LIGHTWAVE News & Events

Let’s face it, in our society stretch marks are not considered attractive and are rarely viewed as a sign of beauty. These frustrating marks are estimated to affect as many as 80% of all women at one point in their life or another, especially during pregnancy. However, they do not only appear on women. Men can also obtain stretch marks especially if they experience a rapid weight gain or loss, puberty growth spurt or a rapid increase in muscle mass. Men and women can get stretch marks on several areas of their bodies, including the stomach area, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms or lower back.

How are stretch marks formed?
When stretch marks first appear they are purple or reddish in color. However they often tend to fade with age and eventually turn silver or white in color. The areas of the skin affected can look empty and may be ridged or soft to touch. Stretch marks can vary in degree of severity and may be noticeable on some more than others.

These noticeable marks also known as striae, are actually linear scars that are often formed when the skin is rapidly stretched. During this process, the middle layers of the skin identified as the dermis is unable to produce enough collagen and elastin to support the stretching of the skin and dermal tearing occurs. Stretch marks seem to occur most often during pregnancy and puberty which is when the body also produces high amounts of cortisone. Many medical professionals believe that elevated levels of this hormone may also be an underlying cause of stretch marks. Regardless of the exact cause, stretch marks are formed due to damage in the dermis.

Five Ways to Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks:
There are many publicized treatment options when it comes to reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Below you will find the top five most common treatments associated with stretch mark reduction. In many cases, multiple treatment options are needed to achieve satisfactory results. Some of these treatments can be painful to undergo, are very expensive and are generally not covered by insurance. Other treatments may involve little or no pain but require the daily application of a lotion or cream based product over an extended period of time. Regardless of the treatment option, the amount of success of any stretch mark treatment is greatly influenced by the person’s skin tone, age, genetic make-up and cellular health. Therefore, no single treatment works for all individuals.

Cosmetic Surgery: Cosmetic surgery may be an option for some people. However the costs and risks associated with this type of treatment can be overwhelming. It generally requires anesthesia and there can be additional scarring if the procedure is not done correctly. Surgically removing stretch marks has downtime and significant pain associated with it. While it has been shown to be rather effective, there are other non-invasive means to treating stretch marks that may be a more practical option to consider first.

Laser Stretch Mark Removal: Laser removal of stretch marks is usually less invasive than cosmetic surgery and is generally less expensive. However, it can require several visits to the skin care professional to complete and the results are not guaranteed. It is still rather pricy in terms of treatment options and can cost anywhere from $500-$1500 per visit. This type of treatment does not require the same amount of downtime as surgery but the procedure can be very painful and often require 5-10 days recovery and healing time. Scarring can also occur if the procedure is not done correctly. Additionally, it has limitation in regards to skin type and the time of year in which it can be performed.

LED Light Therapy: This non-invasive option is rapidly becoming the treatment of choice for many individuals. Although it does require several visits to the skin care professional to complete and the results are not guaranteed, it much less expensive than surgery or laser treatments and has no pain, risks or side effects associated with it. It can be done year round and on all skin types. It can also be combined with microderm/peels and creams to further advance the healing of stretch marks and improve the outcome. Most light therapy treatments are performed in a series of 10-12, with 36 hours between treatments. The cost is usually nominal in comparison to the more aggressive treatment options.

Microdermabrasion/Peels: These treatments involve physically or chemically removing the top layer of skin known as the epidermis. While it seems somewhat effective on reducing the appearance newly formed scars, older scars are less likely to be effected by this type of treatment. Some of the downsides to this treatment are the amount of treatments and treatment time needed and the costs. Most microdermabrasion and peel treatments are performed in a series of 8-10 visits, with two weeks between appointments. A typical individual treatment will cost approximately $150 but can be less expensive if purchased in a series.

Stretch Mark Lotions and Creams: For many people who are concerned with getting stretch marks, this may be a good course of action for preventing them. However, this type of treatment is usually not effective for actually removing stretch marks after they have occurred unless they are used in conjunction with one of the other types of treatments mentioned. Creams and lotions generally have very little risk associated with them and the cost is usually nominal. Unfortunately, this type of treatment does require repeated applications. Most of the creams and lotions recommend application at least twice a day for an infinite period of time.

Over the past 6 years, the University of Texas in collaboration with PhotoKinetix Inc. has been studying an active transdermal method using pulsed visible light energy with various functional skincare ingredients. Many of the compounds they tested were previously thought to be difficult or impossible to deliver topically into normal skin because of chemical properties and/or molecular size. Among these were several well-known and beneficial skin care ingredients such as peptides, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. These compounds cannot passively penetrate the skin due to their chemical properties and are therefore only able to minimally affect the epidermis resulting in temporary limited effects that are not obvious.

