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For some, the advent of the cold season equates to cozy weather where hot drinks, soft, warm sweaters, and winter activities become the creature comforts of your week. For others, though, it also signals a season of battling dry, irritated skin that feels tight, flaky, and uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, cold air combined with lower humidity and indoor heating can disrupt the delicate balance of the skin barrier. Under harsh conditions, this outermost layer, which is responsible for keeping moisture in and irritants out, can weaken. The good news is that aside from topical creams, there is an emerging solution that can help with this issue: red light therapy at home.
Discover how this unique treatment can help restore your skin barrier health in cold climates with our team at ROJO Light Therapy US.
Composed of lipids, proteins, and corneocytes (dead skin cells), the skin barrier is a “brick-and-mortar” system that keeps you alive. It defends you against pollutants, allergens, and pathogens while keeping the water in your body intact.
When exposed to cold, dry air, the lipid matrix within this barrier is disrupted, leading to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This results in dehydration, heightened sensitivity, and an increased risk of inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis or eczema.
Most minor winter damage to the skin goes away on its own; however, some conditions might take a long time, especially depending on your skin type. For those who have more extensive damage that reaches beneath the skin’s surface, it’s important to find a treatment that also penetrates deeply - and that’s exactly where red light therapy excels.
The red and near-infrared light of red light therapy devices penetrate the skin’s layers to repair and rejuvenate the skin barrier at a cellular level. Here’s a closer look at how it works.
Keratinocytes are some of the most important cells in the outermost layer of the skin that help form the skin barrier. They produce structural proteins like keratin and contribute to the lipid layer’s organization.
Red light therapy benefits these cells through its ability to stimulate mitochondrial activity. When the light wavelengths from the treatment reach the mitochondria of the cell, it triggers the photoreceptors responsible for its production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or its source of fuel. This energy boost accelerates the repair and replacement of damaged cells in the skin barrier.
Fibroblasts are specialized cells responsible for the production of collagen and elastin, two key proteins essential in building the skin’s strength and elasticity. Additionally, these proteins also support the skin barrier’s structure.
When red light therapy light wavelengths reach the dermal layer, they stimulate the synthesis of growth factors like transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). These growth factors increase collagen and elastin production, creating a more resilient epidermis foundation by supplementing the elasticity of its surface against stressors.
Cold climates often result in micro-cracks within the skin barrier, which serve as entry points for irritants and allergens. With red light therapy, however, the healing process can be expedited.
Through the treatment’s ability to stimulate an increase in ATP production, cells around the affected area have the necessary resources for healing and rejuvenation at its maximal function by facilitating the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes to these damaged areas. These cells are crucial for managing inflammation responses and aiding in wound closure. Last but not least, the treatment also stimulates the release of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which protect skin cells from stress and promote tissue repair.
When your skin is better able to retain moisture, you have a greater chance to prevent skin damage from the cold. Red light therapy at home helps improve the moisture-retention capacity of your skin through several functions.
First, through increased collagen and elastin production, the skin’s structural integrity improves, helping the skin retain water better. Second, through the improvement of microcirculation, the treatment ensures essential nutrients and hydration are delivered to the skin's upper layers.
Last but not least, the increased ATP production mechanism of red light therapy helps maintain aquaporin activity. These are the proteins responsible for ensuring optimal water movement between skin layers, preventing dehydration, and maintaining suppleness.
By addressing the skin barrier’s structural, cellular, and biochemical needs, red light therapy provides a well-rounded solution for maintaining skin health in cold climates. The best part is that it doesn’t just treat symptoms; it helps restore the skin’s overall ability to protect itself, ensuring enhanced resilience against cold damage.
If you’re interested in incorporating red light therapy into your wellness routine, explore our range of red light therapy devices at ROJO Light Therapy US. Our advanced devices are designed to deliver clinically proven red light wavelengths, ensuring you get the treatment’s full benefits. Contact us today for more questions or inquiries.
