What is it about?
We conducted a study to explore if different types of light could stimulate the release of nitric oxide (NO) from the skin. NO is crucial for healing wounds, reducing swelling, and improving blood circulation. We enlisted 18 participants, whose arms were enclosed in airtight sleeves to prevent air exchange. We exposed their skin to three different light wavelengths: blue, red, and near-infrared, which is almost invisible to the naked eye. A specialized machine measured the NO levels released after the light treatment. Our findings confirmed that these lights indeed increase NO production, with blue and near-infrared lights showing the most significant effects.
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Photo by Yingchih on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Our findings suggest that using these lights could be a new way to help heal wounds faster, control swelling, and improve blood circulation without needing to cut the skin or use drugs. This could be great news for people with certain health conditions that make healing difficult.
Perspectives
Our study shows that using specific lights on the skin can boost the release of a healing gas called nitric oxide, which might help in treating wounds and improving circulation. This exciting discovery could lead to new, non-invasive ways to speed up healing and manage inflammation, making recovery easier and more comfortable for patients.
MD FRCPC Daniel Barolet
McGill University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: In Vivo Measurement of Nitric Oxide Release from Intact Human Skin Post Photobiomodulation Using Visible and Near-Infrared Light: A Chemiluminescence Detection Study, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, August 2024, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2024.100250.
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