Bozena Apetaurova, M. D., Ph. D.

 

Abstract

The paper of now deceased author deals with the use of polarized Biolamp in everyday cosmetic practice. It stemms from theoretical bases of effects of polarized light on various wavelengths on the skin and describes its general influence on metabolism and microcirculation in the tissue. Biolamp is an effective tool in treating acne, seborrhoic eczema, alopecias, herpes, wounds, ulcera, and in regenerating aging skin. Although all these complaints are primarily indicated for a therapeutic laser (LLLT), especially in extensive and serious cases, Biolamp has proven itself a successful complement of LLLT, or in minor cases even a simpler and inexpensive alternative of LLLT.

 

The Effects of Light

Cosmetics is a branch encompassing both prevention and therapy of skin diseases. It consists of skin cleansing, massages, the use of cosmetic agents and preparations and, last but not least, phototherapy with Biolamp as one of its forms.

Sun rays touching the Earth include in its spectrum parts with wavelenghs roughly between 300 to 4000 nanometres (nm). The band of visible light reaches from circa 430 to 750 nm. Shorter wavelengths mean ultraviolet light, whilst infrared (IR) light is emitted on longer wavelengths. Human body is used to these wavelengths.

Human organism in general, and human skin in particular react to irradiation within these wavelengths in different ways, often very selectively in rather a narrow frequency band, and this has been utilized in applications of  therapeutic as well as of surgical lasers in cosmetics. In general we can say that the skin is relatively pervious for light irradiation between 300 and 1100 nm, thus this irradiation can penetrate the skin rather deep. Longer bands of IR irradiation with wavelengths longer than 1300 nm are absorbed well in the skin, this becomming evident in increasing the temperature of the skin.

Under excessive exposures ultraviolet light has generally mutagenic and cancerogenic effects and it is necesary to consider it harmful.

Irradiation in the shorter IR band of the spectrum within 750 - 1100 nm wavelengths is the main resource of energy for plants and some types of bacteria in the nature and, according to literature (1) it may also be a source of energy for cells of human organism.

Positive effects of light irradiation on treatment and healing of skin has been known for a long time. However, the knowledge of effects of its individual spectral parts and of its characteristics (polarization, for instance) has deepened only in the course of the last few decades, so that it might be possible to make the best of it for rational treatment, especially when modern technical means, such as Biolamp or a therapeutic laser, are so easily accessible.

Biolamp emits light in spectral range 430 - 2800 nm. Its light does not contain any ultraviolet, nor significant heat infrared parts. Light within the range of  750 to 1200 nm, i.e. in the range where human body cells are able to transform the energy of light radiation into cellular energy, is the most intensive. This, as well as other, not so very well known, effects of light irradiation have a positive effect on the skin.

In general, it is possible to state that thanks to this particular light energy cellular metabolism is improved and oxidation processes in cells intensified, both resulting in possible regeneration of damaged cells as well as in strengthening of healthy cells. Through improved oxidation of the tissue its resistence to infections is strengthened. Furthermore, division of fibroblasts, of which ligamentary cells diferenciate, is influenced positively as well as metabolism of collagen filaments is improved, as far as their production in the event of deficiency is concerned. Blood microcirculation, favouring quick resorption of oedemas in damaged tissues, is positively influenced, too.

Biolamp emits polarized light. Polarization is believed to improve mentioned positive effects, although photobiological basis of this mechanism has not yet been fully revealed.

Biolamp irradiation has generally biostimulative, anti-inflammatory, and regeneration effects on skin, and these can be advantageously utilized for a complimentary treatment in a cosmetic practice.

 

Treatment of Acne with Biolamp

One of the most frequent dermatoses is represented by acne. It affects cheeks, forehead, shoulders, back and chest. Unsightly look of the skin causes patients depressions, bringing often also psychic problems. It has been till today a grave therapeutic problem for cosmeticians as well as for physicians.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory affection, damaging a pilosebaceous unit multifactorially. Hyperkeratinization and obstructions of sebaceous follicles appear. Increased level of androgenes stimulates increase of production of sebum and multiplication of bacterial flora, particularly of Propionibacterium Acnes, causing successive inflammatory manifestations.

