Is the skin on your arms, neck, legs, and other body areas getting thin and wrinkled? You may have crepey skin.Crepey skin resembles crepe paper — which is the thin paper that appears as if it was wadded up and then flattened back out. While that wrinkled, crumple appearance looks great for party streamers, it may not feel so attractive on your skin.This condition is challenging but can be addressed with red light therapy, improving crepey skin for a more youthful appearance.
Causes of Crepey Skin
Taking good care of your skin is essential to maintain its elasticity. The proteins collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping your skin firm and flexible. During your youth, your body produces these proteins in abundance, which helps to keep your skin healthy and resilient. At this stage, your skin can also repair itself from any damage.However, as you age, your skin loses collagen and elastin. This means your skin does not bounce back after stretching. Your skin becomes lax and less elastic, so it sags; the sagging skin on your face can create wrinkles, while sagging skin elsewhere can lead to crepey skin. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds is a common cause of crepey skin. Over time, UV radiation exposure makes the skin less elastic, laxer, and unable to completely heal damage.Other causes of crepey skin include:
- Significant fluctuations in weight
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- Lack of moisture in your skin
- Taking certain medications, such as prednisone
- Stress — which increases the stress hormone cortisol, which can disrupt skin repair
- Exposure to heat
- Poor diet
- Pollution
- Sleep deprivationCommon in older adults, crepey skin can also develop in younger people who suffer early skin damage.
Can Red Light Therapy Help Crepey Skin?
Crepey skin can be difficult to treat, as the outcome of treatment depends largely on the cause of crepey skin, its severity, and where it occurs in your body. Many people turn to creams and lotions, which can provide temporary relief, but find that their crepey skin returns as soon as they stop treatment. Others consider dermal fillers that require injecting plumping substances under the surface of your skin.If you are looking for a longer-lasting treatment for crepey skin that does not involve needles, red light therapy may be for you.
How does Red Light Therapy Work?
Light travels in waves. Scientists measure the lengths of these waves, or wavelengths, in nanometers (nm).The human eye perceives various wavelengths as different colors. Red has the longest wavelength at around 700 nm, and violet has the shortest at 400 nm.At various wavelengths, light has different effects on the human body. For example, certain wavelengths can enter the body through the skin to stimulate changes in the cells below. Red light therapy can increase the production of energy cells use to stay healthy, stimulate cellular healing, and even reduce oxidative stress.
What are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Crepey Skin?
Red light therapy provides a wide variety of benefits for crepey skin. The treatment helps give skin cells the energy they need to function well and maintain your skin’s youthful appearance. Red light therapy can also reduce oxidative stress that leads to premature aging. You can even combine red light therapy with other treatments, such as creams and lotions, to optimize treatment for crepey skin.Fortunately, there are very few risks associated with red light therapy, just be sure that a professional performs the treatment. This non-invasive treatment is safe and effective and does not cause burning or pain. Early treatment helps improve skin tone, and repeated treatments help maintain results.Depending on the size of the area affected by crepey skin, you may benefit from a full-body red light therapy treatment or a targeted approach. A full-body red light therapy treatment involves lying on a bed that uses red or near-infrared light; it may be best if you have large areas of crepey skin. A targeted approach uses a laser device, panel, or a portable handheld device to deliver the red light.
Who would be Considered a Good Candidate for Using Red Light Therapy to Treat Crepey Skin?
Almost everyone with crepey skin is a good candidate for red light therapy because it is safe, effective, non-invasive, and pain-free. Red light therapy may also be combined with other types of treatments for crepey skin. This therapy can also help turn back the hands of time by boosting skin tone, tightening skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and making skin smoother.For more information on how red light therapy can improve the appearance of crepey skin, consult with a red light therapy provider.
