Red Light Therapy Guide - Benefits, At-Home Use, Risks and More

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a treatment that uses low wavelength red light to deliver benefits to the skin and body. It is a non-invasive and drug-free therapy that utilizes LEDs (light emitting diodes) that emit photons at certain therapeutic wavelengths when activated. When these light particles enter the skin and cells, they stimulate a natural cellular response that has anti-aging, skin-rejuvenating and overall restorative benefits.

Brief History of Red Light Therapy

The use of light as a therapeutic tool dates back thousands of years to ancient cultures that recognized the power of sunlight. In more recent history, NASA conducted pioneering research on using LED lights to grow plants in space in the 1980s and 1990s. These initial studies helped confirm the positive effects of red light.

In the last few decades, continued research and development have pinpointed optimal wavelengths and treatment parameters, making red light more effective and accessible than ever before. Today it is used commonly in medical, cosmetic and home settings.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light works by delivering wavelengths of natural red light to the skin and cells. This light has specific wavelengths that stimulate a biochemical response in the mitochondria, the power generators in cells. By increasing energy production and circulation within cells, red light promotes natural cell and tissue repair.

The light helps reduce inflammation, accelerates healing, increases collagen and elastin production and strengthens overall cell function. It also activates the lymphatic system, promoting detoxification.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Some of the benefits associated with red light therapy include:

Skin Rejuvenation and Anti-Aging

By increasing collagen production and blood flow, red light can reverse signs of damage and aging in the skin. It evens skin tone, diminishes wrinkles, tightens sagging skin, reduces scarring and pores, and fades stretch marks and cellulite.

Reduced Inflammation and Pain Relief

The light reduces oxidative damage and inflammation at a cellular level. This leads to significant reduction in joint pain, muscle soreness, arthritis symptoms, chronic pain, and post-workout fatigue and injuries.

Increased Circulation and Accelerated Healing

Red light aids the body's natural healing processes to speed recovery. It helps repair skin injuries, burns, scars and blemishes while improving circulation and oxygenation. The light can treat issues like cold sores, dermatitis, and shingles.

Restored Immune Function and Cellular Function

Mitochondrial stimulation strengthens cells and boosts immunity. This helps address autoimmune disorders, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, respiratory infections, and seasonal affective disorder.

Other Benefits

There is evidence that red light may aid hair growth, brain function, vision, dental surgeries, fibromyalgia, and reproductive health. It may help combat neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and stroke.

Are Red Light Therapy Beds Effective?

Red light therapy beds are a common way to administer full body red light treatments. Beds contain panels embedded with red and sometimes near infrared (NIR) LED lights that deliver light energy across the entire body.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy Beds

Full body red light beds have become popular for their wide range of benefits:

• Improve skin health, tone and texture
• Reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and cellulite
• Burn calories by increasing metabolism
• Relax muscles and relieve stiffness, spasms and pain
• Increase circulation and oxygenation in the blood
• Speed recovery and healing after workouts
• Reduce appearance of varicose veins and spider veins
• Boost energy levels and mental clarity

How Often to Use a Red Light Therapy Bed

Manufacturers recommend using red light therapy beds 2 to 3 times per week for best results. Session times usually range from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the unit and condition being treated. It's ideal to space out treatments by at least 48 hours for optimal effects.

Who Can Use Red Light Therapy Beds?

Red light therapy beds are generally safe for all skin types. However, it's recommended that minors, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions seek physician approval first. Talk to your doctor if you take any medications, have had cancer, or have photosensitivity issues.

Guide to Using Home Red Light Therapy

While professional red light therapy beds offer full body treatments, there are also convenient at-home red light therapy devices available:

Red Light Therapy Panels

These larger panels or wall-mounted devices are designed to deliver targeted red light therapy to the face, skin and body. Similar to light therapy beds, they offer hands-free treatment by securing to the wall or standing on their own.

Red Light Therapy Masks

Worn like visors, these devices deliver red light to the face for anti-aging benefits. They are lightweight, rechargeable and simple to use for 20-30 minute sessions.

Red Light Therapy Handheld Devices

Small handheld wands and sticks allow you to precisely apply red light therapy to any body part. Target wrinkles around eyes, mouth and the neck, blemishes, or areas of pain.

Red Light Therapy Spot-Treatment Pens

These ultra-portable and convenient pens administer red light therapyconcentrated on very specific spots, like skin imperfections or marks. They are operated simply by gliding over and holding briefly to the area.

How to Use Red Light Therapy Devices

To achieve the full benefits of red light therapy, follow device guidelines for treatment times and frequency. Make sure to expose bare skin, as red light cannot penetrate clothing. Positioning the device at the correct distance from the skin (as specified by manufacturer instructions) maximizes benefits.

Red Light Therapy Risks and Precautions

Red light therapy is generally very safe and well-tolerated with minimal risk. However, there are some precautions to keep in mind:

• Avoid looking directly into red lights, as with any bright light source. Wear provided safety goggles.
• Remove any reflective jewelry/accessories when using larger red light panels.
• Never undergo light treatments over cancerous lesions or tumors.
• Discontinue if skin becomes irritated or burned.
• Use cautious use around implants, fillers, metal plates/pins and other devices as effects are uncertain.
• Have your doctor confirm it's safe if you're pregnant, have an autoimmune disorder or take photosensitive drugs.

Prolonged red light exposure has been shown to be harmless. But limit treatments to the recommended durations and frequencies to be safe.

Takeaways on Red Light Therapy

• Red light therapy harnesses particular wavelengths of natural red light to stimulate cellular regeneration
• It can improve collagen production, skin complexion, joint/muscle pain, injuries, circulation, immunity and more
• Full body red light beds offer convenient hands-free treatments with multiple health benefits
• Smaller at-home red light devices provide targeted face and body treatments
• When used as directed, red light therapy is very low-risk and non-invasive

Given the wide-ranging cosmetic and therapeutic perks, red light therapy is an exciting treatment option for whole body rejuvenation and natural healing.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.