Primarily, clinical image of acne includes comedones. Furthermore, there appear papulae, papulocysts, cysts, apostemas, conglobates, and indurations.

Acne is classified according to the scope of affection. For cosmetic purposes it is usually suitable to distinguish between primary acne without inflammatory symptomas, and secondary acne accompanied by inflammatory manifestations, or between superficial and deep acne. Strategy of treatment and prognosis of the disease is determined according to the scope of involvement. There is a rule to begin the treatment as soon as possible, even though extent and clinical symptoms may appear only minor, for further complications and progression of the ailment can only hardly be foreseen.

Therapy should be approached comprehensively, and we should make full use of all diagnostic resources in order to be able to determine individually the best suitable treatment. Therapy requires good cooperation between therapist and patient, strictly observing dietary and hygienic regimes, as well as regular and thorough treating and cleansing of the skin at home.

Rational treatment is aimed at the overwhelming phenomenon. In fact it means to be concentrated on decrease of formation of comedones, suppression of creation of sebum, positive influence on bacterial flora, and quicker healing. Therapy can be either fully external, or externally-internal utilizing antibiotics, hormonal therapy, corticosteroids, retinoids etc. (3, 4, 5)

 For a cosmetic care treatment of only superficial forms of acne with no major purulent affections is appropriate. In case of even minor inflammatory finding consulting a physitian-specialist is recommended.

Regular mechanical cleansing of affected spots on the skin holds a significant role in treatment of acne. Expertly thorough and gentle cleansing is the basic prerequisite of  successful healing of acne (Editor: incl. among others deep cleansing of skin using the Laser Mask - see Laser Partner Clinixperience No. 33).

Agents utilized in cosmetic practice represent a broad and rich spectrum, however these are not subject matter of this paper. High hygienic care, as well as due choice of these agents should be paid attention to. We recommend using natural agents with no irritating conservatives and perfumes.

Treating deeper forms acne we shall change the strategy complementing standard external treatment by internal medication, based on long-term administration of antibiotics, hormonal preparations, corticoids etc. Regular monitoring of both clinical and laboratory values is necessary in these cases, due to possible side effects of these drugs on the organism.

The main effort in treatment of acne is always to use all possible non-invasive means to treat affected skin and to keep the skin in a good condition. One of these means is phototherapy and therefore I am now going to describe my good experience in using Biolamp.

In the course of twelve months I was treating total 47 patients with problematic acne affected skin, 39 women and 8 men. The youngest member of the group was a girl at the age of 13 years, the eldest was a 47 years old woman. Average age of the group was 26.6 years.

In all the cases I was proceeding in the same method, consisting of cleansing of the skin a using special foments and masks. Furthermore, a strict regimen and skin care products were recommended for home care. Cosmetic agents were pure natural, and were not changed for the whole period of following the patients. Biolamp was applied as a complementary means of treatment.

At the beginning of treatment of mentioned patients Biolamp was used as often as possible. It was applied on duly cleansed skin for the period of 5 minutes, at least 10 to 15 times, for 3 to 5 weeks. Following applications were changed according to results obtained. I consider this number of applications significant, for noticeable improvement occured after 3 to 5 irradiations at the earliest. Interruption for a longer time lead to relapses.

This gusty start has appeared necessary to obtain a good therapeutic effect. Best results were achieved when a patient having purchased a Biolamp applied it at home for about 3 minutes 3 times a day. In all the cases after such a therapy a great improvement was noticed, followed even by a complete heal-up in cases of a minor inflammatory finding.

Tactics of further time applications of Biolamp was directed by local findings. I usually applied Biolamp in once-a-week to once-a-month periods, for the whole time of further monitoring.

