As the summer months quickly approach it may be time to consider how you will protect your skin from the increase in ultraviolet light (UV). Damage from this bandwidth of light can cause sunburns, and even more serious conditions with repeated exposure. So, do you have a plan for how to protect your skin this summer even as you enjoy the wonders of the warmer months?
It may be surprising to find out that preparing your skin with infrared light exposure may actually help to prevent damage from UV light. Now, to be clear, it is still important to avoid the sun during the peak hours of UV light with the use of hats, umbrellas, long sleeve shirts, and perhaps even sunscreen lotions. As many of us know it is difficult to fully avoid UV light during fun summer time activities, why not find ways to precondition the skin for maximum protection during the hotter months of the year.
There are several ways that infrared light may help to protect the skin from harsh UV light in a preventative manner, and also as a healing power after exposure has occurred. As the summer months approach, consider the use of an infrared sauna to help precondition the skin for potential exposure to UV light, and also keep your infrared light handy as you look to heal the skin after high UV light sun exposure.
Studies have shown infrared light as both protective against the damage from UV light exposure, as well as a healing tool after photodamage has occurred. Find out the details of the research that compares the effects of UV light on the epidermis compared to infrared light, and exactly how light from the sun is proportionally dispersed on to the earth. Furthermore, discover how you can use infrared light either in a sauna, naturally from the sun, or as a panel to protect your skin from UV light, and to heal from the negative effects from overexposure.
Not all light is created equal, and it is imperative to understand the difference between the various frequencies of light as they are derived naturally from the sun as well as in artificial forms. By understanding the difference between healthy light and not so healthy light, it may be possible to heal your skin from sun damage and prevent more aggressive diseases affecting the skin from developing.
You may be able to prevent sunburns with infrared light this summer!
What is the Light Spectrum? UV Light Versus Infrared Light
The sun emits a radiant spectrum of electromagnetic energy in the form of light. Light itself reaches the earth in many different forms, all of which are differentiated by a specific wavelength of light frequency. Each light frequency affects the earth and the human body differently. It is widely understood that UV, or ultraviolet light, can damage the skin with excessive exposure. Many individuals do not fully understand the rest of the light spectrum, which actually accounts for a much greater percentage of experienced light.
Light frequency is measured using nanometers (nm), similar to using miles to measure distance. Within the wide band of different light frequencies journeying to planet earth, UV light only accounts for a small percentage. UV light is measured between 100-400 nm. Once light frequency slows down to 400 nm it becomes visible to the human eye and begins to express as color light until around 700 nm. Once light frequency is moving in slower wavelengths it becomes near infrared light (NIR) and far infrared light (FIR). Near infrared and far infrared light are invisible to the human eye, but are experienced as heat. Infrared light frequencies occupy the spectrum of light between 700 nanometers to 1300 nanometers.
With a fuller picture of the difference between ultraviolet and infrared light it may be easier to picture the entire color light spectrum separating UV from the invisible infrared light.
According to a paper published by the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘Infrared and Skin: Friend or Foe’ (1) the percentage of UV light, color light, and infrared light are divided up in this way.
“6.8% UV, 38.9% visible, and 54.3% near infrared radiation (NIR)”
*Visible= Color Light
Close to 40% of all light that reaches the earth at sea level (and beyond) is near infrared light. This heralds excellent news as this is the most healing bandwidth of light for humans. No wonder earth is considered the ‘Goldilocks’ planet!
There still remains close to 7% of the sun’s radiance emitting UV light. Not all exposure to UV light is bad, in fact UV light is necessary for the conversion of light energy into usable vitamin D for the body. It is also true that UV light is responsible for skin damage, or photodamage, as well as other more serious dermatological diseases. Only receiving small doses of UV light is very important for the health and appearance of the skin. UV light is at its strongest between 10 AM and 3 PM, while infrared light is at its strongest with the rising and the setting of the sun.
While beneficial for the conversion of light into vitamin D, in general UV light should be avoided due to its ability to change the chemical makeup of skin. This is why this bandwidth of light, and this one alone, can cause a sunburn or a tan. Infrared light or color light DO NOT have the ability to burn or tan the skin.
