Did you know that light has the power to heal your skin and optimize your health? If you weren’t aware of this, you’re not alone. Red light therapy has recently emerged as a relatively safe and effective treatment for its anti-aging benefits and other health concerns.
Dermatologists have used red light therapy devices for their effective results in improving the skin’s appearance and texture. It has also been used in plastic surgery offices and wound care centers for quite some time, but does it really work?
Let’s look at how dermatologists explain the benefits and risks of Red Light Therapy for the skin.
The Science Behind Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation therapy (PBM), is a non-invasive light therapy effective for treating cosmetic and medical conditions. The long wavelength is best for reaching deep into the body’s tissue, muscles, and bone to stimulate cell function and promote healing.
Light from the red or near-infrared region activates mitochondria, “the cell energy generators,” to help restore health from aging by stimulating collagen production, rapidly increasing cell growth, which prevents muscle loss and improves blood circulation.
Red Light Therapy supports the body’s natural healing process in several ways, which include the following.
Enhances Skin Health
It can significantly improve the appearance of skin damaged or aged by sunlight. Red light stimulates collagen production, resulting in a more youthful look by tightening lax skin.
Promotes Wound Healing
It accelerates the healing process for wounds and skin injuries by improving blood circulation and cell regeneration in the affected area. Red light encourages new skin growth and helps new blood vessel networks form.
Assists in Pain Relief
It alleviates joint and muscle pain. Red Light encourages cells to produce antioxidants faster and helps reduce inflammation for osteoarthritis, psoriasis, carpal tunnel, and tendinitis.
Boosts Athletic Performance
Fitness enthusiasts and athletes use Red Light Therapy to prevent soreness and speed muscle recovery during exercise. Studies have shown it energizes the body’s cells, helping to increase performance and sleep quality.
Supports Weight Loss
Red and infrared light stimulates your body’s ability to burn calories. Cellular growth and healing require energy, so the more active your lifestyle is, the more your cells demand energy resulting in fat loss.
Improves Mood
One of the lesser-known benefits of Red Light Therapy is that it helps improve mood by releasing brain chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Are There Any Risks?
While there are numerous benefits of Red Light Therapy for treating skin and health concerns, there are also downsides you must be aware of.
Requires Eye Protection
Red light may be harmful to your eyes, so it requires eye protection to avoid direct exposure to the light and its negative implications.
Frequency and Duration
Multiple sessions and varying frequencies are needed to achieve the desired result, requiring patience and time, which could be inconvenient for many people.
Not Everyone is a Good Candidate
Light therapy may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions or those taking specific medications. It’s also not recommended for pregnant women and photosensitive individuals.
Ask a Physician Before Getting Started
Red light therapy has shown promising results in improving health and skin-related concerns. However, it’s pertinent to note that before adding a new routine to your wellness regimen, always get a second opinion from your physician. Start with a dermatologist or integrative, functional medical doctor, depending on what you’re interested in treating.
Even if it’s already being used with success in different clinical settings, more studies are needed to prove its effectiveness and determine its side effects.
