The non-invasive anti-aging treatment field has seen much interest in red light therapy. Scientists found numerous treatments for this revolutionary technology rather than resorting to radical methods for eradicating and delaying the signs of aging.
Red light therapy is probably also something you’ve heard of if you’re interested in skincare.
Today’s portable LED devices make it simpler than ever to use red light therapy at home. The mechanisms underlying red light therapy, as well as what does red light therapy do, will be covered in this article.
With no further ado, let’s get started!
Source: gembared.com
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to treat various physical and aesthetic issues. To promote healing, it deeply penetrates the body deeply y’s cells with low-in red and near-infrared light. It doesn’t use heat, is painless, and is non-invasive.
In 1967, Endre Mester, a professor, and physician from Hungary, used red light therapy for the first time to examine how cancer cells respond to radiation.
This procedure is now used in hospitals, dental offices, spas, and homes to aid in tissue repair and reduce pain and inflammation.
There are several names for red light therapy, including:
- Photobiomodulation (PBM) or photobiomodulation therapy
- Low-level laser light therapy (LLLT)
- Low-power laser therapy (LPLT)
- Cold laser therapy
- Biostimulation
- Photonic stimulation
- Soft laser therapy
Photodynamic therapy also includes red light therapy. Here, red light activates a substance that increases the skin’s ability to absorb light.
What Does Red Light Therapy Do?
Red light therapy (RLT) is a type of light therapy using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The red LED used in this therapy emits low-level red and infrared light that can penetrate the skin without harming it or making it uncomfortable (in a non-invasive way).
The mitochondria are organelles found in all human cells. As it generates energy for the cells’ growth and function, it is referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. The target cells’ mitochondria use the red light that they absorb to produce energy.
It is thought that this energy promotes cellular health and repair. Skin cells become healthier as a result, giving off a more attractive and youthful appearance.
Additionally, the therapy improves blood circulation. As a result, the target cells receive an increased supply of oxygen and nutrients, which promotes cell regeneration.
RLT has many uses, but it is typically employed to enhance the health and appearance of the skin. RLT may assist in the treatment of skin issues like acne, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, burns, crow’s feet, dark spots, signs of aging, etc.
RLT is also utilized to recover wounds, diminish scars, relieve pain (arthritis, muscle, and nerve pain), repair muscle, and recover from exercises, accidents, or any sporting events.
Moreover, it may be an excellent treatment for hair loss and conditions related to oral health, such as gum disease, dental pain, infections, bad breath, and discolored teeth.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
According to the most recent research, the mitochondria are essentially responsible for powering the operation of each of our organs from head to toe.
This means that when the mitochondria are not functioning at their best, neither is the body’s overall health. This translates to detrimental effects that we can see and feel, including poor skin, aches and pains, immune system deficiencies, and a host of other illnesses.
Light provides the body with a variety of nutrients, just like food does. We are all aware of how the body makes vitamin D from UV light and how blue light affects your circadian rhythm and quality of sleep.
Along with far-infrared light, red light, and near-infrared light, the spectrum of what we refer to as the five “bioactive” types of light includes both UV light and blue light. These lights, which all have different wavelengths, enter the body at different depths and affect it in various ways.
Health Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy has many benefits because it promotes cellular change and healing. Numerous health adAn astounding number of studies has established numerous health advantages of red and infrared light to be exact.
Let’s examine a few of the most striking advantages:
Inflammation and discomfort
When red light penetrates in the body, it may help tissues like the skin, muscles, and other organs naturally lessen pain and inflammation. It may boost antioxidant activity, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammatory markers.
Red light therapy has been shown in a lot of studies to be effective in treating a wide range of chronic pain symptoms and conditions, including fibromyalgia, joint pain, back pain, and neck pain. Red light therapy may effectively treat painful tendon injuries and inflammation, according to a 2010 review study.
Skin health and appearance
The improvement of skin health and appearance is a common effect that red light therapy may help with.
RLT may increase blood flow, supplying the skin’s cells with nutrients and oxygen to promote healing and lower inflammation. Additionally, it may stimulate fibroblasts, cells that make collagen, to produce more protein.
Collagen is the most common type of protein in human bodies. The “glue” that holds everything together and gives the skin strength and elasticity is primarily found in connective tissue.
Unfortunately, our body produces less collagen as we age, and our skin loses its aesthetic appeal. Red light therapy may tighten the skin, lessen fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging, and generally enhance your appearance by promoting the production of collagen.
In a 2014 study, volunteers who received red light therapy twice a week saw significant improvements in their skin compared to a control group. Interestingly, it also lessened aging symptoms.
Additionally, studies have shown that red and near-red light therapy can enhance skin by healing and reducing acne, sebum production, scars, and skin inflammation.
Eczema and psoriasis
Eczema and psoriasis are common skin conditions that are notoriously difficult to treat and put a lot of stress on the people who have them.
