. True False Preparations Explain about contra indicators: EPILEPSY, PREGNANCY, CORTISONE, or STEROID INJECTIONS and that IODINE increases photosensitivity. Have the client sign the Client Consent to Treatment Form.
1. Divide the face into 6 sections as shown in the picture below. 9. In all facial treatment instructions we divide the face into 6 areas. True False 2. First, split the face into left and right halves and then into three horizontal areas. Areas C &D extend under the chin and under the jaw line. Areas B & E extend to the base of the ears. 3. Ask the client if they have any areas that they want to concentrate on. When you start using the concentrating cone, this will be an important point.
the wand head up to keep the skin from bunching up in front of the wand. You may tighten the skin with your other hand if you prefer. 6. Next, move clockwise to section B. Slowly move the wand over that area for two minutes. 7. Moving in a clockwise direction, treat section C, then section D, section E, and last, section F. 8. Now push the button on the back of the hand piece until the indicator light shines red. 9.
Hyaluronic Serum Light Facial Treatment Use this treatment to super moisturize your skin. it is also a great treatment for weathered and dry skin. Clean and prepare face as with normal treatment. Apply 1 pump squirt to fingers and massage into face. You may experience a slight stinging sensation that will disappear in a few minutes. Do not over apply. One to two pump squirts will normally cover the entire face.
Using Two Quasar Units Simultaneously This is a common practice among Cosmetologists and estheticianss that wish to do combination treatments such as micro-derm and light treatment, or vitamin facial and light treatment. Some Estheticians use two units simply to save time. The procedure is the same as using a single Quasar unit. As you start treatment on the right forehead with one unit, treat the left forehead with the other Quasar unit.
Acne Treatment Inflammatory Acne results from an over production of sebum and an increase of the P. Acne bacteria which feeds on it. By adapting a combination red and blue treatment, you can effectively manage the causes of Acne without resorting to harsh medication. As in other cases, you may safely use the Light Therapy for Acne in combination with medication. The client does not have to stop other treatment modalities to do the Light Therapy.