According to the aforementioned paper, the authors discuss how UV light affects the skin when they write this.
“UV has enough energy to break chemical bonds and carry out photochemical reactions…Although the consequences of sun exposure on the skin have been extensively studied over the years, the impact of IR radiation has received far less attention than its UV counterpart that is well known to cause skin cancer, photoaging, and immune suppression.” (1)
How do the different light spectrums interact with each other in a way that can actually alter human health in a positive way? Find out more about the research into infrared light’s relationship to skin both before and after exposure to ultraviolet light.
Infrared Light May Precondition the Skin For Ultraviolet Light Exposure: What is Photoprevention?
As the sun rises in the morning beautiful colors emerge to cover the surface of the earth, and this is also true in the evening as the sun dives behind the horizon. At these precious times of the day part of what makes the color so beautiful is the higher intensity of infrared light. The golden hour that is so sought after by photographers is not just an artistic preference, but can actually be quantified as healthy by science.
In order to maximize the amount of infrared light that an individual is exposed to it would be prudent to ensure that both the sunrise and sunset are observed. It is also possible to capture these wavelengths artificially in ceramic and carbon emitters as seen in infrared saunas, as well as in light panels and bulbs.
According to the paper ‘Infrared and Skin: Friend or Foe’ (1) humans may have adapted to the varying intensities of different light frequencies throughout the day. In fact, the researchers speculate that perhaps the early day infrared light may even prepare the skin for UV light exposure.
“IR-A might even precondition the skin – a process called photoprevention – from an evolutionary standpoint since exposure to early morning IR-A wavelengths in sunlight may ready the skin for the coming mid-day deleterious UVR.” (1)
Photoprevention is a process of exposing the skin to infrared light prior to UV light to help prevent photodamage from occurring. The exact reasons for what is happening within the body to account for this phenomenon are not fully understood. However the results are clear that with prior exposure to infrared light the effects of UV light become less damaging. (1) The authors of the paper conclude with this remark when comparing infrared light to UV light.
“Consequently IR-A appears to be the solution, not the problem.” (1)
It appears that not only is it possible that infrared light may precondition the skin for ultraviolet rays, it may also help to heal the skin if over exposure to the sun at high noon occurs.
Exposure to Infrared Light May Heal the Skin After Damage From UV Light
- Photobiomodulation
- Anti-Aging
- Wound Healing
As much as one tries, it can be difficult to escape the summer without a few sunburns and some photodamage. If you are like most people, by the time the fall comes around your skin will be in need of some tender loving care. Not only is infrared light an important aspect for preparing the skin for potential exposure to ultraviolet light, it may also help in the healing process.
The process of photobiomodulation (PBM) has gained increasing attention over the past 70 years with thousands of peer reviewed studies expounding upon its therapeutic benefits. Photobiomodulation is the use of near infrared light and sometimes the inclusion of red light as a phototherapy. Its uses are so multifaceted that it is beyond the scope of this article to outline all of them. From improving vision, glucose regulation, and increasing the health of the connective tissues of the joints, photobiomodulation has proven itself as a worthy therapy in many fields, including in the dermatological one.
The mitochondria are an organelle which exists within every cell of the body, and they are surrounded by a membrane with photoreceptors that are hyper-attuned to infrared light. It is in this area of the cell that the process similar to photosynthesis occurs, or where infrared light is converted into usable energy. (3)
As outlined by the authors of the paper ‘Infrared and Skin: Friend or Foe’ (1) photobiomodulation (PMB) is described in detail here .
“Using specific low energy (non-thermal) light parameters within a window of wavelengths from visible to NIR, PBM provides an alternative therapy for patients needing faster healing of wounds and/or for anti-inflammatory purposes. It has been compared to plant photosynthesis with a known photoacceptor molecule (cytochrome c oxidase) located in the mitochondria of eucaryotic cells.” (1)
The process of photobiomodulation can be used to improve the condition of the skin after, or even before exposure to ultraviolet light. In fact, infrared light may be considered as the antidote to ultraviolet light.
If you have experienced excessive photodamage consider using infrared light as an anti-aging treatment.