After extensive research, PhotoKinetix has been able to prove that when certain molecules are stimulated with very specific pulses of narrow wavelength light, these compounds can be driven through the stratum corneum and into the epidermis and dermis without harming the skin or chemically altering the molecules. This new patented skincare treatment is marketed as Dermakinetics and is in the final stages of development. The initial anti-aging protocol for wrinkle reduction and collagen synthesis will be made available starting in 2011.

What does our standard 35 minute anti-aging Dermakinetic protocol consist of?

1. First a gentle cleansing of the epidermis using an enzymatic cleanser is recommended.

2. Then a potent serum containing high levels of key ingredients such as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are applied to the treatment area.

3. After allowing the serum to penetrate for 1-2 minutes, a soothing peptide based cream is applied to the skin.

4. Once both topical layers have been applied, the skin is then exposed to 30 minutes of specific pulsed LED light. As the light pulses ON, the molecules within the compound become excited resulting in a change of molecular shape. Once the light pulses OFF, the molecules go back to a resting state. The repeated ON and OFF stimulation of the molecules causes them to move into and through the tissue. In this application, the topically applied serum and cream ingredients move away from the light energy, through the stratum corneum and into the epidermis and dermis where they are deposited. The Dermakinetic process molecular shape change and movements do not chemically alter or damage the active ingredients or the skin. Therefore, the body can then utilize these active ingredients to functionally improve the quality and appearance of your clients’ skin.

Through the use of LIGHTWAVE’s new patented Dermakinetic setting along with our proprietary topical formulations, skin care professionals will now be able to deliver an entire range of peptides and functional skincare ingredients intradermally without damaging the skin or degrading the compounds. This means improved skin quality and lasting noticeable results your clients will appreciate. Currently, additional Dermakinetic topicals are being formulated and tested to target a variety of skin concerns including fat absorption, scar reduction, psoriasis and acne treatments.

As a LIGHTWAVE owner, it is important to understand that through an exclusive licensing agreement, LIGHTWAVE is the only light device in the country that can offer this patented Dermakinetic treatment option. Skin care facilities that utilize any other LED light device will not be able to perform this type of treatment without purchasing a LIGHTWAVE system containing the Dermakinetic setting. In order to start performing Dermakinetic treatments, existing LIGHWAVE customers will need to upgrade their system and have this protocol added. All new customers will have the option to purchase our LED light device with this setting included. If you would like additional information, please contact our corporate office at 1-866-999-6954.

Be sure and join us on September 26th  from 9:30am-3:30 pm for our next LED LIGHTWAVE Therapy and ABI Dermaceuticals Training Course hosted by Trio Skin Care. This one day course is divided into two sessions. The morning session will run from 9:30-12:30 and will focus on an in-depth understanding of how LED light therapy works and how to integrate this technology with other modalities such as microderm, CO2 laser, IPL, and chemical peels. The afternoon session is from 1:00-3:30 and will discuss what makes our light based skin care line unique, how it works to enhance light therapy and the benefits and advantages of integrating ABI into your practice. We will provide practical applications and hands-on demonstrations from 3:30-4:00, giving you an opportunity to try the equipment and skin care products first hand. We will also provide a continental breakfast and healthy lunch for those individuals who sign-up for both sessions. Reserve your spot today by contacting us at 1-866-999-6954 or info@mylightwave.com

Be sure and join us on October 17th from 9am-3:30 pm for our next LED LIGHTWAVE Therapy and ABI Dermaceuticals Training Course hosted by Phoenix Medical. This one day course is divided into two sessions. The morning session will run from 9-12:30 and will focus on an in-depth understanding of how LED light therapy works and how to integrate this technology with other modalities such as microderm, CO2 laser, IPL, and chemical peels. The afternoon session is from 1:00-3:30 and will discuss what makes our light based skin care line unique, how it works to enhance light therapy and the benefits and advantages of integrating ABI into your practice. We will provide practical applications and hands-on demonstrations from 3:30-4:00, giving you an opportunity to try the equipment and skin care products first hand. We will also provide a continental breakfast and healthy lunch for those individuals who sign-up for both sessions. Reserve your spot today by contacting us at 1-866-999-6954 or info@mylightwave.com

Booth # 1108

LED Light Therapy Class will be held on Sunday @1:30pm

Discover why LED light therapy has become one of the fastest growing procedures in the spa industry. We will explore what LED light therapy is and how it works. You will gain an understanding of how to use LED light therapy to maximize your treatment methods insuring noticeable results. Learn how to evaluate equipment and why some aspects and features are more important than others.

