The Magic of Red Light Therapy

Have you ever heard of red light therapy? If not, you're in for a treat! This amazing treatment is non-invasive with a wide range of benefits, from improving your skin and reducing pain to boosting your mood. It's backed by science and considered safe for most people. It is gaining popularity for its wide range of health and beauty benefits. Whether you're looking to improve your skin, reduce pain, or boost your mood, red light therapy might just be the answer.

I have personally been using red light to improve my eye health and sleep for several months now and I have noticed a positive effect on my farsightedness (Hyperopia) and my circadian rhythm, being able to fall asleep more easily and having deeper restorative sleep.

What Exactly is Red Light Therapy?

Light therapy has been around for more than 50 years. It was discovered by the Hungarian physician Endre Mester in the 1960s, when scientific experiments with red lasers on rats led to hair growth and wound healing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215795/

Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to address various skin issues, promote healing, and reduce pain and inflammation. Unlike the harmful ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, red light is safe and beneficial for our bodies. It's also known as photobiomodulation.  Red light therapy utilises light within specific wavelengths. This is between 400 nanometers (nm) for blue light, up to 1,200 nm for near-infrared (invisible) and red light has wavelengths between 620 to 750 nm, this is visible light.

How Does It Work?

Red light therapy— also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT), photobiomodulation (PBM), or low-power laser therapy (LPLT) it makes use of an LED (light-emitting diode) device that emits red and near-infrared rays, typically in a range of 660-890 nm. Your body absorbs the red light via skin exposure and can start utilizing it almost immediately.

It's pretty amazing how red light therapy works. Once absorbed by the skin, the red light activates receptors in the mitochondria of your cells which are the energy producers for your cells (power packs), this helps the cells to function more effectively and efficiently.

Red light therapy works its magic by helping your cells perform at their best and improving blood flow, giving your body a deep, restorative boost at the cellular level. It helps your cells work better, heal faster, and reduce inflammation.

Amazing Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin

Red light therapy is surprisingly potent when it comes to healthy, youthful-looking skin. It is a great way to combat wrinkles and rejuvenate skin without using damaging chemicals or substances.

One of the biggest assets red light has is an ability to boost collagen production. Collagen is one of the most important proteins in your skin that keeps it firm and plump. When it starts to disappear which happens with age, wrinkles and fine lines start to appear.

Along with boosting collagen, red light therapy has been found to increase skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and improve skin roughness. It is important to note that consistent use over at least 4-6 weeks is needed to see results.

Acne and other Inflammatory Skin Issues

Inflammation plays a big role in acne and numerous other skin disorders. By calming both internal and external (skin) inflammation, red light can help with breakouts and may calm other inflammatory skin ailments as well. In regard to acne, red light therapy works best for mild to moderate breakouts. Shorter wavelengths of around 630 nm appear to be the most effective. Other research has also shown good effects of red light therapy for treating psoriasis.

Pain and Inflammation Relief

One specific benefit of improved cellular energy and blood flow is reduced inflammation. chronic inflammation is implicated in many serious and often painful diseases like arthritis and fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that utilising red light therapy can naturally calm inflammation. It has shown an ability to reduce many different types of inflammation, including in the brain, lungs, spinal cord, and wounded skin.

Better Mental Health

Red light therapy can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety

and helps regulate sleep patterns for better rest.

Hair Growth

Hair Loss: It has been discovered that the most effective wavelength range for hair growth is 630–670 nm. The best treatment effect is achieved by combining red light at 655nm and infrared light above 800nm resulting in optimal hair growth. Red light therapy has been found to be particularly beneficial for androgenetic alopecia.

The Science Behind It 

There's a lot of research supporting red light therapy. Studies have shown that it can significantly improve skin health, reduce pain, and help with muscle recovery.

Skin Benefits: Studies showing a reduction in wrinkles and improved skin texture and inflammatory conditions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/ https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(19)33160-3/abstract    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926176/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24286286/

 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19764893/

Pain Relief: Research in pain research and management found red light therapy effective for chronic pain relief. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8946909/  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28748217/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31151332/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31151332/ 

Hair Growth: Reports showing increased hair density and thickness in people with and androgenetic alopecia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8577899/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24078483/

How to Use Red Light Therapy

You can get red light therapy at clinics or use at-home devices. For home use be sure to choose a product that has good irradiance (light energy output), surface area covered, and frequency emitted in nanometres, so that you can achieve the best results. Be consistent, regular sessions and duration are important. Use protective eyewear if needed.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Red light therapy is generally safe. It does not emit any kind of UV radiation, so there’s no need to worry about skin damage or burning.

Do not overuse red light therapy, follow the instructions and guidelines given. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. Avoid red light therapy if you are pregnant.

Contact me to find out more about how natural therapies can help improve your health and wellbeing.

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