A pearl is shiny, we all can buy that. What we can’t tell is whether it’s genuine or not, so that we leave to the experts. In the case of Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) its origins for pain use are over 40 years old (Jang, Sun, & Jeong, 2019), but the most recent systematic reviews on pain have less that strong support for its use. Recent meta-analyses showed mixed reviews, that LLLT is effective for short duration chronic low back pain (Glazov, Yelland, & Emery, 2016), but not for functional improvements (Huang, et.al., 2015). The problem with these reviews is that for the sake of homogeneity, the conclusion is based on only 15 and 7 studies, respectively. A similarly small but hopeful review on 18 trials of LLLT for musculoskeletal disorders warrants it an effective treatment for pain (Clijsen, Brunner, Barbero, Clarys, & Taeymans, 2017). 
Celluma PRO® is a low-level light therapy (LLLT) device that emits pulsed light in the blue region (465nm) for acne, red region (640 nm) for anti-aging, and near infrared (NIR) region (880nm) for pain. This low energy light’s effect on human tissue can be compared to photosynthesis in plants, wherein photons are absorbed by cells, triggering biological changes. Photons are absorbed by particular cells called chromophores (i.e., cytochrome c, flavins) in the mitochondria and cell membrane which lead to the synthesis of ATP. ATP is used to synthesize RNA, DNA, proteins, enzymes, and other biological materials that, according to Enweeka (2004), “help cell proliferation and repair, modulation of prostaglandins, alteration of nerve conduction velocity and somatosensory evoked potential and hyperemia of tissue resulting in tissue repair and pain control” (p.7).
For these reasons, Celluma PRO® is promoted as an effective treatment for acne, wrinkles and pain, which is why at Yinfinite Wellness we can integrate it in our acupuncture sessions and why it is a key component of our LUX Facial Treatments.
Resources
Barolet, D., Duplay, P., Jacomy, H. and Auclair, M. (2010). Importance of pulsing illumination parameters in low-level-light therapy. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 15(4), p.048005. Retrieved from https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/Journal-of-Biomedical-Optics/volume-15/issue-04/048005/Importance-of-pulsing-illumination-parameters-in-low-level-light-therapy/10.1117/1.3477186.full?SSO=1&tab=ArticleLinkCited [Accessed 25 Jan. 2020].
Clijsen, R., Brunner, A., Barbero, A, Clarys, P., Taeymans, J. (2017). Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; 53(4):603-10. Retrieved from https://www.minervamedica.it/en/getfreepdf/qLTMUG64rZHw%252BvSR6Z0O7njlvwFmr22L2b3E5dOY3i%252FzOHDCi4BuoNtwEmhWPTiXIaiEN16LKTrcf16vt8rCfg%253D%253D/R33Y2017N04A0603.pdf
Cotler, H.B., Chow, R.T., Hamblin, M.R., Carroll, J. (2015). The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) For Musculoskeletal Pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol, 2(5): 00068. DOI: 10.15406/mojor.2015.02.00068
Enwemeka, C. (2004). Therapeutic Light. Rehab Management, [online] 17(1), pp.20-5. Available at: http://balesphotonics.com/articles/therapeuticlight.pdf [Accessed 26 Jan. 2020].
Fulop, A., Dhimmer, S., Deluca, J., Johanson, D., Lenz, R., Patel, K., Douris, P. and Enwemeka, C. (2010). A Meta-analysis of the Efficacy of Laser Phototherapy on Pain Relief. The Clinical Journal of Pain, p.1. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8e2f/67e6834b76b976ae3a63542b30886457758d.pdf [Accessed 26 Jan. 2020].
Glazov, G., Yelland, M., & Emery, J. (2016). Low-level laser therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Acupuncture in medicine: journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, 34(5), 328–341. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-011036
Huang, Z., Ma, J., Chen, J., Shen, B., Pei, F., & Kraus, V. B. (2015). The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis research & therapy, 17, 360. doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0882-0
Jang, I., Sun, S., & Jeong, M. (2019). Early history of laser acupuncture: who used it first? Integrative medicine research, 8(2), 129–130. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2019.04.009. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6541759/. [Accessed 26 Jan. 2020].
Li, Z., Wang, Y., Zhang, H., Ma, X., Tian, P. and Huang, Y. (2016). Effectiveness of low-level laser on carpal tunnel syndrome. Medicine, 95(31), p.e4424. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=low+level+light+therapy+CTS
Yousefi-Nooraie, R., Schonstein, E., Heidari, K., Rashidian, A., Pennick, V., Akbari-Kamrani, M., Irani, S., Shakiba, B., Mortaz Hejri, S., Jonaidi, A. and Mortaz-Hedjri, S. (2008). Low level laser therapy for nonspecific low-back pain [Abstract]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18425909
