Ingrown hairs can be painful and a nuisance. They typically affect people with thick, curly hair and can become infected if left untreated. But, how should they be treated, and can they be prevented?
Preventing ingrown hairs can often be managed at home, though there are times when a visit to the doctor may be appropriate.
This article explores ways to treat and prevent ingrown hairs from reducing discomfort for people who experience them.
An ingrown hair is hair that has curled back into the skin instead of growing out of the skin's surface. It is most common in people with thick, coarse, or curly hair types. Medically an ingrown hair is known as "pseudofolliculitis barbae."
An ingrown hair can occur anywhere on the body. Ingrown hairs commonly occur in areas where the skin is shaved or subject to a lot of friction, including:
Signs and symptoms of ingrown hair are:
The site of the ingrown hair will form into a raised bump on the skin that may begin to look like a pimple. The spot will often turn reddish, become irritated and sensitive, and fill with pus.
Anything that does not let the hair grow normally can cause ingrown hairs, and it is usually for one of the following reasons:
The most common cause of ingrown hairs is an improper shaving technique. Cutting hair very close to the skin creates a very sharp tip on the end of each of the strands.
Most of these hairs will grow back out without a problem. However, some hairs can curl back on themselves and grow into the skin. When this happens, the body responds to the hair as if it were an intruder, causing inflammation, the typical symptom of ingrown hair.
Shaving is not the only way ingrown hairs occur. Waxing and plucking hairs out also commonly cause ingrown hairs.
Plucked hair grows back through the follicle. As such, it may not make it to the skin's surface before turning and clogging the follicle.
It is also possible for hair follicles to become clogged by:
When this happens, the hair in the follicle can become stuck or grow sideways into the skin, causing ingrown hair. In some cases, the hair can be seen growing under the skin's surface.
Friction caused by wearing tight clothing for extended periods can also cause ingrown hairs.
The friction caused by body movement throughout the day can also continuously rub hairs against the skin. This causes the hair to turn around and push back into the follicle.
Red light therapy penetrates through the skin, stimulating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cells). ATP is responsible for storing and transferring energy in the body’s cells. Thus, damaged or old cells are repaired when stimulated, and new cells are created. The body receives important nutrients for healing and rejuvenating by reducing oxidative stress and increasing circulation.
Red light therapy alleviates the inflammation produced by ingrown hairs by increasing blood flow to the damaged tissues, and it’s been found in numerous clinical trials to increase the body’s antioxidant defenses.
Dr. Michael Hamblin of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital is one of the world’s leading photomedicine researchers. He’s studied light therapy at length and concluded that one of its most reproducible effects is
“an overall reduction in inflammation, which is particularly important for skin related disorders”.
Blue light, particularly in the wavelength range of 405–470 nm, has attracted increasing attention due to its intrinsic antimicrobial effect without the addition of exogenous photosensitizers. In addition, it is commonly accepted that blue light is much less detrimental to mammalian cells than ultraviolet irradiation, which is another light-based antimicrobial approach being investigated.
“Bacterial resistance to drugs poses a major healthcare problem,”
Says co-editor in chief Chukuka S. Enwemeka, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Blue light helps to clean and kill bacteria around the ingrown hair. With this, the skin can recover faster and help the healing process.
Luckily, Kaiyan Medical produces devices for that can help you with all the conditions related to ingrown hairs. We’ve worked hard to provide solutions for both patients and healthcare practitioners, catering to various needs. Whether you’re looking to private label your own light therapy devices or for home use, contact our team, as we would love to help you through your light therapy journey.
Light can be a powerful skincare tool, whether it’s an LED facial or light therapy for all skin. Light therapy can also seem a little mysterious if you’ve never done it before because light doesn’t interact with the skin in the same obvious way as, say, serum or moisturizer.
Here, we’re breaking down light therapy and melasma, explaining what they are, how they work, and experts’ advice for adding them to your skincare routine.
Melasma is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy because it is sometimes triggered by an increase in pregnant women's hormones. But while the condition may be common among pregnant women, it isn’t limited to them.
