Infrared radiation is increasingly and uncritically used for cosmetic and wellness purposes, despite the poorly understood biologic effects of such treatments on humans. In the present study, we investigated the effects of infrared radiation on collagen and elastin production in dermal fibroblasts, as well as the clinical and histopathologic effects of infrared radiation on photo-aged facial skin lesions. In order to determine the effects of infrared radiation on collagen and elastin production, dermal fibroblasts were exposed to infrared radiation for varying lengths of time and collagen and elastin contents were subsequently determined. Additionally, 20 patients with mild to moderate facial wrinkles and hyperpigmented lesions received daily treatments of far infrared radiation (900 to 1000micronm) for six-months. During the treatment, patients and a medical observer conducted independent photographic and clinical evaluations every 4 weeks, and skin biopsies were obtained for histological analysis at baseline and one month post-treatment. We found that the content of collagen and elastin produced by the fibroblasts increased after infrared radiation, and that this increase was proportional to the duration of irradiation exposure. Following 6 months of treatment, all patients reported good (51-75%) improvements in skin texture and roughness. Additionally, patients noted fair (25-50%) improvement in color tone of the skin; however, improvements in hyperpigmented lesions were not observed. Objective medical evaluation of the patients indicated that roughness and laxity were fairly improved, but there was no significant improvement in hyperpigmented lesions. Histological examination failed to reveal any differences as well. These results suggest that infrared radiation may have beneficial effects on skin texture and wrinkles by increasing collagen and elastin contents from the stimulated fibroblasts. Therefore, skin treatment with infrared radiation may be an effective and safe non-ablative remodeling method, and may also be useful in the treatment of photo-aged skin.
Time Factors ; Skin Pigmentation/*radiation effects ; *Skin Aging ; Skin/*radiation effects ; Middle Aged ; *Light ; *Infrared Rays ; Humans ; Fibroblasts/metabolism ; Female ; Elastin/metabolism ; Collagen/metabolism ; Biopsy ; Adult

Photoaging is clinical character by dyspigmentations, telangiectacia, and wrinkles. Therefore, the assessment of therapeutic effects of photoaging depends on the management results of these three lesions. This article introduces the effect of laser and light-based therapies on photoaging.
Humans ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; Pigmentation Disorders ; radiotherapy ; Skin Aging ; radiation effects ; Telangiectasis ; radiotherapy ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and influential factors for 308 nm excimer laser in the treatment of stable vitiligo patients.
 METHODS: A total of 207 stable vitiligo patients with 1 763 patches were treated with 308 nm excimer laser. Open-label study was carried out to investigate the efficacy and safety regarding the treatment with 308 nm excimer laser, and to compare the response under different conditions including gender, age, duration, lesion location, and hair color.
 RESULTS: After treatment, 560 (31.8%) patches achieved 100% repigmentation, 650 (36.9%) lesions showed 75%-99% repigmentation, 189(10.7%) showed 50%-75% repigmentation, 231(13.1%) showed 25%-49% repigmentation, 108(6.1%) showed 1%-24% repigmentation, 25(1.4%) displayed no response. The rates of total excellent response (50%-100% repigmentation) in underage patients was 86.9%, much higher than that in adult patients (P<0.001). Total excellent response rates was 90.6% in disease duration <2 years, and 40.7% in disease duration ≥2 years. Lesions on the faciocervical region responded better than trunk and limbs, showing 95.4%, 70.3%, and 41.7% total excellent response, respectively. Patients with poliosis showed 54.9% in total excellent response rate, much lower than 84.5% in patients without poliosis(P<0.001). No significant response differences in gender were found.
 CONCLUSION 308 nm excimer laser is effective and safe in treatment of vitiligo. Aging, disease duration, lesion location, and hair color in lesion may be the influential factors for 308 nm excimer laser in treatment of vitiligo patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Extremities ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Face ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Female ; Hair Color ; Humans ; Lasers, Excimer ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Skin Pigmentation ; radiation effects ; Torso ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitiligo ; therapy