Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It's not uncommon, and it can cause significant discomfort and embarrassment. If you have psoriasis, you know firsthand how frustrating it can be to find an effective treatment that works for you. Fortunately, LED light therapy is emerging as a promising treatment option for psoriasis. In this post, we'll explore what psoriasis is, its symptoms, and what causes it. We'll also delve into the ways you can manage psoriasis naturally, including exercise and changes in diet. Finally, we'll take a closer look at how LED light therapy can help with psoriasis and the other benefits it can provide for your skin.
What is psoriasis?
Starting with the basics, let’s explore the condition.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition. It's a non-contagious autoimmune disorder that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. These patches can appear anywhere on the body. But they're most commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.
While the exact causes of psoriasis are unknown, psoriasis is generally caused by an overactive immune system. The immune system triggers the production of new skin cells too quickly, leading to a buildup of cells on the skin's surface. Then, this buildup creates the characteristic red, scaly patches that are the hallmark of psoriasis.
Types of psoriasis
That said, there are several types of psoriasis, each with its own unique symptoms:
- The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, characterized by red, raised patches of skin covered with a silvery-white buildup of dead skin cells.
- Another type of psoriasis is guttate psoriasis, which causes small, teardrop-shaped lesions on the skin.
- Inverse psoriasis, on the other hand, affects the folds of the skin, such as the armpits and groin area, and appears as smooth, red patches of skin.
- Unlike most other types, pustular psoriasis causes white, pus-filled blisters on the skin.
- Finally, erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare but severe form of the condition that causes widespread redness and scaling of the skin.
Understanding the different types of psoriasis and their symptoms is important in determining the best treatment for managing the condition.
Causes of psoriasis
So, having covered what psoriasis is, its exact cause is unknown. Still, several factors can trigger the onset of the condition.
- Genetics plays a role, as psoriasis tends to run in families.
- Immune system dysfunction is also thought to be a contributing factor, as the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, causing inflammation and skin cell overproduction.
- Environmental factors, such as stress, infection, injury to the skin, and certain medications, can also trigger the onset or exacerbation of psoriasis.
- Lifestyle factors like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet can also increase the risk of developing psoriasis.
Of course, understanding the potential triggers for psoriasis is important for managing the condition and preventing flare-ups.
Natural Ways to Manage Psoriasis
So, how can you manage this condition? LED light therapy is an excellent approach. But you may also combine it with other natural treatments. Before we delve into how LED light therapy can help with psoriasis, consider the following.
Lifestyle changes
First, making lifestyle changes can be an effective way to manage psoriasis symptoms. Diet plays an important role in managing psoriasis, and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce inflammation in the body. That’s what is psoriasis, essentially, so such changes can only help.
Exercise is another lifestyle change that can be beneficial for people with psoriasis. Furthermore, working out has many benefits, including reducing stress levels, improving circulation, and boosting overall health. Exercise also increases blood flow to the skin, improving skin health and easing psoriasis symptoms. Stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help reduce stress levels and prevent psoriasis flare-ups.
Topical treatments and oral medications
Next, topical treatments are often the first line of defense in managing psoriasis symptoms. These treatments come in the form of creams, ointments, and moisturizers that are applied directly to the affected areas of the skin. These topical treatments can help reduce inflammation, soothe skin irritation, and slow down the production of skin cells. Topical treatments can be very effective in managing mild to moderate cases of psoriasis.
In some cases, however, topical treatments alone may not be enough to manage psoriasis symptoms, and oral medications may be prescribed. Prescription medications like methotrexate, cyclosporine, and acitretin can help reduce inflammation and slow down the growth of skin cells. Biologic drugs are another type of oral medication that may be prescribed for more severe cases of psoriasis, which can be very effective in reducing inflammation and improving skin symptoms. However, biological drugs can also have significant side effects and are generally reserved for more severe cases of psoriasis.
In all cases, it is important to work closely with a healthcare provider with experience in psoriasis to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs.
Phototherapy
Finally, phototherapy, or light therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light. This treatment can be done in a dermatologist's office or at home with a phototherapy unit. UV light has been shown to be effective in managing psoriasis symptoms by slowing down the growth of skin cells and reducing inflammation.
Here it’s notable that different types of phototherapy treatments are available, including narrowband UVB, broadband UVB, and UVA with psoralen. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity and location of the psoriasis symptoms. Phototherapy can be a very effective treatment option for psoriasis. Still, it is important to follow the recommended treatment plan and take precautions to avoid overexposure to UV light, which can increase the risk of skin cancer. As with any psoriasis treatment, working closely with a healthcare provider is important to determine your best treatment plan.
How Can LED Light Therapy Help with Psoriasis
So, having discussed psoriasis, we can delve into the main subject; what LED light therapy can do to help.
How LED light therapy works
LED light therapy is a type of phototherapy that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to deliver specific wavelengths of light to the skin. Unlike traditional UV phototherapy, LED light therapy does not produce heat or contain UV rays, making it a safe and non-invasive treatment option for psoriasis.
LED light therapy works by stimulating the skin cells to produce more energy and boosting collagen and elastin production, which can help improve the skin's texture and reduce inflammation. The blue light spectrum effectively reduces inflammation and bacteria on the skin, while the red light spectrum can help reduce pain and promote healing.
LED light therapy can be used in combination with other psoriasis treatments, like the ones outlined above, to improve the effectiveness of treatment further.
Benefits of LED light therapy for psoriasis
Indeed, LED light therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for people with psoriasis. LED light therapy is non-invasive and drug-free, unlike oral medications or topical treatments. This makes it a safe and accessible treatment option for many individuals who may object to other options. LED light therapy can also provide long-lasting relief from psoriasis symptoms without the potential side effects of medications.
Also, as highlighted above in the section on psoriasis, we’ve covered that the condition can affect different body parts. Fortunately, LED light therapy can also treat psoriasis on various parts of the body, including the scalp, which can be difficult to treat with traditional phototherapy. Overall, LED light therapy is a promising option for those seeking a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment for psoriasis.
Clinical evidence
Finally, if you’re worried about its clinical effectiveness, fear not. Several clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of LED light therapy in treating psoriasis.
- A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that LED light therapy significantly reduced psoriasis severity and improved skin clearance rates compared to placebo treatment.
- Another study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that red and blue LED light therapy improved psoriasis symptoms and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The study also noted that LED light therapy was well-tolerated by patients and had no reported adverse effects.
- A systematic review of multiple studies on LED light therapy for psoriasis treatment found that it was a safe and effective option for reducing psoriasis severity and improving skin clearance rates.
These studies provide strong evidence for using LED light therapy in treating psoriasis, making it a promising non-invasive treatment option for people with the condition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you should now understand what psoriasis is and how LED light therapy can help with psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide, but fortunately, it can be managed effectively with LED light therapy. The benefits of this non-invasive and drug-free treatment option extend beyond psoriasis, as LED light therapy can also help with acne, pain relief, anti-aging, and wound healing. Along with LED light therapy, lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, and working out have many skin benefits and can aid in managing psoriasis. By exploring different treatment options and making healthy choices, individuals can take control of their psoriasis and enjoy clearer, healthier skin. While brief, we hope this article helped inspire you and inform you of your options for a better everyday life.