Majority of patients had noticed themselves aggravation of acne manifestations in certain periods (before menstruation, after viroses, after taking certain drugs etc.) and therefore made preventive visits during these risky periods in order to take more frequent irradiations with Biolamp in order to avoid, or even totally supress such a deterioration.

 

Other Cosmetic Applications of Biolamp

During a systematic one-year following of effects of Biolamp on acne-affected impure skin there was also a possibility to monitor its effects on other skin affections, simultaneously occuring in the patients. I am going to mention those with a noticeable positive effect of Biolamp irradiation.

So called seborrhoic eczema appears usually on the forehead at the borderline between skin and hairy part of head, being manifested by exfoliating itchy skin. However, it often affects the whole scalp. Exfoliation is sometimes markedly suggestive of dandruff. Greasy hair and its excessive defluvium are rather a rule. After application of Bioplamp on the face with the light spot reaching up over the forehead the condition improved remarkably. That was why I extended in these patients irradiation with Biolamp to the hairy scalp, too.

However, positive effects were obtained also against excessive hair loss after ilnesses, stress, drugs medication (especially antibiotics) etc. 

On atopic eczema application of Biolamp was also a benefit upon standard dermatology treatment, according to professor Novotny`s statement. (2)

After a long term application of Biolamp I noticed significant regeneration changes, especially on older skin. Skin became smoother with wrinkles less noticeable, with a nice healthy look. I also achieved minor scars after secondary healing of acne getting smoothed away on different levels. I use Biolamp as a part of a complex cosmetologic care of aging skin.

Furthermore, very good results on herpes labialis vere recorded. Application of Biolamp for about 5 - 6 minutes twice a day in the very initial stage of the disease caused almost immediate halt of further progression. Herpes dried quickly without recrement.

I also have to mention good results in healing fresh wounds and on early phlogistic processes on the skin, as well as on varicose ulcers.

 

Conclusion

It is necessary to stress that Biolamp is no panacea. Biolamp should be regarded as an effective supportive treatment complementing standard methods and comprehensive skin care, if applied in suitable frequency and reasonable dosages. However, it should be mentioned that its effect appears after a longer application and thus an immediate success cannot be expected.

In the course of my monitoring I could not use a control group due to obvious reasons, for each patient has the right for all accessible means to be used on him/her in order for the best possible results be achieved in the shortest possible time. Therefore evaluation of results must obviously be subjective, being based  not only on my findings, but also on reactions of my patients. The evaluation is unambiguously positive.

In cases of larger and substantial afflictions, deep scars and other diseases of the skin obviously treatment with a laser (LLLT) is recommended. Complementary and simple irradiation with Biolamp also proved successful, since results obtained by laser therapy can be stimulated and confirmed with no further progression of the disease.

Last but not least, using Biolamp is very simple, safe, and not requiring special precautions, meaning a great advantage not only for a cosmetic practice but also for its home use.

 

Literature

1. Warnke, U. W.: Wie Licht-Energie zu Zell-Energie wird. Arztliche Praxis, Jhg. 97, pp. 3039-3040, 1987.
2. Novotný, F.: Ekzémové onemocnění v praxi (Eczematic Diseases in Practice). Grada, Avicenum, 1993.
3. Hegyi, E., Kolibášová, K.: Stratégia výberu liečebných metód v terapii acne vulgaris (Strategy of Choosing Therapeutic Methods in Therapy of Acne Vulgaris). 1/4 s. Derm. 67, 1992, Nr. 5, pp. 281-284.
4. Rasochová, E.: Akné - plehlad súčasných možností liecenia (Acne - a Review of Contemporary Possibilities of Therapy). Slovenský lekár, 1992, pp. 18-21.
5. Poláchová, I.: On Treating Acne Vulgaris with Antiandrogens. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis, 1991, Tom. 129 Facultatis Medicae, pp. 133-137.