Are you looking for the health benefits of red light therapy? Over the past ten years, red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level light therapy (LLLT), has gained growing popularity due to its extensive spectrum of curative capabilities. But how does it function, and what are the red light therapy benefits?
Does treatment with red light prove beneficial? Red light therapy is an excellent healing treatment tested and researched extensively by many.
You should give this a go if you struggle with wrinkled and sagging skin, acne, and irritation. Scroll down to discover the answers!
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy, often known as RLT, is a safe, painless type of treatment that has the potential to speed up the healing process in several sections of the body, including the skin, muscular tissue, and other tissues.
It is believed that red light treatment works by affecting the “power plant” in the cells of your body, which are called mitochondria. RLT can pass through the epidermis, the superficial layer of the skin, and reach the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin.
Other cells can do their tasks more effectively when they have access to more energy. Photons of red light are taken in by our cells and transformed into usable forms of energy. This energy can then drive the development of collagen, elastin, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which results in the creation of more energy that your cells can utilize.
To achieve therapeutic effects, both medical and aesthetic, red light therapy makes use of a certain natural wavelength of light. It is a light-emitting diode (LED) that simultaneously generates infrared light and heat.
Pros and Cons of Red Light Therapy
| Pros | Cons |
| Red light therapy encourages energetic and healthy cells | Some individuals may experience photosensitivity issues |
| Chronic inflammation may be decreased by using red light therapy | Results may take some time |
| Circulation may be improved by using red light therapy | Safe for only short-term use |
| Red light encourages healthy skin | |
| Wound healing is accelerated by red light therapy | |
| Wound healing is accelerated by red light therapy | |
| Red light therapy may aid in the recovery of muscles | |
| Sleep may be improved |
Red Light Therapy Benefits
May solve skin problems
Red light therapy is becoming an increasingly popular choice for treating various skin conditions, including scars, acne, and wrinkles.
This may be because of light has influence on the formation of collagen and blood circulation in skin tissue. The following are some of the potential benefits associated with red light therapy:
Anti-aging
The use of a red light treatment may improve the look of skin that has been damaged or aged due to exposure to sunlight. It may speed up the formation of cells that then release collagen proteins. RLT helps to lift and tighten sagging skin, which in turn may reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Acne
Acne is frequently accompanied by considerable irritation in the affected area. The use of a red light treatment may help to soothe the skin, reduce redness, and lessen the amount of oil produced and microorganisms that are present on the surface.
It may help with hair growth
Some evidence suggests that red light therapy may be an effective treatment for hair loss. It accomplishes this by increasing the amount of blood that flows through the scalp, which in turn might stimulate the metabolism of the hair follicles, leading to an increase in the amount of hair that is produced.
It may help heal wounds faster
The use of red light therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of chronic wounds. This method may also promote the creation of new skin and assist in forming new blood vessel networks.
It may help with bruises
Direct trauma or damaged capillaries both contribute to the transfer of blood to the skin tissues that result in a bruise. A bruise develops its characteristic blue coloration because blood pooling under the skin cannot escape the body.
Red light therapy might speed up the healing process by stimulating the production of new blood vessels and accelerating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Consequently, bruises can benefit from red light treatment.
May alleviate dental pain
Dental experts may utilize red light treatment to alleviate a range of oral conditions. The therapy may alleviate symptoms such as pain and inflammation, and it may also heal ulcers.
In addition to this, it assists in maintaining a healthy balance of oral bacteria.
May reduce inflammation
The wavelengths of red light stimulate cells, causing them to increase their synthesis of antioxidants and decrease their levels of inflammatory markers.
Soft laser treatment may boost circulation without the use of pharmaceuticals or invasive procedures, which might help alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory disorders.
Even while red light may not destroy the germs that cause acne, it might help lessen the inflammation that acne causes. Both red and infrared light can penetratingly mend the skin from the inside out by penetrating the skin on distinct levels.
Acne has a destructive effect on the tissues of the skin; however, this helps restore those tissues. This results in the acne clearing up more quickly and prevent further tissue damage, which may have resulted in pitted acne scars.
May help with muscle repair
The post-workout muscular pain is something that a good number of us are quite familiar with. In a normal situation, it takes the body of a person around two to three days to recover from the discomfort of a workout, but with red light treatment, the recovery process may take place much more quickly.
It is possible to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness by exposing yourself to red light either before or after exercising (DOMS). Research suggests that red light treatment may also have a beneficial effect on overall levels of energy.
Because of these features, many elite athletes utilize red light therapy treatments to keep up with their intense training regimens and recover from muscle sprains more quickly.
