As the light energy is directed onto the skin, most of the charged photons are absorbed within the first few millimeters. This superficial layer is covered with a network of nerve endings. As harmonically charged photons are delivered into the epidermis, the nerve endings create a powerful physiological effect, inducing local metabolic changes and the creation of secondary messengers. These secondary messengers are molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface that target molecules on the cell membrane and within the nucleus of the cell to modify physiological and genetic information. Secondary messengers also serve to greatly amplify the strength of the photonic-botanical signals, causing important beneficial changes in the biochemical activities within the cell. Thus, creating the possibility of a profound local and systematic effect. This is how photonic-botanical harmonic energy quickly creates systemic effects also known as the "ignition of healing response".