Red light therapy is a relatively safe, non-invasive, and painless treatment. RLT has been shown to increase skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and even help with hair loss and inflammation.
And naturally, with the fuss around RLT, the RLT home devices have made quite the buzz in recent years.
If you decide to use RLT at home, there are various devices, from RLT panels to face-led masks and handheld therapy devices, to use from the comforts of your home while reaping all the benefits.
But how to use red light therapy at home? That’s one thing left to find out.
Source: int.rougecare.ca
About Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy, even known as LED light therapy or RLT is a relatively new method of treatment that’s shown to possibly heal scars, improve the appearance of breakouts and stimulate collagen production.
It works in tandem with other products, which may reduce redness and smooth fine lines and even help make your morning look more luminous for years.
LED treatment is typically part of a facial, working alongside other products and treatments used during the treatment. LED wavelengths help ingredients penetrate deeper into the dermis for a more effective regimen.
There are tons of LED lights, from blue to yellow to green. The one we’re focusing on today is red light therapy, which reveals bodily tissues to red and near-infrared light between 660 nm and 890 nm with either low-level lasers or red LED lights to boost collagen and possibly enhance fine lines, and wrinkles and support healing wounds.
Red light therapy may lead to clearer, smoother skin. A study found that patients who received red light treatments twice a week for 30 sessions possibly improved their complexion and collagen density, the protein fibers responsible for supporting the body’s tissues.
High-quality treatments and devices
Every LED treatment is best done by professionals, with gratitude to their professional-grade devices and extensive training. But some great at-home options are also available for those looking for a more consistent and reasonable routine.
If you want to experience LED light therapy at home, we advise purchasing only from respected skincare brands and companies, as other mysterious brands may be a scam.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
RLT is a form of phototherapy used for many years to treat skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Red light can penetrate deeper into human tissue than any other wavelength of visible light, so it may help stimulate the growth processes in cells by encouraging them to divide more quickly.
The production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that make skin supple and soft, may increase, thus reducing the damage caused by aging.
Red light therapy may help skin cells regenerate faster, making it a useful treatment for many skin problems, from psoriasis to acne. It’s easy and safe, with great results!
Home use advantages
Because you can use your red-light therapy device at home, it is much more affordable than regular dermatologist appointments. Imagine, rather than spending hundreds of dollars and time making regular trips to the dermatologist’s office, you could stay home and treat your acne from the comfort of your couch.
Red LED light therapy can be used with other skincare products that possibly promise to reverse the effects of aging and fight wrinkles and fine lines.
It may help your skin’s natural renewal process, allowing products to be absorbed more quickly and effectively than they would otherwise. Stopping the need for a harsh skin routine will save time and money.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work
Treatments are cumulative, so results don’t happen overnight. It can take time and multiple sessions to see improvements from at-home devices, especially compared to medical-grade equipment used in dermatologist offices.
However, even at-home treatments can be effective if you consistently use the right device. First, look for a device that produces light within the wavelength range of 600-900 nanometers. Also, ensure it’s easy to use since this will help with treatment consistency.
How to Use Red Light Therapy at Home
To experience the advantages of red light therapy, you need to use it consistently. Implementing RTL home devices into a routine, such as yoga or meditation, is an easy way to reap the rewards.
Eyes
When using the near-infrared mode, you should wear protective eyewear. It would be best to take general precautions when using any light therapy product.
When you first use a red light device, we recommend that you do not position it directly into your eyes. Instead, try using the product in a brightly lit room so your eyes can adjust to its beam, or as we pointed out wear protective eyewear.
Double-check any medications
You should check with your doctor if you are taking any medication before beginning facial treatments since some medicines may make your skin more sensitive to light.
Resume your regular beauty routine.
While using red light therapy, it’s important to continue cleansing and moisturizing (especially if you’re trying to treat acne or blackheads). Make sure the products you use don’t clog your pores, and remember that red light doesn’t replace good skincare but only enhances it.
Clothes
To get the best results from RLT, you must expose your skin directly to red and near-infrared light. Clothes prevent this from happening, so any garments covering a part of your body being treated must be removed before treatment starts.
Difference Between Red Light and Infrared Light
Light therapy treatments use visible light in blue, yellow, amber, red, and light invisible to the human eye light, such as infrared. Infrared light is the wavelength of light that comes after red, longer-wavelength radiation.