“It’s not only associated with pregnancy but can affect women at all stages of life,”
Says Dr. Shadi Kourosh, director of the Pigmentary Disorder and Multi-Ethnic Skin Clinic at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. And it may last for many years.
“Women who develop melasma in their teens or 20s or 30s may see it stay around for decades,”
Says Dr. Barbara Gilchrest, senior lecturer on dermatology at Harvard Medical School.
Melasma is a common skin problem. The condition causes dark, discolored patches on your skin.
It’s also called chloasma, or the “mask of pregnancy,” when it occurs in pregnant women. The condition is much more common in women than men, though men can get it too. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 90 percent of people who develop melasma are women.
It isn’t obvious what causes melasma. Darker-skinned individuals are more at risk than those with fair skin. Estrogen and progesterone sensitivity are also associated with the condition. This means birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all trigger melasma. Stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be causes of melasma.
Additionally, sun exposure can cause melasma because ultraviolet rays affect the cells that control pigment (melanocytes).
A visual exam of the affected area is often enough to diagnose melasma. To rule out specific causes, your healthcare professional might also perform some tests.
One testing technique is a Wood’s lamp examination. This is a special kind of light that’s held up to your skin. It allows your healthcare professional to check for bacterial and fungal infections and determine how many skin layers the melasma affects. To check for any serious skin conditions, they might also perform a biopsy. This involves removing a small piece of the affected skin for testing.
Light therapy for melasma treatment is best suited for patients with refractory melasma who failed with topical treatment or a series of chemical peels. Topical therapy takes at least three months or longer to see skin lightening, and those patients who are interested in a more rapid response could consider light therapy.
When a patient wishes for an accelerated pace of improvement, analogous to chemical peels, these modalities accelerate melanin pathways’ removal. Still, they do not target the melanin production itself.
One key point of patient counseling before laser- and light-based treatment is that these therapies can speed up removing melasma-related hyperpigmentation, but they are not cures for melasma.
Arora P, Sarkar R, Garg VK, Arya L. Lasers to treat melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. J Cutan Aesthet Surg.
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Lee HM, Haw S, Kim JK, et al. Split-face study using a 1,927-nm thulium fiber fractional laser to treat photoaging and melasma in Asian skin. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(6):879–888.
Kauvar AN. The evolution of melasma therapy: targeting melanosomes using low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers. Semin Cutan Med Surg.
Weiss RA, McDaniel DH, Geronemus RG, Weiss MA. A clinical trial of a novel non-thermal LED array for reversal of photoaging: clinical, histologic, and surface profilometric results. Lasers Surg Med. 2005;36(2):85–91.
Since our skin is the largest organ of the human body, it is always susceptible to attack. While some people experience the odd pimple now and then, around 84.5 million Americans - one in four - are affected by skin diseases."Skin condition" is an umbrella term and can include anything from acne to psoriasis to melanoma.
With many people living with a skin condition, the US healthcare system spends $75 million in medical, preventative and prescription, and non-prescription drug costs. Not to mention the skincare industry was worth $140.92 billion in 2020. In other words, whether it's medication, treatment, or specific skin cream, people are spending money trying to find ways to keep their skin looking flawless.
A common skin problem, melasma causes brown to gray-brown patches on the face. It can occur on the cheeks, forehead, chin, above the upper lip, and on the bridge or the nose. It can also be seen on other body parts that are exposed to the sun. While there are no symptoms connected to melasma; however, it can negatively affect a person's self-esteem as it can last for years.
Typically, melasma is treated via pharmacological methods, including hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and other topical medicines. Procedures such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion can also be used to reduce the appearance of melasma.
Yet, none of these options really tackle the issue. However, that was before the discovery of light therapy. Most people don't realize that you don't need to empty your wallet on expensive skincare or take medication to treat skin conditions. There is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological approach, and it uses the power of light.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy penetrates through the skin, stimulating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cells). ATP is responsible for storing and transferring energy in the body's cells. Thus, damaged or old cells are repaired when stimulated, and new cells are created. The body receives important nutrients for healing and rejuvenating by reducing oxidative stress and increasing circulation.
