title: Effects of low-power light therapy on wound healing: LASER x LED.
abstract: Several studies demonstrate the benefits of low-power light therapy on wound healing. However, the use of LED as a therapeutic resource remains controversial. There are questions regarding the equality or not of biological effects promoted by LED and LASER. One objective of this review was to determine the biological effects that support the use of LED on wound healing. Another objective was to identify LED´s parameters for the treatment of wounds. The biological effects and parameters of LED will be compared to those of LASER. Literature was obtained from online databases such as Medline, PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo. The search was restricted to studies published in English and Portuguese from 1992 to 2012. Sixty-eight studies in vitro and in animals were analyzed. LED and LASER promote similar biological effects, such as decrease of inflammatory cells, increased fibroblast proliferation, stimulation of angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and increased synthesis of collagen. The irradiation parameters are also similar between LED and LASER. The biological effects are dependent on irradiation parameters, mainly wavelength and dose. This review elucidates the importance of defining parameters for the use of light devices.
authors: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Maria Emília de Abreu
authors: ME
authors: Chaves
authors: Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Angélica Rodrigues de
authors: AR
authors: Araújo
authors: Serviço de Dermatologia, Hospital da Polícia Militar, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: André Costa Cruz
authors: AC
authors: Piancastelli
authors: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Marcos
authors: M
authors: Pinotti
mesh_terms: D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*