May relieve pain
It has been demonstrated via research that red light treatment may help in the management and reduction of pain. Inflammation is a common factor in the development of painful conditions.
The ability of our cells to rejuvenate can be enhanced by using light therapy, which also may help reduce inflammation and associated discomfort.
According to the findings of certain studies, red light therapy might also be an effective method for treating persistent nerve pain that can often be a side effect of certain surgical procedures or accidents.
May improve sleep
Lack of sleep is a frequent ailment that can result in serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
It is well known that exposure to several wavelengths of blue light inhibits the generation of melatonin, sometimes known as the “sleep hormone,” which causes disturbed sleeping patterns.
The red light, on the other hand, has the opposite effect. Because of its ability to boost melatonin synthesis, it is an effective medication for those who have insomnia, have jobs that need them to work night shifts, or are just searching for a solution to improve the quality of their sleep.
Positively affects the cognitive functioning
The use of red light therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on cognitive functioning. Recent research has demonstrated that mild cases of brain damage can benefit from regular exposure to red light, which can improve cognitive performance.
Not even close, right? In research published in 2018, red light therapy was tested on mice, and the results suggested that it may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
May improve blood flow
The use of red light therapy may increase cell energy, which in turn triggers physiological consequences such as increased blood flow.
This leads to an improvement in overall blood circulation. When there is a greater volume of blood flowing through the body, it is in a better position to both heal and function.
May enhance joint health
Red light therapy has been discovered to enhance joint health by lowering the amount of discomfort experienced as a result of joint movement and increasing the amount of time that passes between subsequent treatments.
May improve the immune system
Nitric oxide is a component of a strong immune system that can be produced as a result of red light therapy’s ability to stimulate its production.
In addition, nitric oxide has an important function in the maintenance of healthy arterial walls.
It may help arteries relax, lower oxidative stress, keep blood vessels from forming platelet clumps, and control blood pressure.
In addition to this, cells receive an increase in energy from red light therapy exposure, which enables them to perform their normal functions.
Side Effects of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is thought to be risk-free and doesn’t cause any inconvenience. However, the use of RLT devices has been linked to complaints of burns and blistering in some people.
Some persons sustained burns as a result of falling asleep with the device still in place, while others suffered burns as a result of damaged wires or corrosion on the device.
There is also a possibility that RLT can harm your eyes. Although standard lasers are more damaging to the eyes than red light treatment, it is nonetheless recommended that patients wear protective eyewear.
In addition, many people report experiencing headaches and eye strain as a result of the light, even though these symptoms do not appear to point to any kind of long-term damage.
Any form of treatment in which the patient is subjected to ultraviolet light is not entirely devoid of the associated dangers.
Who Shouldn’t Use Red Light Therapy?
Possibly, light-sensitive individuals are not good candidates for light treatment. We strongly suggest you do a patch test with try your light treatment device before using it more consistently. This will allow you to determine whether or not your skin is sensitive to the device.
Safety Measures
Eye illnesses that affect the retina are one of the most important reasons why red light treatment should not be used.
People who have a history of skin cancer or systemic lupus erythematosus are also strongly discouraged from undergoing this form of therapy. The use of specialized technical equipment and personnel with adequate training are prerequisites for red light therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for red light therapy to work?
Because these therapies are cumulative, you shouldn’t anticipate seeing benefits right away. It takes time and numerous treatments in order to notice improvements, which is especially true when using at-home devices, which are often not quite as intense as medical-grade devices that are used in dermatological clinics.
Is red light treatment something that may be done at home?
You may try out red light therapy on your own at home, even for the more common uses, including anti-aging and treating acne.
Due to the absence of ultraviolet light in its spectrum, red light therapy is regarded as a reasonably risk-free treatment option. For your peace of mind, the FDA has also authorized some red light treatment equipment that may be used at home.
What is the cost per red light therapy session?
The cost of a single session of red light treatment can range anywhere from $25 to more than $200. The costs are influenced both by the service’s geographical location and the particular operation that is being performed.
Keep in mind that treatments will likely need to be performed on a schedule somewhere around once every three weeks and might go on for several months.
Conclusion
This is it. We came to the end of today’s article.
In short, we can conclude that red light therapy is a treatment that makes use of low-wavelength red light in order to enhance the look of a person’s skin purportedly.
Some of the red light therapy benefits are lowering the appearance of acne scars, wrinkles, and redness. Additionally, it is said to be effective in treating a variety of other medical disorders.
Now go and buy the right red light device for you. But before purchasing the device, we strongly advise that you consult a medical expert about any symptoms you may be experiencing.
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.