There were few choices available to people looking for pain and inflammation relief besides conventional medicine. However, in recent years, a new form of therapy has emerged that may heal and rejuvenate the body from the inside out: light therapy.
Specifically, two forms of light therapy have been gaining popularity: red light therapy and infrared therapy. Whether you’re looking to reduce inflammation, alleviate muscle soreness, or help with weight loss, they may help. But what is better red light therapy or infrared?
In this article, we’ll shed some light on the differences between the therapies. Also, explore the benefits of each type of laser therapy and the drawbacks, so you can decide which one is right for you.
Let’s get started!
Difference Between a Red and Infrared Light
The main difference between red light and infrared light refers to their visibility. You can see red light, but your iris is unable to detect infrared light. Compared to infrared lights, red lights have a lower wavelength.
Furthermore, the distinction lies in their effectiveness. While red light only penetrates the skin’s surface, infrared light can reach up to 1.5 inches into the body. Thus, it may be effective on the skin’s surface and deeper within.
So, now that you have the answer to whether red light therapy or infrared is better, continue reading about the methods. Learn which medical conditions are better handled with infrared light therapy and which should be treated with red light therapy.
What Is Better Red Light Therapy or Infrared?
Both red light therapy and infrared therapy have been shown to offer various potential benefits for the body, including improved skin health, reduced inflammation, and increased circulation.
Depending on the specific condition being treated, one type of therapy may be more effective. For example, red light therapy has been shown to be particularly effective for skin conditions, while infrared therapy may be more beneficial for pain relief and muscle recovery.
Ultimately, the choice between red light therapy and infrared therapy will depend on individual needs and preferences.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy, or simply RLT, is a treatment that uses low-wavelength red light. During the RLT, your skin is exposed to a lamp or a laser with red light. Since it works with low heat, it doesn’t hurt or burn your skin.
Red light therapy may improve the appearance of the skin. This includes reducing acne, wrinkles, scars, and redness, and it may help in producing Vitamin D. In addition, it may also help improve your muscle tissue and heal other parts of your body. RLT might be considered an exercise for your cells.
Furthermore, it might also help with dental pain and whitening the teeth, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis. This kind of therapy may also help you grow thicker hair. Moreover, it may also help patients who have dementia by reducing their anger levels.
It typically takes up to four months to see the results of this therapy. Additionally, it’s usually recommended to go for treatment once a week. If you use an at-home device, you may need to use it twice daily for four to five weeks. One home treatment should usually last from 30 to 60 minutes.
Where can you get red light therapy?
Right light therapy has been around for over 50 years. It was available before 2016, but it usually was an exclusive service offered in luxurious European clinics and spas. However, today you can easily access this kind of treatment.
Red light therapy is typically performed in a doctor’s office. However, with the expansion of its popularity, this therapy is now offered in many cosmetic salons. In addition, you can use this service in some dental offices too.
Since it’s so popular, the market also offers at-home red light devices. There are lamps, panels, eye masks, red light slippers, etc. They are known to be convenient for usage. Typically, they are used for relaxation and treating minor health issues.
If you have a more severe health problem, avoid doing RLT at home. Instead, you should go to a professional. One session at the doctor’s office usually costs $50 to $150. However, it is considered significantly safer than RLT offered in cosmetic salons.
How Does Infrared Work?
Infrared light falls into the category of light energies. As we mentioned, it’s invisible to you. Compared to red light, it has a longer wavelength. So, instead of seeing it, you can feel it in the form of heat.
This infrared treatment is effective, and your body naturally transmits infrared, making the treatment safe. Infrared light penetrates deeply into the skin thanks to its long wavelength.
Through this treatment, the infrared reaches the skin tissue around 1.5 inches below the skin’s surface. As the light enters the body, it may break up fats and toxins. They are usually stored in water molecules. During the treatment, the body sweats to release the trapped toxins.
Therefore, an infrared treatment may be ideal if you want to detox your body quickly and naturally. Infrared may also improve blood circulation and relieve chronic pain.
This treatment might also help you reduce inflammation and boost your metabolism. Additionally, it might improve the quality of your sleep, help you feel more relaxed, and rejuvenate your skin by stimulating collagen formation.
You Might Be Interested: Does Infrared Light Cause Cataracts?
Conclusion
What is better red light therapy or infrared? Both red light therapy and infrared treatment are widely used in medicine, as well as in dentistry. It’s not unusual for vets to use it to potentially help animals as well. Both treatments may be a great alternative to treat different health conditions.
Before you consider doing one, you should learn how the treatments work and their possible health benefits. This can help you quickly determine what is better, red light therapy or infrared, for your health condition.
Disclaimer: The mentioned possible health benefits of red light therapy and infrared light treatment in this article may not apply to all. Everyone is different. Hence, before using any of these methods, you must consult with your doctor.
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.