As a result, the body can naturally heal itself, improve the texture and appearance of the skin, and increase collagen production. Various studies have been done to research the efficacy of red light therapy on melasma. Celebrity facialist Georgia Louise Atelier uses non-invasive options to treat her celebrity clients. In an interview with W magazine, she recommends using a red light therapy mask "three times per week with green and red light" to treat melasma.
By incorporating red light therapy into your daily skincare routine, you can reduce the appearance of melasma, while increasing collagen production and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In other words, it's an all-in-one non-invasive skincare approach that everyone should use.
Luckily, Kaiyan Medical produces MDSAP-certified and FDA-approved light therapy products and devices for your own at-home treatment or even for your patients. We've worked hard to provide solutions for both patients and healthcare practitioners, catering to various needs. Whether you're looking to private label your own light therapy devices or for home use, contact our team, as we would love to help you through your light therapy journey.
As humans, we are made of energy and fueled by light. While nutrition and exercise play a role in our well-being and health, light plays a crucial role in us functioning optimally. New and groundbreaking research is unearthing a new understanding of how our cells function and the evidence points to the power of light.
Through technological advancements in science, it’s discovered that our bodies operate similar to a battery. Wavelengths of light give us power, while our overall health determines our ability to receive and maintain the energy from light. And this is where light therapy comes into the equation.
Science has proven that our bodies interact with specific wavelengths that benefit our bodies in various ways.
Red light therapy devices, such as light therapy masks, shine red and near-infrared light onto the skin, stimulating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the mitochondria. By stimulating ATP, damaged cells heal, and new cells are produced faster than normal. But we’ll talk more about that in-depth a little later.
Red light therapy comprises both red light and infrared wavelengths, penetrating through the skin’s layers, right into the cells. Red light wavelengths boost collagen and elastin and improve cell communication. It penetrates superficially and helps aid various skin conditions.
Near-infrared wavelengths stimulate healing, increase mitochondrial function, and improve blood flow and tissue oxygenation. Near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeply into the body.
At the core of your body’s healing capabilities are the mitochondria. The mitochondria play a vital role in your internal organs and tissue, including the liver, skin, heart, and muscles. It’s in charge of the body’s energy supply via ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
With both working together, they provide energy to our body and maintain the cell cycle and growth. This is why you’ll often hear the mitochondria referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell.”
Here's how the mitochondria is affected by red light:
Interestingly, our body weight is made of 70% water, with 99% of our bodies' molecules also made of water, making it a powerful component in red light therapy treatment.
Research by Prof Gerald Pollock of the University of Washington proved that water adjacent to a cell is structured water, also known as EZ water. This specific water forms a separation of charge, functioning in the body as positive and negative poles - similar to a battery.
While we’ve been talking about red light therapy, what does it actually mean? Typically, “red light therapy” refers to natural light treatments which deliver red and near-infrared wavelengths as natural sunlight using LEDs or cold lasers.
While you may think red light therapy includes all colors of light, it doesn’t. The term doesn’t include blue or white light, and it isn’t equivalent to full-spectrum light. Red light therapy doesn’t rely on heat, differentiating it from other light-based treatments such as infrared saunas and heat therapy.
Red light therapy is also known as RLT, photobiomodulation (PBM), phototherapy, LED therapy, LED light therapy, infrared therapy, low-level laser therapy, or low-level light therapy (LLLT).
As stated before, red light therapy works to heal the entire body and functions on multiple levels.
Red light therapy affects the body in multiple ways, including bodily systems:
Fascia
Fascia is the thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds virtually every organ, muscle, nerve fiber, blood vessel, and bone in place. While it performs as an internal structure for your body, the fascia also contains nerves, making it almost as sensitive as skin.
The fascia may look like a layer of tissue; however, it’s made up of interwoven layers of collagen and elastin fibers. The fascia is overlooked, yet over recent years, it has been the key to understanding how changes in one area of our body affect others. Red light therapy works to improve communication within the fascia network.
Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis connects the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions. Recent research discovered the importance of gut microbiota concerning these interactions.
