What is Skin PhotoRejuvenation?
Skin Photorejuvenation is a billion dollar industry.  It started in physicians offices with systems that cost $100,000 or more.  Different procedures are performed with lasers, Intense Pulse Light systems, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), laser diodes or other light sources.  

Skin Photorejuvenation procedures vary in complexity, pain/discomfort/comfort, costs and effect.

One way to separate photorejuvenation procedures is ablative versus non-ablative.  Ablative procedures vaporize tissue with equipment such as carbon dioxide lasers that literally vaporize the upper layer of skin.  Many experts consider CO2 laser skin resurfacing as the gold standard in skin photorejuvenation because it gives the most extreme and dramatic results.  BUT it hurts, it is expensive and the recovery time (called downtime during the period you do not want anyone to see you) is often weeks or months.  In non-ablative procedures, tissue below the skin’s surface is heated without injuring the top layer, hence, the wound is less visible.  Ideal applications include acne scars, sun spots or photodamage and early wrinkles.  If treated in a CO2 laser skin resurfacing procedure, these are vaporized along with other cells in the surrounding tissue.  In a non-ablative procedure, they are treated with a very short burst of laser light that removes them while leaving surrounding cells unharmed. 

Some procedures can be done with an Intense Pulsed Light system in which a special lamp is lit with a high, short duration electrical pulse to produce an intense burst of light.  The light is targeted toward optical filters that only let certain wavelengths pass.  In general, laser treatments for the same conditions are quicker and require less treatments but tissue damage is greater and there is more downtime while the skin recovers to a presentable appearance. With IPL, there are more treatment sessions but there is less discomfort and little or no downtime. 

Some times light is combined with other treatments or drugs to achieve a desired effect.  For example, low intensity light may be used after a microdermabrasion treatments or chemical peels  to soften the appearance.  Or different light colors may be combined with a drug called Levulin (aminolevulininc acid or ALA) to kill cancer cells or acne causing bacteria or to remove photoaging spots.

Most of the applications discussed above are “thermal” treatments because their effect is related to heat.  More recently, laser diode and LED systems, used in Europe and Asia for decades, have been become available in the US.  Some of these are used in doctor offices, medical spas and spas in general.  Their use is known by many names- low intensity light therapy, low level laser therapy, photobiostimulation, cold laser, soft laser, etc.  These procedures are “non-thermal” and you feel no heat.  Actually, you feel nothing.  Reneuvo feels Low Intensity Light Therapy, or LILT, is the most appropriate name since it includes laser diode, LEDs and other light sources.

What are the principles of Low Intensity Light Therapy (LILT)?

	There is a range of energy that works.  Too little has no effect as does too much.
	Several small applications are better than one big one.
	Effects tend to be cumulative.  The effect builds from one treatment to the next until an optimal level is reached.
	Effects vary from individual to individual.  Because light enhances or supplements normal body functions, effects vary in terms of speed and or extent based on the health of the related function.

What do doctors and spas treat with Low Intensity Light Therapy?  A list of applications performed in doctor offices or spas include:

	Improving fine lines and wrinkles
	Reducing redness of mild acne, zits, blemishes, cold sores, fever blisters
	Diminishing pore size
	Enhancing skin tone and moisture
	Softening and improving appearance of rosacea
	Reversing signs of sun damage- photoaging or photodamage
	Evening out pigmentation
	Reducing the effect of sunburn
	Finishing a microdermabrasion, chemical peel or laser skin photorejuvenation treatment

What do they say are the advantages of Low Intensity Light Therapy?

	Remarkably SAFE and EFFECTIVE for all skin types
	Fast and convenient
	Non-invasive
	No side effects
	No down time
	No aftercare needed

How safe is Low Intensity Light Therapy?
In millions of treatments around the world over the last thirty years, there has never been an adverse sign effect reported other than an occasional incident of skin dryness that goes away quickly.

Is Low Level Laser Therapy the same as Low Intensity Light Therapy?  Yes and No.  The original photobiostimulation work was done with lasers.  Both Russian and American researchers have shown that coherent light from lasers lose coherency immediately upon hitting tissue.  As a result, they feel coherent light works like the incoherent light from LEDs.  However, although doctors and supervised technicians can safely use high power lasers that deliver a 100 milliwatts per second, individuals cannot because the coherent light is hazardous to the eyes.  However, LED products can be more powerful than lasers without posing a risk to the eye because the light is incoherent and does not focus.  As a result, spas and individuals can use LED products SAFELY.  Also, LED products can deliver more energy than laser products that are legal for personal use.  As a results, treatment time is reduced dramatically. 

Does light have to be coherent to be effective?
No.  Intense Pulse Light systems used in expensive thermal treatment produce incoherent light.  Red and blue incoherent light has been used in Low Intensity Light Therapy to treat acne, sun damage, and many other applications with and without complementary drugs. 

When do you see visible results with Low Intensity Light Therapy?
Response time vary with the target and the individual.  In the case of fine lines, results may be apparent with just few treatments but they tend to maximize at four months and dissipate by the end of a year.

What do doctors and spas charge for Skin PhotoRejuvenation with LILT?
Prices range from $40 to $200 per session with a typical minimum of eight sessions required.

How often do you get applications in a spa?
Typically, you will get two to three applications a week for a month and then cut or taper back to one a month. 

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