If you want to learn more about red light therapy and its benefits, you’re in the right place. Red light therapy uses LED lights to treat skin issues (and other beauty issues). People often use red light therapy to lessen their wrinkles, scars, and acne. It can also help with dental pain, hair loss, and energy levels among other things.
A red light therapy device emits low-intensity red and near-infrared light that penetrates deep into the body's cells to encourage healing. It doesn’t produce heat and is considered noninvasive and painless.
In this article, we’ll be discussing how red light therapy works and what it’s typically used for. We’ll also talk about the specific benefits (and potential side effects) of red light therapy, so stick around!
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy, also known as Low-Level Light Therapy or Photobiomodulation, involves using red or near-infrared light to stimulate cells and promote healing. It’s a safe and simple method for improving skin health. Recently, it’s gained a lot of popularity and has even been used in plenty of medical and cosmetic treatments over the years.
Interestingly, red light therapy was developed by NASA scientists in the 1960s to help plants grow in space. This is when they discovered that red and near-infrared light could also improve cellular activity and promote wound healing. Actually, using light for healing and restoration is an ancient practice — the main difference is that we now have the technology to create red light therapy devices.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy works by targeting the mitochondria, the “power plant” of the body's cells. With more energy, cells can repair skin, promote new cell growth, and rejuvenate the skin more efficiently. Specific cells absorb light wavelengths and are stimulated to work better. For skin health, red light therapy can:
- Stimulate collagen production for structure, strength, and elasticity
- Increase fibroblast production, which creates collagen (a key component of connective tissue)
- Improve blood flow to tissues
- Reduce inflammation in cells
What Skin Conditions Is Red Light Therapy Typically Used For?
Red light therapy is used for a lot of common skin conditions, including:
- Improving wound healing
- Reducing stretch marks
- Decreasing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots
- Treatment option for psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema
- Improving scars
- Repairing sun-damaged skin
- Promoting hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia
- Acne treatment
The Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Many studies have shown encouraging results for red light therapy, though its effectiveness is still being debated in most scientific circles. More clinical research is needed to confirm its benefits. However, studies over the past 20 years suggest that red light therapy might help with:
- Wound healing and tissue repair: Red light therapy could speed up the healing of chronic wounds and repair tissues.
- Cancer treatment side effects: It may also reduce side effects from cancer treatments (like oral mucositis, radiation dermatitis, and lymphedema).
- Hair growth: Red light therapy might also improve hair growth for people with androgenic alopecia.
- Myopia progression: Red light therapy may slow down the worsening of nearsightedness.
- Pain and inflammation relief: It might relieve pain and inflammation in conditions like Achilles tendon pain.
- Skin improvement: It could also improve skin complexion and stimulate production of collagen to reduce wrinkles.
Is Red Light Treatment Effective?
Most experts are unsure if red light therapy works for all of its claimed uses. While studies show some potential for certain conditions, more research is needed. Red light therapy is still an emerging treatment with growing interest but there simply isn’t enough evidence to support most uses.
The best way to determine a product's effectiveness is through randomized, placebo-controlled trials, where people with similar characteristics receive either the treatment or a placebo. Most red light therapy studies in the past have involved small groups, lacked placebo groups, were conducted on animals, or were limited to cell tissue.
Researchers have found the results to be quite promising, but there’s definitely a need for more high-quality studies with larger groups of people. The effectiveness of red light therapy will also differ from person to person, so that’s something to take into consideration as well.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
Red light therapy seems safe and doesn’t have side effects if used for a short time and as directed. It’s not toxic, invasive, or as harsh as some other skin treatments. Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning booths, red light therapy doesn’t use harmful UV light.
However, misuse of the red light devices (such as overuse or not following instructions) could damage your skin or eyes (if you don’t protect them properly). To be on the safe side, you should consult a dermatologist or qualified cosmetic therapist. They can confirm your skin condition and discuss the benefits of red light therapy with you.
The Before and After Effects of Red Light Therapy
Are you wondering about the before and after effects of red light therapy? It might take some time to see results, but as long as you're consistent with your red light therapy sessions, you’ll get to enjoy the benefits. Let’s break down what you can expect to see (and feel) after undergoing a few sessions of red light therapy below:
Physical changes
One of the most obvious benefits you'll see is healthier skin. Many people notice fewer wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Your skin might look younger (and it might glow more, too). Effective treatment can also help some people grow more hair and stop hair from falling out.
Mental and emotional benefits
Beyond just physical changes, red light therapy can also make you feel better mentally and emotionally.
Users often report feeling happier, less stressed, and less anxious. It can also help you sleep better, which is definitely a plus.
Getting Ready for Red Light Therapy
Now that you know more about LED treatments, let's talk about how to prepare for your first session at home:
What to expect during your first session
Your first session will last for about 15 minutes. The light from the LED mask is painless, so you can just sit back and relax while receiving your red light therapy treatment.
Tips for best results
To get the most out of your red light therapy, you might want to keep these tips in mind:
- Be consistent: Regular red light therapy sessions are more important than you might think. You might need to do red light therapy a few times a week or month, depending on what your specific goals are.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and after your light red therapy session to help your body detox and get the full benefits.
- Live a healthy lifestyle: You should ideally combine red light therapy with a healthy lifestyle. Make sure to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Light Therapy
Is red light therapy safe?
Yes, red light therapy is considered to be perfectly safe (even when done from the comfort of your own home) as long as you’re following directions carefully. The light emitted during these sessions is gentle, non-invasive, and non-thermal. This means it won't burn or damage your skin and tissues.
That said, you might want to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns you may have with a healthcare professional before starting red light therapy treatment. Again, red light therapy is quite safe, but everyone’s different. If you do notice any adverse effects while using red light therapy, you should stop right away and see if your skin clears up.
How long until you see results?
The timeline for seeing results from red light therapy can vary. Basically, it just depends on the person. Factors such as age, skin type, and the specific condition you’re attempting to treat all play a role in how quickly you might notice changes. Some people report seeing improvements after just a few sessions, particularly in skin tone and texture.
Others might need several weeks or even months of consistent therapy to achieve noticeable results. When doing red light therapy, remember to set realistic expectations and be patient. The benefits of red light therapy accumulate over time, which is why being consistent with regular sessions is so important.
Post-Therapy Care and Maintenance
One of the main issues people have is preserving the benefits of red light therapy. What a lot of people don’t know is that in order to preserve these benefits, you’ll need to develop a consistent skincare routine. This means cleaning and moisturizing your skin every day. Thankfully, it should be pretty easy to get into the habit of doing this.
You should also protect your skin from the sun, since too much UV radiation can reverse the positive effects of the red light therapy. Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water will also help keep the positive effects of red light therapy consistent. Getting enough sleep can’t hurt either — it’s all about doing what it takes to stay healthy!
