Red Light Therapy Benefits
Red light therapy is gaining traction for its ability to alleviate pain, improve skin health, and boost muscle recovery. It’s an emerging therapeutic technique that’s based on the photobiomodulation mechanism, which means exposing the body to low-level red light.
So far, there have been numerous studies on this noninvasive treatment and its ability to address common skin care concerns and health conditions. Over the years, researchers have extensively studied the technology’s effects and have found evidence of cellular regeneration and reducing inflammation. If you’re considering getting red light therapy but want to know if it’s worth it, let’s discuss its benefits in detail.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Also known as low-power laser or low-level laser therapy, red light therapy targets the cells to stimulate the healing process. Using low-level wavelengths of red light can treat common skin issues like fine lines, wrinkles, and psoriasis.
How Does It Work?
In red light therapy, a professional applies specific wavelength of light onto the skin. The light has a wavelength of around 630 nanometers and penetrates between 2 to 3 millimeters below the skin. This light is absorbed by the mitochondria, causing it to produce more energy and increase collagen production. Because of this mechanism, cells have extra energy to regenerate and respond to damage.
Physical Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy offers numerous physical benefits, from improving your skin to stimulating muscle recovery. Here’s a detailed look at its various physical benefits:
Improves Skin Health
Among its numerous applications, red light therapy is most well-known for providing an array of skin-related benefits. There’s evidence that it stimulates the mitochondria, producing more energy at a cellular level. This, in turn, improves skin elasticity by increasing collagen, an essential protein that gives the cells structure and support.
Red light therapy works via a process called photobiomodulation. This refers to how different cell components respond to different wavelengths of light. In contrast, other skin devices, like lasers, cause controlled damage to the skin, causing an inflammatory reaction to reduce wrinkles and redness.
Because red light therapy doesn’t cause trauma to your skin, you see visible results without the discomfort, swelling, and downtime associated with typical lasers. Although it penetrates the skin by up to 6 millimeters under the surface, it doesn’t cause damage to enhance cell activity.
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
As your skin ages and collagen levels drop, it loses elasticity, making fine lines and wrinkles more prominent. There’s evidence that supplementing collagen through treatments like red light therapy can cause improvements in firmness, moisture content, and suppleness.
Improves skin texture
Besides boosting collagen to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, red light therapy enhances your skin’s texture. It minimizes the visibility of open pores and promotes an even skin tone, giving you smoother skin with a balanced complexion. Red light encourages cell turnover, causing new cells to replace damaged ones and improve skin texture in the process.
Helps with acne, rosacea, and psoriasis
There is evidence that red light therapy is beneficial for treating acne and conditions like rosacea and psoriasis. Exposure to low-level red light reduces inflammation in the skin and increases cell turnover. Specifically, it stimulates the turnover of keratinocytes, which make up the outer layer of your skin.
Promotes Muscle Recovery
If you feel like your body doesn’t recover in time for your next workout session, red light therapy can help. A major benefit of red light therapy is that it promotes blood vessel dilation and circulation. This means muscles receive more oxygen and nutrients, helping them recover faster.
It’s also effective during your workout since it curbs inflammation – the biggest cause of cell damage and muscle soreness. Similarly, red light triggers muscle cells to speed up respiration, resulting in less muscle fatigue after a workout. As a result, you can perform better, whether you’re at the gym or on the field.
Reduces Joint Pain and Inflammation
A review of recent studies shows that red light therapy is effective in reducing joint pain. For instance, a study on the benefits of red light therapy for degenerative osteoarthritis shows positive results.
Researchers observed significant improvement in the group that received red light therapy for joint pain and inflammation. Moreover, it shows the potential to mitigate inflammation in arthritic joints. The photobiomodulation process stimulates cellular regeneration and restores cell function while triggering blood flow. As a result, red light therapy encourages healing and relieves pain.
Helps With Fat Reduction
Red light therapy is also gaining traction as a method for body sculpting – a noninvasive method that eliminates fat cells without surgery. Unlike surgical methods, using red light therapy for body sculpting doesn’t require any downtime, so you can resume daily activities after the session. There are also at-home red light therapy devices that help reduce fat from the abdomen area.
Currently, researchers have yet to reach a consensus on how it works. However, a common theory is that the low-level red light impacts the cell membrane, causing it to shrink and be removed via the natural waste removal process. In one pilot study, researchers found that participants who attended red light therapy twice a week dropped a collective 3.5 inches from their hips, thighs, and abdomen.
Promotes Hair Growth
In addition to improving skin and muscle health, red light therapy can also promote hair growth by penetrating the scalp and optimizing cell functioning. It works by irradiating photons into the scalp’s cells. The photons are then absorbed by cells, which promotes hair growth.
The theory behind using red light therapy for hair loss is that it boosts blood circulation to the scalp tissues and follicles. One study identified that low-level laser therapy has a beneficial effect on hair follicles and promotes hair growth. When compared to other methods, like hair transplants, red light therapy is noninvasive, increases hair strength, is painless, and doesn’t cause side effects.
Benefits For Specific Conditions
In addition to its four main physical benefits, there’s evidence that red light therapy can improve specific conditions, such as:
Back pain
Chronic back pain is a problem that impacts people of all ages and can be attributed to various causes, like fractures and muscle strains. Nowadays, physiotherapists recommend red light therapy as a complementary therapy to relieve back pain. Professionals use a device to emit rays at multiple wavelengths and intensities.
Red light therapy penetrates deeper into the cells, stimulating the tissues to reduce inflammation. A study on the use of red light therapy for back pain shows that the treatment group reported lower levels of pain than the placebo group.
