Ancient tribes used sunlight to possibly improve their health. Nowadays, light treatments continue to be used for that purpose. They are quite popular and are considered a natural way to treat certain health conditions, like bad sleep, weight loss, skin care, etc.
Red light is the most popular laser therapy of this type. However, we created this article because of a widespread misconception about its safety. So, is red light therapy bad for you?
For that matter, please read our article and learn all about this popular technique. You can also discover its possible advantages and how to prepare and protect your skin before treating it.
Let’s get started!
Is Red Light Therapy Bad for You?
Red light therapy might produce a biochemical effect on your body’s cells. It might help strengthen the mitochondria. The mitochondria are responsible for creating the energy your body needs to function properly.
When the cells have more energy, they can rejuvenate themselves and quickly repair any damage. So shortly explained, red light therapy might improve the function of the cells so that they can be more efficient in improving some health conditions.
Red light therapy may be a safe process and is not bad for your overall health. This is because, unlike intense pulse light, red light emits low light wavelengths. Therefore, the chances of red light therapy causing damage to the skin surface are extremely low.
Regarding its side effects, it’s rare to experience them. However, if they happen, you may experience irritation or inflammation, but they last for a short period after the treatment.
So, now that you know red light therapy is not bad for you, continue to read and learn what health conditions may be improved by this type of treatment. Plus, discover how you can best prepare before red light therapy.
Possible treatments
Red light therapy is one of the most popular treatments for skin conditions. Since it might stimulate the cells to rejuvenate themselves, red light therapy might be an ideal treatment for reducing wrinkles and improving acne, scars, stretch marks, wounds, kidney stones, etc.
In addition, red light therapy might tighten the skin and promote collagen production. Besides collagen, RTL might also stimulate the production of melatonin. So, it might be useful in reducing the throbbing pain of migraines and headaches.
Moreover, red light therapy might help you feel more relaxed and less stressed, improve the quality of your sleep and successfully fight insomnia. Additionally, it might improve blood circulation and help you lose weight.
Next, red light therapy might also be used for dental problems. This refers to possibly reducing teeth sensitivity. Also, this treatment might stimulate the regrowth of the gum tissues and the dental bones. Some dental offices offer it as a teeth whitening service with RLT too.
Lastly, it might also promote hair growth. The treatment might be a good solution for patients suffering from alopecia or having side effects from chemotherapy.
Source: kaiyanmedical.com
How to Prepare for Red Light Therapy
Before doing red light therapy, you should consider the area of your body you are treating. If you use red light therapy to possibly improve facial texture and similar, you must remove any makeup or contact lenses before the treatment.
Furthermore, you must remove your clothes before RLT. This is because clothes can prevent red light from penetrating the skin. Therefore, if you are wearing clothes, you may not experience the proper improvement of your health problems.
Next, using so-called red light lotions is optional. There is no scientific proof that they may give you better results if you apply them before the treatment. However, if you still want to use them, you can go for anti-inflammatory lotions that are rich in antioxidants.
If you are doing red light therapy at home, you should do the treatment in the morning. So, you can apply any cream or makeup after using the red light device. Regarding at-home devices, you can use a neck pillow, red light slippers, panels, lamps, etc.
You Might Be Interested: Should I Use a Serum With Red Light Therapy?
Expectations
After learning if red light therapy is bad for you and how to prepare, knowing what you can expect during the treatment is good. So, you must know that doctors usually use red light lasers or lamps during red light therapy.
There are meager chances of feeling pain. Instead, you may feel the heat on your skin once the red light device warms up. Most of the treatment is usually super relaxing and calming. Also, it’s generally safe and non-invasive.
However, some patients may find the red light a bit too bright for them. In that case, consult with your doctor or dermatologist to give you glasses for protection. Consider that if you have had any past eye problems, you must consult with an eye specialist before doing RTL.
Equally important to mention is that some health conditions may require a small dosage of anesthetic solution. For example, if you are treating spider veins, the doctor will inject anesthesia to numb the area around the veins before using the red light laser.
Source: higherdose.com
Related: Are All Red Light Therapy the Same?
Conclusion
Well, this is the end of this article. So, is red light therapy bad for you? We hope we have provided enough information on whether RLT is bad for you.
Red light therapy is the most popular light treatment. So, it’s a generally safe process in which doctors use red light devices to treat different health conditions. You can get this service at some cosmetic salons as well. Also, you can do it at home, primarily for relaxation purposes.
If you are considering doing such a treatment but are worried about your skin’s safety, then you should learn how the process works. This way, you can eliminate any unnecessary worries.
All the mentioned possible health benefits of red light therapy in this article may not apply to all. If you are considering doing red light therapy, you must consult your doctor first.
Hello! I’m Nicky Rodgers.
Almost a decade ago, I got excited about the idea of employing alternative methods like red light therapy to create a healthier life.
To learn more about it, I did my Certified Light Therapist course from Photonic Therapy Institute and started looking into the intricacies of how light therapy influences several bodily processes. Before I knew it, my interest had become an obsession which resulted in this extensive blog.
Here, I offer countless well-researched articles to help you understand the benefits and uses of light therapy. I hope this information gives you a head start in your wellness journey.