WHAT WAVELENGTHS OF LIGHT ARE THE BEST FOR PHOTOBIOMODULATION (PBM)?
Much research has been done to investigate how melanin, blood, fat, and water absorb light, and this has led researchers to define a window or range of wavelengths through which light can penetrate biological tissue. This window is referred to as the optical or therapeutic window. 8 The main components in the tissue that absorb light are: melanin, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, fat, and water. Melanin absorbs light strongly in the lower wavelengths, so dark skin will absorb more light, especially the wavelengths from 500 nm to 800 nm. Wavelengths longer than 1200 nm are readily absorbed by water. 8 Lasers with these longer wavelengths are typically used in ablative procedures such as surgery or skin resurfacing. Current understanding of photobiomodulation is that light in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1000 nm is capable of penetrating the skin and surface tissue and reaching the muscle below. Figure 1 below shows the dominance of melanin absorption compared to hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, water and fat. Generally, red light (600 nm to 700 nm) can be used to treat the conditions near the surface of the skin, but light in the 800 nm to 1000 nm is needed to reach deeper tissue structures. The unit to measure wavelength is nanometer (nm) Current understanding of photobiomodulation is that light in the wavelength range of 800nm to 1000nm is capable of penetrating the skin and tissue surface reaching the muscle below. Lightforce Therapy Lasers utilise both 810 and 980nm wavelengths. Our Influence Technology takes into account the patient’s unique absorption characteristics and specific clinical condition to help provide the most effective treatment.
Figure 1
Linear plot of Absorption Coefficient vs. Wavelength. Data for the absorption coefficients were obtained from Oregon Medical Laser Center, http://omlc.org.
Lightforce Therapy Lasers utilise both 810 and 980 nm wavelengths due to their ability to be preferentially absorbed by musculoskeletal and neural tissues. Our Influence® Technology takes into account the patient’s unique absorption characteristics and specific clinical condition to help provide the most effective treatment. Patient specifications such as condition, body type, and skin type are taken into account. The in-depth protocol settings provide recommended parameters on treatment heads and power levels to aid in clinician confidence and reduced learning time. Not all therapy lasers approach dosing the same way, make sure you ask about how light absorption is being optimised before you invest in a therapy laser.
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