LIGHTWAVE and ABI Dermaceuticals have teamed up to bring you a potent medical grade hydrating gel formulated to significantly speed up the repair process achieved during light therapy and other light-based treatments. ABI’s Hydrating Recovery Gel is unsurpassed by any light-based topical in the industry and is geared toward producing noticeable, lasting results.

Recently, scientists out of Germany, Andrei P. Sommer and Dan Zhu have documented the positive effects the topical application of green tea can have on the skin when used in conjunction with light therapy. In order to understand why green tea is so powerful, it is first important to understand how light can impact the body.  Clients, who have previously been exposed to free radical damage from environmental factors prior to starting a light based treatment, can have elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) present in the body. An excess of ROS can significantly inhibit the cellular repair process and delay rejuvenation progression. LED, IPL, laser and other light based treatments help to significantly increase cellular growth and repair aged skin. On the other hand, as light speeds up the cellular metabolism process and cellular activity, ROS and waste are also produced as a byproduct.  In many cases, during light therapy, the body will create powerful internal antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) to alleviate any excess ROS and waste. However, if the ROS levels stay elevated and the body is unable to dispose of the excess, it can substantially delay the rejuvenation process.

Now that we have established that excess ROS can slow down the rejuvenation process, how do we prevent this from occurring? Sommer and Zhu have found that by utilizing the powerful ROS scavenger known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is extracted from green tea, we can lower the levels of ROS within the body. When applied daily in high concentrations, this antioxidant can reduce the presence of ROS and prolong the life of the cells responsible for transporting extracelluar metabolic waste from the basal membrane to the top layer of the epidermis, resulting in accelerated rejuvenation of the skin.¹

In order to ensure the fastest and best possible results from your light-based treatment, LIGHTWAVE and ABI have developed an aloe based gel that contains several medical grade ingredients including a high concentration of ECGC. This invaluable product will help to ensure your clients’ ROS level remains low and your results remain high. Login to our Professional Resource Center to see the complete ingredient listing. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

 Journal Reference: Sommer et al. Facial Rejuvenation in the Triangle of ROS. Crystal Growth & Design, 2009; 090818163352086 DOI: 10.1021/cg900688g

LIGHTWAVE has received 5 FDA clearances for its proprietary and unique multi-wavelength LED Lightwave therapy device. The LIGHTWAVE DELUXE series utilizes a revolutionary light therapy combination of Red light therapy, Blue light therapy and Infrared light therapy…..more here:  http://www.mylightwave.com/in-the-media/

Be sure and join us on March 7th from 8:30am-4:30 pm for our next LED LIGHTWAVE Therapy and ABI Dermaceuticals Training Course hosted by Phoenix Medical. This one day course is divided into two sessions. The morning session will run from 8:30-12:30 and will focus on an in-depth understanding of how LED light therapy works and how to integrate this technology with other modalities such as microderm, CO2 laser, IPL, and chemical peels. The afternoon session is from 12:30-4:30 and will discuss what makes our light based skin care line unique, how it works to enhance light therapy and the benefits and advantages of integrating ABI into your practice. We will provide practical applications and hands-on demonstrations from 3:30-4:30, giving you an opportunity to try the equipment and skin care products first hand. We will also provide a continental breakfast and healthy lunch for those individuals who sign-up for both sessions. Reserve your spot today by contacting us at 1-866-999-6954 or info@mylightwave.com.

SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE. Be sure and join us on January 9th from 9am-3:30 pm for our next LED LIGHTWAVE Therapy and ABI Dermaceuticals Training Course hosted by Phoenix Medical. This one day course is divided into two sessions. The morning session will run from 9-12 and will focus on an in-depth understanding of how LED light therapy works and how to integrate this technology with other modalities such as microderm, CO2 laser, IPL, and chemical peels. The afternoon session is from 12:30-3:30 and will discuss what makes our light based skin care line unique, how it works to enhance light therapy and the benefits and advantages of integrating ABI into your practice. We will provide practical applications and hands-on demonstrations from 3:30-4:30, giving you an opportunity to try the equipment and skin care products first hand. We will also provide a continental breakfast and healthy lunch for those individuals who sign-up for both sessions. Reserve your spot today by contacting us at 1-866-999-6954 or info@mylightwave.com.

Be sure to join us on December 7th from 9am-4pm for our next LED Light Therapy Training Course where you can learn the latest cutting-edge techniques and innovative applications for light therapy. This will again be a one day course and will be hosted by MEDX Aesthetics in Malvern,PA. This class will include valuable information about using your light therapy device with other aesthetic product and procedures such as peels, IPL, CO2 and microderm. If you are interested in using light therapy,currently use light therapy or missed our last class then you wont want to miss it.