Deep penetrating light (DPL) therapy uses infrared or invisible X-ray light to diminish blemishes, wounds, and the signs of aging on the skin. It is an alternative to other skin-care procedures, such as peels, laser treatments or surgery. Deep penetrating light therapy can also relieve pain and ease joint and muscle aches.
This type of therapy is based on cell regeneration research conducted by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The infrared DPL lights used in this treatment reach deep into the skin and raise the temperature of the skin cells without harming the patient. This heat usually stimulates the production of elastin and collagen, proteins that help replace dead skin tissue with new cells. This therapy also improves blood circulation by allowing the blood stream to carry more oxygen and helpful nutrients to the skin.
Many people use deep penetrating light therapy for cosmetic purposes. It can have several benefits, such as giving the face a smoother, younger appearance by shrinking the pores and reducing natural wrinkles. It may also help people with a history of acne by removing brown and red skin discolorations that may be left over from past break-outs. DPL therapy is also sometimes used to refresh a patient’s complexion and give him or her lasting skin resilience.
Another benefit of deep penetrating light therapy is its ability to relieve various kinds of pain. For some patients, the infrared light used in DPL can block pain-transmitting chemicals and increase the production of endorphins, which are the body's natural pain-relievers. Many people who play strenuous sports or suffer pain due to advanced age use this form of therapy to relieve muscle spasms, minor sprains, and joint and muscle aches.
The popularity of DPL can also be linked to its lower cost and higher efficiency than other treatment methods. Surgeries are often very expensive and can lead to other problems, while chemical peels applied to the face may sometimes carry negative side-effects. DPL therapy, however, can be used on different parts of the body and carries few risks.
Patients can receive deep penetrating light therapy at clinics, in doctor's offices or other healthcare centers, but some choose to use the devices at home. DPL devices are generally easy to operate. Most have small plastic panels that emit the light and can be applied to the patient’s problematic body part. Healing sessions usually last only a few minutes and can be done while the patient is resting.