Anti-Aging, Dermatological Care and Infrared Light
According to the same paper examined earlier, infrared light has proven to be an effective tool in healing skin from sun damage. Studies using both red and near infrared light on the face showed demonstrably positive results on the appearance of wrinkles after 11 sessions. Here is what the authors write about the results of near infrared light on photoaged skin.
“To correlate these results, a split-face single-blinded study was conducted which showed a significant improvement in wrinkles on 660 nm treated skin. As part of the same in vitro experiment, 805 nm (NIR) was also tested with a comparable MMP-1 decrease over 11 treatments.” (1)
In addition to using infrared light as an anti-aging tool, it may also be worth exploring infrared light for its power in wound healing. This is true even for sunburns or simply to heal the skin after a summer of excessive sun exposure.
Wound Healing and Infrared Light
Infrared light devices can be found in dermatologist offices across the globe due to the plethora of research into the benefits of infrared light on wound healing of the skin. Despite the fact that the use of light as a medical treatment may still seem a little unscientific, the reality is that this theory is a part of the hard sciences now.
“It has been known for almost 50 years that low energy exposure to visible and NIR wavelengths is beneficial to humans via the promotion of healing processes. This low level light therapy (so called LLLT or PBM) has been reported in thousands of peer reviewed articles since 1968.” (1)
Furthermore, the same paper discussed earlier goes on to expound upon the many benefits that infrared light therapy has on improving the skin after ultraviolet exposure and damage, as well as a way to prevent sunburns.
“PBM parameters have been improving in the last decade so that it is now part of our therapeutic armamentarium in dermatology as a complimentary treatment modality to treat skin inflammation, promote faster wound healing after ablative procedures or even prevent sunburn.” (1)
Just to be clear this peer reviewed paper does cite exposure to infrared light as a means of preventing sunburns. Never before has there been any discussion of the use of different light spectrums to prevent damage from the sun. This does not mean to go out for five hours a day in the direct sunlight during the summer, or to throw your hats and umbrellas to the wayside. It does mean that a dose of infrared light may help prevent sun damage in case of exposure to excessive ultraviolet light while enjoying the summer months.
How to Use Infrared Light as a Photo-Protective Therapy as Well as a Healing Agent After Sun Exposure
Ensure that you protect yourself and your family from excessive exposure to ultraviolet light this summer. Stay inside or in the shade while UV light is high, wear a hat, use an umbrella, or even healthful sunscreen lotions. If you would like to take a few additional measures to prevent sunburns, and sun damage from UV light, then consider exposure to infrared light in the weeks leading up to summer, as well as in the morning hours before UV light is high.
Exposure to infrared light has been shown to help prevent damage from ultraviolet light to the skin, including sunburns. Infrared light is not a substitute for avoiding periods of high ultraviolet light, but rather should be considered as an adjunct therapy.
You can use an infrared sauna in the weeks leading up to higher than normal exposures to UV light, or for a few minutes in the morning before a big beach day. It is also possible to receive the benefits of infrared light naturally from the sun as it rises in the morning. Some exposure to infrared light in the morning before setting out for a fishing, surfing, or kayaking adventure may help prevent some sun damage.
You can also use infrared light to help heal the skin from sun damage. If you currently have a sunburn please avoid the sauna altogether. Once the sunburn has healed it is possible to go back to using an infrared sauna that includes near infrared light to help heal sun damaged skin.
It is also possible to access infrared light in a clinical setting for more severe cases of sun damage. Please consult with your dermatologist about using infrared light to heal your photodamaged skin.
If you do not have access to an infrared sauna, photobiomodulation red light panel, or a dermatologist with an infrared light device, consider going outside to watch a beautiful sunset and absorbing infrared light in this way.
Please remember that infrared light, while it may be photo-protective, is not a substitute for avoiding high levels of UV light. Please consult with your medical doctor if you have any questions about using infrared light in the prevention or treatment of sun damage from UV light.
If you are exposed to too much UV light, turn to the other spectrum of infrared light for healing!
Sources Cited:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4745411/
- https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/artificial-light/en/glossary/tuv/ultraviolet-radiation.htm
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7356229/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2386844/
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/photoimmunotherapy-video