Red light therapy can positively influence mood and neuropsychological issues by the following:
Immune System
Red and near-infrared light penetrate through the skin into the cells, which results in low-dose metabolic stress that strengthens the cells’ anti-inflammatory and natural defense systems. In turn, the body becomes resilient to infections.
Safe and low exposure to red light therapy improves the body’s response to external viruses and bacteria. Red light therapy can influence the immune response in the following ways:
Circulatory System
Red light therapy is scientifically proven to increase the micro-circulation of blood and support the circulatory system as a whole by stimulating the development of new capillaries which carry oxygen throughout the body.
Proper oxygen supply and flow are essential for the proliferation of cells, protein synthesis, tissue restoration, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis. In addition, circulation is also responsible for waste elimination, specifically degenerated cells.
Nervous System
The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, neurons, and neural support cells, which is your body’s command center. It controls your movements, automatic responses, and other body systems such as digestion and breathing.
Red light therapy affects the nervous system in the following ways:
For all forms of nerve damage, red light therapy offers non-pharmaceutical treatment options.
Stem Cells
Red light therapy shows impressive results regarding stem cell growth, maximizing the potential of stem cell implantation for various medical needs. Therefore, red light therapy may show positive results after surgery to stimulate stem cells which repair tissues and organs.
In studies, red light therapy has proven to stimulate mesenchymal stem cells in bone marrow, enhancing their ability to reach the brain. This research shows the possibilities of using red light therapy to heal degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.
It’s clear red light therapy provides multilevel treatment to the body, becoming a popular natural and holistic option for both professionals and consumers, but where did it come from?
Light therapy technology isn’t new; it’s been around for decades as NASA experimented with red light therapy during the 1980s and 1990s. Over the past 10-20 years, red light therapy reached a breakthrough in LED lighting technology, allowing the production of safe and affordable clinical and at-home devices.
In 2016, Kaiyan Medical became the first leading manufacturer of red light therapy of affordable FDA-approved and MDASAP-approved light therapy devices.
We mentioned red light therapy being a holistic treatment option, but what does that mean. Holistic medicine is a full-body approach to healthcare. By focusing on the body, mind, and soul, the body receives the full support and care it needs to function optimally.
Principles of Holistic Medicine
Holistic medicine is based on the following principles:
The purpose of treatment is to identify the underlying cause of the disease, rather than treating only the symptoms.
While there are endless benefits the body receives from red light therapy, here are the six main benefits.
Photobiomodulation, in other words, red light therapy, has proven effective against carpal tunnel syndrome, mucositis, neck pain, menstrual cramps, temporomandibular joint pain, and neuropathic pain from amputation. It also significantly reduces the pain of hypersensitivity while improving sensorimotor function.
These improvements come after anti-inflammatory cells populate the injured area, providing long-lasting pain relief. In addition, it’s also been shown to provide effective relief by affecting the following:
Red light therapy has proven to be highly effective in rapidly treating wounds from burns, scars, bedsores, ulcers, surgery incisions, and diabetic neuropathy.
NASA strongly supports this claim as this technology was used in treating wounds. Red and near-infrared light proves effective in all four phases of the wound-healing process:
These processes are regulated by various factors connected via nitric oxide (NO) signaling release, adjusted by light energy.
An issue the body encounters when trying to heal a wound is low oxygen flow, and red light increases the flow of oxygen, speeding up the natural healing process. By reducing inflammation and increasing oxygenation of the wounded area, blood vessels can form, rapidly repairing the area, lessening pain and scarring.
By reducing pain, red light therapy eliminates the reliant on pharmaceutical painkillers during the healing process.
The human body receives energy on the cellular level, maintaining communication between organs and ensuring disease resistance.
A strong immune system works to protect the body from harmful bacteria and viruses at all times. With red light therapy, the body receives a boost of support as it releases nitric oxide and melatonin, two components involved in DNA repair and antimicrobial.
This process is called hormesis. Red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate through the skin into the cells, causing mild metabolic stress, which stimulates cells to activate their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant response.
With the support of red light therapy, the body is better prepared to fight infections. Numerous studies have proven red light therapy to have the following effects on the immune system:
Inflammation in the body can be acute and topical (short-term, resulting from sprains, infections, and accidents) or chronic and general (long-term, caused by ongoing conditions).
