Use of infrared as a complementary treatment approach in medicine and aesthetic medicine

Abstract

Infrared radiation has wavelengths between 780nm and 1000μm. It is well absorbed by living organisms and is perceived as heat. The mechanisms of action of infrared rays on humans are still little known, however their effects on living tissues are well known, particularly useful in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, in the reduction of wound healing times, in weight loss, in non-surgical body remodelling, in photo-rejuvenation, in muscle recovery, in improving sleep quality, in relaxation and in many other applications in medicine, non-invasive aesthetic medicine, beauty, fitness and wellness. This brief communication aims to provide an overview of the use of infrared and related devices in these fields of application, grouping them according to (1) medical applications, (2) non-invasive aesthetic medicine applications and beauty treatments and (3) for home wellness use.

Skin Laxity Treatment Using Near Infra-Red: Clinical Results in 30 Women

“…While chronic infrared exposure contributes to photo aging [10], the literature suggests a single dose of infrared for up to 48 hours can have a beneficial effect [13]. In one interesting study, a single NIR exposure to human skin was found to increase type I procollagen expression, whereas repeated NIR exposures three times a week for four weeks decreased type I procollagen levels [14].…”

The Biological Effectiveness and Medical Significance of Far Infrared Radiation (FIR)

“…FIR Sauna therapy is quiet promising for chronic pain relief, chronic fatigue syndrome, and weight loss due to neurohormonal cell response (Biro et al, 2003;Masuda et al, 2005a;Masuda et al, 2005b). There are unlimited FIR cosmetic products are available; such as FIR blankets, soft lasers, FIR lamps, FIR caps, and FIR helmets (Cristiano, 2019;Suwandee & Yupapin, 2014). All these tools had medicinal benefits on human cells, both localized and systemic depending upon the tool used.…”

“…All these tools had medicinal benefits on human cells, both localized and systemic depending upon the tool used. Removal of fat promotes hair growth and treating alopecia are some of its aesthetic benefits (Cristiano, 2019). The aesthetic FIR devices are also available in markets for home use such as FIR hair brushes to prevent hair loss and hair shining.…”

“…FIR pens used for pain relief on certain points such as the neck or back. There are unlimited beauty products are available which used FIR radiations, to make their product more beneficial for humans (Cristiano, 2019;Suwandee & Yupapin, 2014).…”

“…An extensive literature based on the animal and human trials reported IR as a wound healing, preconditioning the skin, photo prevention, relief body tension/pain, exhaustion of rheumatoid arthritis, positive therapeutic effect on inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, cancer management by potentiating photodynamic therapy, and help to reduce optic, sensory, Autonomic activities, and psychological complaints. FIR is also beneficial to vitalize heart and mesenchymal stem cell functions and as a supportive management approach in aesthetic medicine (Yamashita, 2012;Tsai & Hamblin, 2017;Vatansever & Hamblin, 2012;Barolet et al, 2016;Cristiano, 2019;Yang et al, 2017 clothing are other promising approaches to improve the functional abilities of the human body (Basuk, 2018). Recent studies reported additional emerging benefits of FIR, the deployment of FIR costumes in sports for better performance outcomes, and the inactivity of airborne microbial DNA Li et al, 2020).…”