As red light therapy has become increasingly popular in beauty centers, people started wondering whether it may provide sunburn relief. Although this therapy is relatively new and more research needs to be done, there are some promising results of the benefits of red light therapy on the skin. So, does red light therapy help sunburn?
When dealing with a bad sunburn, the worst symptom is inflammation which can be hard to eliminate. If the inflammation levels rise rapidly in the affected area, there can be potentially long-term sun damage.
There are a few essential factors you need to take into consideration before trying red light therapy to treat sunburn. Keep reading to gain the necessary knowledge in order to make the most out of the red light therapy and possibly see quick results.
Does Red Light Therapy Help Sunburn?
With the many possible benefits of red light therapy, people started trying it to treat many health conditions and concerns. Although the red light may not be dangerous and has no major side effects, you still need to be cautious.
If you administer near red infrared or red light near the skin with a sunburn, there might be numerous benefits, and you might notice a significant change in your skin regarding the signs of aging caused by the sun. If used correctly and regularly, red light therapy may aid in calming down sunburned skin when nothing else is helping.
So, to answer the question more precisely, we will have to look in more detail at how this therapy works and how it can actually help sunburn.
What do studies say?
In the studies that researched whether red light helps sunburn, people needed to use this therapy in the morning or evening, and then the results were noted by taking pictures of the skin and writing down notes.
After a certain amount of time had passed, the majority of people who were part of the study reported positive effects of the red light therapy, meaning the unpleasant symptoms of sunburn got reduced, and their skin felt rejuvenated and nicer looking.
With this evidence in mind, in combination with the numerous studies done on this topic, it is safe to say that red light therapy may help sunburned skin and decrease the intensity of the symptoms caused by it.
Can Red Light Therapy Decrease Inflammation?
As inflammation is the number one unpleasant and rather painful symptom of sunburn, we need to look for something that would particularly affect this symptom. That’s when the red light therapy comes into action.
Thanks to the power of this light, when it comes in contact with sunburned skin, it may penetrate the deepest layers of skin, such as the soft tissue, and even reach the muscles and bones.
When the red light penetrates the skin’s cells, and after numerous chemical processes, this light may activate the mitochondria, also known as the cell’s powerhouse, and potentially increases ATP production.
As ATP is a natural energy your body produces and is the main energy source for every cell, increasing its levels comes with many possible benefits. For instance, increased ATP levels in the cells mean that the cell is better working and has a higher quality. Also, the increased ATP levels cause an increase in nitric oxide, which is crucial for better blood flow and circulation.
When these two chemicals are combined together, they may significantly help lower the inflammation in the affected area, thanks to their power to improve the blood flow and, as a result, reduce the inflammation.
How to Prepare Your Sunburned Skin for Red Light Therapy
As sunburned skin is quite sensitive to work with, you will need to be twice more cautious of what you put on it and how you treat it before and after the red light therapy sessions.
If you want to achieve the best results possible, you will need to take care of your skin as best as you can because the inflammation that takes place if left untreated can cause some more serious damage in the long run.
Therefore, before starting with the red light therapy, in the morning or evening, you will first need to cleanse your skin well with a mild well-formulated cleanser free of harsh chemicals that might make your skin burn even more.
Next, after you make sure that your skin is all clean, you need to pat dry it with a clean towel and ensure that it is completely dry. Then, if you feel like it, you can go over your skin with an antioxidant toner that will make the pH level of your skin normal again.
After doing all of this, you can finally proceed with the red light therapy, and after you are done with it, wait for ten to 15 minutes before you apply moisturizer.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe for Skin With Sunburn?
If used correctly, yes. Red light therapy may have a significant effect and reduce the inflammation and the overall discomfort of sunburned skin.
As this light may promote better blood flow, you should see results in only a few sessions, and what’s more important, without any side effects.
Thanks to the many studies done on the safety of red light therapy, it may be safe to conclude that as long as you use this therapy correctly and with the guidance of a red light therapy professional, there is nothing to worry about.
Conclusion
Does red light therapy help sunburn? In this article, you could have discovered everything regarding that.
Additionally, we have provided essential knowledge regarding red light therapy and sunburn so that the next time you get inflammation from sunburn, you will immediately know what to do and decrease the inflammation as fast as possible by using red light therapy.
Although we know it can be painful and unpleasant, being patient and consistent is the key, so do not skip not even one red light therapy session.
Remember, before using any red light therapy, make sure to consult with 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.