Acute inflammation is a healthy bodily response; however, chronic and general inflammation can negatively impact long-term health.
As of today, the current treatment for inflammation is NSAID or steroid drugs, both having a detrimental effect on the healing process and long-term health. Red light therapy stimulates the body to activate its natural healing mechanism, reducing the health risks of long-term drug use.
Red light therapy decreases the number of inflammatory cells, increases fibroblast proliferation (cells that synthesize collagen and other matrix macromolecules), stimulates angiogenesis (creation of new blood vessels), and activates the body’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant response.
The following conditions are connected with chronic and acute inflammation, all proving promising results with red light therapy treatment:
Red light therapy is extremely popular in competitive sports and performance. It offers natural and non-pharmaceutical treatment, which applies to many areas of the body.
Aside from the overwhelming benefits on overall health, red light therapy encourages muscles growth and repair by stimulating the production of ATP, which aids in faster recovery and better performance.
Red light therapy used before training prepares and strengthens the body while aiding muscle recovery after training.
Here are the scientifically documented effects of red light therapy:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depressions, impacting 5% of Americans, specifically during the winter when there’s less natural sunlight. SAD is also known as seasonal depression or winter blues.
Many people treat SAD symptoms via bright white light treatment, mimicking the sun’s light daily. However, researchers recommend natural light treatment, like red light therapy, to help with light deficiency. Over recent years, physicians recommend red light therapy alongside psychotherapy and medication.
While many people are using red light therapy devices for at-home treatment, red light therapy systems are found in many clinical and professional settings:
Skincare Professionals: Red light therapy is a popular skincare treatment among Hollywood celebrities, including Kourtney Kardashian, Julia Roberts, and Emma Stone. Leading skincare professionals like dermatologists and aestheticians use red light therapy to help promote collagen production, reduce wrinkles, and treat skin conditions.
Health Practitioners: Health practitioners from all specialties are incorporating red light therapy into their practice. Dentists use it to reduce inflammation, physicians for mental health conditions, and oncologists for cancer side effects.
Natural Health Experts: Leading voices in the health and wellness industry such as Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, Ben Greenfield, and Dave Asprey strongly support the use of red light therapy. Paleo and Keto health experts like Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson, Luke Story, and Dr. Anthony Gustin also support red light therapy.
Sports Medicine Pros: The National Sports Association of Sports Medicine (NASM) adopted red light therapy to treat sports injuries. Top trainers and doctors, including Dr. Troy Van Biezen and Dr. Ara Suppiah, use red light therapy to heal their athletes.
Elite Pro Athletes: Professional athletes worldwide, including NFL stars like Patrick Peterson, UFC champion Anthony Pettis, and gold medal gymnast Sanne Weavers use red light therapy to enhance performance and quicken recovery.
Fitness & Training: World-renown fitness trainers, including Lacey Stone and Jorge Cruise, use red light therapy to enhance athletic performance and muscle recovery.
Supportive Cancer Care: The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) recommends the treatment of red light therapy for oral mucositis (OM), a common symptom of cancer treatment.
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If there’s one thing both women and men are trying to achieve, it’s turning back the hands of time. This explains why the anti-aging industry is projected to be worth $83.2 billion by 2027. With anti-aging on everyone’s mind, people are looking for the best ways to maintain their youthful glow and complexion.
That said, many people interested in investing in anti-aging products are looking for non-invasive options that won’t require six weeks of post-surgical recovery time or monthly injections. While invasive options are anti-aging solutions, light therapy is an overlooked and underrated anti-aging therapy treatment in the skincare industry.
Light therapy uses varying wavelengths of light, emitting them onto the skin. The light penetrates through the layers of the skin, stimulating cellular regeneration and heals damaged tissues. While highly noted for its effectiveness for collagen production and tissue repair, it’s also ideal for reducing damage from acne, and eliminating wrinkles, inflammation, and age spots.
While there are various light therapy devices on the market, some are standing out among the rest. Aduro's highly-rated 7+1 facial mask, eyewear, and handheld devices help combat skin imperfections and reduce aging signs.