Red light has a shorter wavelength than infrared, so if we consider measurements, red light has a wavelength of 600 to 750 nanometers, whereas infrared light has longer lengths (750 to 880 nm).
So, why is infrared light so beneficial? The longer wavelength of IR means that it penetrates deeper into the skin and may be used for everything, from treating signs of aging to possibly helping connective tissue healing and toenail fungus.
While infrared light can stab deeper into the skin than red light, that doesn’t necessarily make infrared better. Different wavelengths produce different biological effects, so choosing the best type of light depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
Red light therapy is your best bet if you want to reduce the signs of aging possibly. On the other hand, if muscle healing is more important to you than any anti-aging benefits RLT may provide, it’s recommended that you seek a professional infrared treatment.
Is It Safe to Do Red Light Therapy at Home
Red light therapy appears safe and is not associated with any side effects when directed, but it should only be used short-term. This treatment is less harsh than some topical skin treatments.
Unlike UV light, which causes cancer and might damage your skin, RLT uses red light therapy to possibly treat conditions without causing further damage.
However, if products are misused, perhaps used too often or not according to directions, your skin or eyes (if not protected) could be harmed. The long-term safety of red light therapy machines is unknown; scientists have only recently studied them in depth.
Your safest choice is to see a dermatologist or a qualified, experienced cosmetic therapist. A dermatologist can ensure your skin situation is what you think it is and discusses the values of using red light therapy at home and different treatment options.
Side Effects of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is generally safe. Many experts agree it may effectively treat aging skin conditions, including photoaging. The fantastic thing about red light therapy is that it’s noninvasive and doesn’t cause downtime or damage to your skin.
Side effects are minimal and may include flushed skin, warmth, a burning sensation after your treatment, and mild stinging. Yet, red light therapy may not be your best treatment if you have a situation needing more aggressive treatments or another type of laser treatment.
The red light laser is an FDA-approved treatment for stretch marks, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. NIH researched red light therapy and its safety amongst different skin types. It may help if you ideally aimed for a single session for actinic keratosis treatment, but the more severe cases will need more than one.
A patient should anticipate being under the light for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the light source. It’s reasonable to prepare for a series of three to four sessions.
While not all over-the-counter devices are created equal, choosing one that won’t harm your skin is essential. Even if you’re prone to hyperpigmentation, you might want to talk to your dermatologist for help choosing a home device.
How Often Can You Use Red Light Therapy
An actinic keratosis treatment usually starts with a single appointment and should take about 20-30 minutes of treatment time. The patient will normally be under the lights for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the light source. There are no set guidelines for acne treatments, but multiple sessions are probably needed to treat acne effectively.
Photorejuvenation is the most common treatment that combines redness treatment and collagen production. Dermatologist says that since in-office devices have higher power outputs, they’d suggest going in for red light treatment a minimum of once a month, preferably every other week.
For example, if you’re going to do your treatment at home by utilizing a facemask, they say you could likely use that three to five times per week or what the manufacturer recommends.
You can even opt for a combination of in-office and home treatments to get the most noticeable results. As mentioned above, since any differences you might encounter will be temporary, maintaining a standard treatment plan is the key to keeping the desired results.
Be cautious
We all want to look our best, and with red light therapy, you have the ultimate device for possibly achieving healthy-looking skin. However, with any modality, read the instructions. Don’t get overeager, you won’t get better results if you use RLT more than recommended.
Redness lasting longer than one day or using red light therapy too frequently could result in unwanted negative possibilities. For example, redness stays longer than one day, blistering, burns, decrease in collagen, growth in wrinkles, tanning or darkening of the skin that may take several months or longer to fix, and different side effects or complications.
Conclusion
While research has shown that RLT may treat some skin conditions, there’s little consensus about its benefits. You may find it a useful addition to your skincare routine, but you should check with a dermatologist before making any treatment decisions. When trying something new, always consult your doctor or dermatologist.
It is possible to purchase red light devices online, or if you want to know how to use red light therapy at home, it’s best to get a doctor’s opinion on any symptoms before trying self-treatment.
RLT isn’t FDA-approved for most conditions or protected by insurance corporations. So, when looking for ways how to use red light therapy at home, always seek medical advice before starting and if you are experiencing pain, itchiness, or slow healing of a skin condition such as psoriasis, eczema, or scleroderma.
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.