SFME 2014 - Practical use of LED in PRIVATE PRACTICE - MICHEL MD

Practical use of LED in PRIVATE PRACTICE

F. MICHEL, Dermatologist, Thiers

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The use of LEDs in medical practices is rapidly becoming commonplace due to the technique’s discreetness and virtual indispensability, having identified its potential.

In the standard frame of a medical or cosmetic dermatology setting, two important directions dominate, the high intensity treatment for well-responding patients, and the accompanying of habitual treatment.

The high intensity treatment is always accompanied by the use of topicals before and after the sessions since it potentiates the effect of the substances applied to the skin. Some products have been developed specifically for this purpose, but usual treatments are often enough.

This effect radiance may also be amplified by other combined techniques such as radiofrequency, Yag lasers, mesotherapy and others.

Regarding what follows, we refer of course to the calming effect just after an invasive treatment such as fractional CO2 laser or surgery. We obtain an immediate analgesic effect and a shortening of erythema or scarring.

But it may also be used for more long-term side effects such as post-inflammatory pigmentation, scars and fibrous erythematous. It is remarkable to note that this is a regenerative medicine that will sometimes reduce excess vascularization and  sometimes increase the insufficient vascularization of fibrotic scars.

Also important is its use in acne treatment, as isotretinoin has no effect on scars and this delicate and inexpensive technique could easily be offered to adolescents.

Various other inflammatory lesions can be treated, making this such an immense field. Among the most interesting applications are rosacea, flushes, pilar keratosis, alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis of the face and some rebels melasma.

Being developed are applications for androgenic alopecia, vitiligo cellulite for skin type orange and excess fat.

Finally, a very interesting effect of LEDs is improved mood induced by re-equilibration, as those suffering from depression become more tonic and those suffering from anxiety become more confident.

Altogether, this tool that is so delicate yet disconcerting in its sheer number of applications adapts to each of its uses and is being constantly improved, opening a slew of possibility.