Red light therapy may cure these conditions by lessening skin inflammation and hastening wound healing. Due to its efficiency and safety, it is quickly becoming the preferred treatment.
Two 20-minute red light therapy sessions were found to reduce psoriasis by 60% to 100% in a 2010 study on treatment-resistant psoriasis patients.
Injury healing
Red light therapy should help if you’ve had surgery, have a cut or wound that is taking a long time to heal, or both.
Increasing circulation and allowing more oxygen and healing nutrients to reach the area may hasten wound healing. Moreover, it may lower tissue inflammation, promote the growth of fresh tissues and blood vessels, and raise collagen levels.
Red light therapy was found in a 2014 study of heart surgery patients to reduce pain and bleeding while accelerating wound healing.
Diabetes neuropathic pain
High blood sugar levels damage nerves, resulting in the distressing complication known as diabetic neuropathy. People frequently experience symptoms of poor circulation, including pain and numbness in their legs and feet.
Red light therapy may relieve symptoms and enhance the quality of life by increasing blood circulation, lowering pain, and preventing cell damage. It has been demonstrated that treating patients’ feet for fifteen minutes three times a week significantly reduces their symptoms.
Helps get rid of sore muscles and helps build muscle mass
Red light therapy might be very beneficial for those looking to increase their muscle mass, physical performance, and recovery.
Red light therapy before a workout may stimulate ATP production and boost muscle energy, performance, and time to exhaustion because our muscles are packed with mitochondria. Additionally, it may warm up the muscles and joints to lower the risk of injury.
When used following physical activity, it may enhance blood circulation and oxygenation in muscle tissue to lessen the likelihood of DOMS and hasten muscle growth and repair.
Research indicates that red light therapy may also:
- Boost your muscular strength
- Reduce muscle fatigue
- Minimize muscle damage
- Decrease lactic acid being produced
Source: orionrlt.ca
Healthy joints and arthritis
Red light therapy may lessen joint pain, swelling, and degeneration by lowering inflammation, increasing collagen synthesis, and regenerating cartilage. Research shows it is particularly effective at treating inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative osteoarthritis signs and symptoms.
Red light therapy may decrease stiffness, increase the range of motion, enhance the quy of life, and reduce joint pain and swelling.
Bone repair
Red light waves must penetrate deep beneath the skin to reach bone tissue to improve cellular energy production, circulation, blood vessel formation, collagen synthesis, and hasten bone repair.
This innovative bone healing method holds great promise for those at high risk of fracture, such as those with osteoporosis.
Hair growth
Red light therapy is a safe, natural, and effective option to promote hair growth without resorting to invasive procedures like hair transplants or products like afro-enhancing-style shampoos.
It may remove the embarrassment and low self-confidence that come with thinning hair by boosting circulation in the scalp and stimulating the hair follicles!
Compared to the placebo group, red light therapy every other day for 25 minutes increased hair growth in women with alopecia by 37%, according to a 2014 study.
Migraines and headaches
Red light therapy might be excellent for lowering the frequency of headaches and migraines because it has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and circulation-boosting properties.
Thyroid activity
For those with hypothyroidism, red light therapy may be a natural treatment option (low thyroid function).
This is especially true in the case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland in the neck and becomes dysfunctional.
NIR light therapy improved thyroid function and decreased autoimmune thyroid antibodies in patients with Hashimoto’s disease, according to a 2013 study. These findings suggest that red light may also regulate immune system activity in addition to improving thyroid health.
Mental health
Red light penetrates the body fairly deeply, which should be excellent for our brains. According to recent studies, photons may penetrate the skull to support healthy brain function when directed at the head.
The circulation, oxygenation, and energy production in the brain should be improved by red light rays, which may also promote brain cells’ function and brain tissue regeneration.
It has been demonstrated to improve learning, memory, reaction times, and a cheerful disposition. Additionally, it might be an excellent addition to treating dementia and traumatic brain injuries.
Source: drdennisgross.com
Red Light Therapy Lasers vs. LEDs
Red light therapy is different from other types of treatment because it causes no pain and causes no harm or damage to your skin.
Red light therapy is a thorough form of treatment. Depending on the power, the light can penetrate the skin up to 50 millimeters deep and even enter the brain, improving mental acuity.
Red light therapy from LEDs has advantages over other forms of treatment like cold or hot lasers. These procedures can potentially harm the skin’s top layer and cause only minor discomfort.
Your body is compelled to heal the skin tissue when the top layer is damis damaged after to products that use LEDs, the treatment area with lasers is also considerably smaller.
Conclusion
This is it! This was all about what does red light therapy do. After one session, results vary from patient to patient and are typically subtle. It seems to be a potentially effective dermatology treatment. However, consulting a dermatologist is recommended before using red light therapy.
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.