Aduro's light therapy uses different color and color combinations to target various skin conditions. In the 7+1 facial mask, each color offers a different treatment:
Red: increases collagen production for fuller and younger looking skin.
Blue: eliminates acne-casuing bacteria and reduces the appearance of acne.
Green: balances the skin’s complexion.
Yellow: reduces redness from inflammation and rosacea.
Orange: revitalizes the skin and adds glow.
Cyan: calms and soothes irritated skin.
Purple: promotes cell rejuvenation.
Infrared: amplifies desired results.
Users can either opt for one specific color or a combination of colors to tackle their skin’s needs.
“I originally purchased it to calm down my acne problem. And I am not getting any younger so all other lights, including wrinkle reducer will be a great help for my skin. The mask isn't heavy to wear. You can wear it while you are meditating, doing sit-down exercises and or other stuff.”
-Sandra G., verified buyer
As most people have more than one skin condition they’d like to treat, light therapy provides an all-in-one treatment for your clients. The 7+1 facial mask is intended for professional use, and gives equal coverage to the entire face. However, for clients looking for spot treatment on specific areas, handheld and eyewear devices can provide targeted treatment to areas with redness, inflammation, and discomfort.
“I purchased this for a recent flare of roceacea I got from using too many ordinary acids on my skin. I stripped the skin barrier and ended up with redness and red spots. I use the green, orange and blue and violet colour each morning for 1 minute each and notice skin evenness and definite reduction in roceacea I also use it after microneedling and it calm the red down.”
- Sonia M., verified buyer
As more celebrities are turning to light therapy, people are becoming aware of its capabilities as a non-invasive treatment and are looking at light therapy as a solution to their skincare troubles.
For clients looking for a relaxing facial experience with the added benefits of reducing their skincare imperfections, light therapy is the best solution. Kayian Medical produces medical-grade laser light devices for the skincare industry. All Kayian light therapy devices are MDA-certified and FDA-approved, ensuring your clients' high quality and results. Keep them coming back with skincare therapy that works.
Dr. Claudia Aguirre which has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from USC and travels the world lecturing on a broad range of topics from neuroscience to skin care has been researching the power of the skin and its connection with the brain.
The skin is highly innervated and intricately connected to the brain and central nervous system, just as other sensory organs are. Dr. Claudia Aguirre is discovering that the skin has a lot of neuro potential, or neuroplasticity, that has gone unrecognized. For example, just as our eyes have receptors that transduce light photons into signals to the brain that we process as vision, we’re discovering that our skin also has light receptors. Although we don’t yet know how they work, we speculate that they might be signaling the brain to make systemic changes that affect the full nervous system. Similarly, olfactory receptors in the hair follicles, just as we do in the nose.
Another example is touch, for which our skin is the primary sense organ. Skin is also our largest organ, which gives us a clue as to how important touch is. Different receptors in the skin can tell us not only whether what we touch is hot or cold, rough or smooth. Skin can even sense the intention behind the touch. A gentle touch feels much different than an aggressive one. We can tell whether the person giving us a massage is paying attention or whether they’re distracted. Moreover, different kinds of touch elicit different biochemical and hormonal responses, which have systemic results. A hug or kiss stimulates the release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone, through the bloodstream, while a punch or shove will release adrenaline and cortisol. All of these capabilities are what we say by the hidden brain in the skin.
The skin is connected to the nervous system; it’s connected to the endocrine system. The skin is impacted by our emotional states and, conversely, our skin can impact how we feel about ourselves. Cultural stress and anxiety can trigger or aggravate many skin conditions—from acne to eczema to herpes, psoriasis, and rosacea. Conversely, a disfiguring skin condition can trigger stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Chronic, generalized anxiety can create chronic inflammation and exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions, such as the ones mentioned previously. Chronic stress can result in chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, poor sleep, and a whole cascade of effects resulting in a constant breakdown of tissues and organs, including the skin. There’s a whole new field of medicine being developed called psychodermatology, which is the study and treatment of the psychological component of skin conditions. Better understanding of the neuropotential of skin also opens the possibility of whole new avenues of treatment with light therapy for many of our chronic conditions.
In Kaiyan Medical we have understood that neuroscience should absolutely be part of the conversation about skincare and beauty because the brain and the skin are intimately connected. Skincare is important not only for the skin, but also the brain. That's why we keep developing light therapy devices for skin and brain. In Kaiyan we always recommend to listen for all the little signs that your skin tells you that you tend to ignore. You get a rash, and you brush it off: “Maybe it’s just dry out. Maybe I need to switch creams.” But if it occurs repeatedly, you need to look more closely and ask, “What could my skin be trying to tell me?” Are you repressing emotions? Is there a relationship issue you’re avoiding? Is there some other life circumstance that’s “gotten under your skin”? The body has a wisdom we should listen to.
Summer is here, but have you (or your patients) updated your skincare regime yet? Yes, that’s right, your winter routine isn’t going to work during the summer. While your skincare routine may have done the trick during the winter, it’s important to tweak it to adjust to the warm weather. We all know wearing SPF is a summer must, but what are the other tips to minimize sun damage and prevent breakouts? Let’s find out.
SPF is a must
We mentioned it before, but we have to mention it again. It’s the one don’t-leave-it-at-home item that should be carried with you everywhere you go. You have to wear sunscreen. It’s not a maybe; it’s a must. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher will protect all areas of exposed skin, including your face, hands, feet, lips, and ears. While this is the first tip on our list, remember that SPF is the last step of your skincare routine. Don’t forget it needs to be reapplied every couple of hours for maximum protection.
Avoid midday sun
While you want to make the most out of the summer, try your best to avoid the midday sun. We know that’s hard, but it’ll protect you from harsh UV rays. While it may be unrealistic to live in the shade for the entire summer, make sure to wear protective clothing like a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeve shirt. The more protection from the sun, the better.
Get the most out of red light therapy
With the summer heat comes sweat, clogged pores, and sun damage. However, that doesn’t mean you need to live with it. LED light therapy for skincare works wonders in preventing and recovering the skin from skin damage. Light therapy products for the face and other areas provide various colors of light that can aid in treating specific conditions such as acne caused by more sweating, as well as hyperpigmentation resulting from any sun spots.
Two words: lighten up
Yeah, that’s right! Think of it like this: would you wear a winter coat during the summer? No. So why would you apply heavy winter products on your face during the summer? Avoid heavy products like oils and stick to gentle foaming cleansers that are light yet hydrating.
Go dual-purpose
To help you lighten up your skincare routine, look for a combination moisturizer and sunscreen. Thick moisturizers will clog your pores, leading to acne and inflammation, while combination moisturizer/sunscreens are ideal for most skin types and will give you enough moisture and keep your skin clear and glowing. You can reapply your moisturizer along with your sunscreen for extra hydration.
Invest in a vitamin C serum
While vitamin C is generally a great year-round serum, it’s especially important during the summer. Why? Vitamin C works to prevent hyperpigmentation, reducing the appearance of fine lines and aiding collagen production. If you use vitamin C serum alongside regular red light therapy treatment, it’ll enhance collagen production while leaving your skin moisturized and fresh.
Use non comedogenic makeup
While you may have your favorite go-to cosmetic products, it’s time you took a closer look at the ingredients. Opt for non comedogenic cosmetics whenever possible. It means that the formula is without pore-clogging ingredients, ensuring that the makeup will not cause acne or inflammation. Powder sunscreen or oil-free cosmetics are typically non comedogenic products.
Quick showers are the best showers
Oh, we know that during the summer, you want nothing more than to sit in a tub of water, but it’s best to keep an eye on your showering time. Showering more than once per day, specifically in hot water, can dry the skin out and lead to inflammation and eczema. Save your skin (and help the planet!) by cutting down on shower time.
During the summer, you want to look and feel your best. Luckily, these tips will help you perfect your summer skincare routine and have you glowing throughout the season. For year-round skincare support, we offer the top light therapy products at Kaiyan that will help make your or your patients’ skin glow. Kaiyan’s light therapy products are for clinical or at-home use, using the power of light to shine from the inside out.