Thyroid health
Currently, medical researchers are looking at the potential benefits of using red light therapy to improve thyroid health and alleviate conditions like Hashimoto’s disease. Also known as autoimmune hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease is when your immune system targets the thyroid gland tissues, resulting in chronic inflammation. With time, the thyroid gland loses its ability to produce the thyroid hormone, leading to hypothyroidism.
Since inflammation is what causes hypothyroidism, medical researchers are considering the possibility of using red light therapy to address it. According to one randomized control study involving 43 women, red light therapy proved beneficial for alleviating chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism.
Testosterone production
Currently, there is little research on the use of red light therapy for improving testosterone production. Evidence suggests that red light therapy works by stimulating the Leydig cells, which are located in the testes and produce testosterone.
It also promotes circulation, which encourages the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the testes, potentially increasing testosterone production. Additionally, red light therapy can alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation, creating a more favorable environment for testosterone production.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
Besides the various physical benefits that red light therapy can bring, it can also boost your mental and emotional health. The first is obvious: by addressing skin concerns, promoting muscle recovery, and reducing pain, red light therapy can improve your sense of well-being. Other than promoting a sense of wellness by promoting your physical health, red light therapy has various mental and emotional benefits.
Improved Mood
One feasibility study on the use of red light therapy to treat depression shows that it can deliver positive results. There’s also evidence that it’s an effective treatment option to alleviate seasonal affective disorder. In one study, participants dealing with seasonal affective disorder reported a significant improvement in mood after a single session of active red light therapy.
This benefit is because of the impact low-level red light has on serotonin and dopamine. By balancing levels of serotonin and dopamine, red light therapy balances mood and has an antidepressant effect. Another theory is that exposure to red light triggers the release of melanopsin, the color-sensitive receptor for red light that’s involved in cognitive and affective functioning.
Another explanation for the link between red light therapy and improved mood is that it increases ATP, which provides the cells with energy. By doing so, the therapy enhances cellular function in brain cells, which can improve your mood. Similarly, there’s evidence that chronic inflammation can worsen depression. So, red light therapy can have a beneficial impact on mood by curbing inflammation.
Better Sleep Quality
Another way that red light therapy can benefit your mental and emotional health is by improving your sleep quality. By emitting light at a specific wavelength, red light can influence your body’s circadian rhythm, which is linked to mood regulation. A 2012 study on the impact of fully-body red light therapy showed that the participants reported better sleep quality, which correlated with improved melatonin levels.
As of now, researchers have a hypothesis as to why red light therapy can prove beneficial for improving sleep quality. Blue light, the type of light emitted from smartphones and TV screens, inhibits the release of melatonin, and red light can potentially increase melatonin levels. That’s because red is on the opposite end of the light spectrum.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
Besides helping you get better sleep and boosting your mood, red light therapy can increase blood flow and subsequent oxygenation in the brain. This increases brain activity, potentially improving performance in cognitive functions. Moreover, chronic inflammation is a major risk factor for neurological conditions.
Red light therapy can counter inflammation, allowing for improvements in cognitive functioning. According to one study involving participants with mild traumatic brain injury, the use of red light therapy led to better cognitive functioning. The participants reported that they were better able to perform social, occupational, and interpersonal functions.
At-Home Red Light Therapy Options
While the most effective way to receive red light therapy is to see a trained professional, there are also at-home options. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options before comparing them with each other and in-studio sessions.
Types of Devices Available
At-home red light therapy devices come in a variety of options that are designed for different applications and coverage. The main types are as follows:
Handheld devices
The most commonly used option for red light therapy at home is a handheld device. Shaped like a stick, it’s a small device that can easily target different areas of the body. These are usually preferred for localized treatment, like the face, joints, or muscles.
Light panels
These panels cover a more extensive area of the body at a time, making them suitable for whole-body exposure. They’re also effective if you’re treating larger areas, like your legs, chest, or back. These are preferable for comprehensive health benefits, like muscle recovery and back pain.
Wearable devices
Depending on the design, you can strap these devices or pads to different parts of your body. They’re preferable for hands-free treatment for certain areas, such as the shoulders, lower back, or knees. They deliver targeted therapy without restricting mobility during sessions, so you’re able to move around.
Therapy beds
These are similar to tanning beds and provide extensive red light exposure to your entire body. Red light therapy beds are designed to deliver whole-body treatments, so they’re great for enhancing overall wellness and skin health.
Masks
Face masks are another at-home red light therapy option gaining traction these days. These masks are designed to fit the contours of your face and come with different light settings. They’re primarily used for facial treatments and target issues like wrinkles, acne, and poor skin texture.
Comparing Popular Red Light Therapy Device Brands
These days, numerous brands have launched at-home red light therapy devices for consumers. The most popular brands among these are Joovv, PlatinumLED Therapy Lights, and Red Light Rising. While Joovv and PlatinumLED Therapy Lights are based in the US, Red Light Rising is based in the UK, with a strong presence in European markets. Let’s take a look at their main strengths, one by one:
Joovv
Known for its products like the Joovv Solo and Joovv Go, the brand’s main strengths include its user-friendly interface and modular design. The devices are easy to use and come with built-in treatment settings. They also have a modular design, so you can combine different Joovv devices to build bigger treatment setups. Moreover, Joovv is well-known for backing its products with clinical studies. Their products are highly rated for improving skin health and muscle recovery.
PlatinumLED Therapy Lights
Some of the most common products by PlatinumLED are the BIO series high irradiance panels, such as the BIO-600. This brand is well-known for offering devices with higher power settings. By offering some of the highest irradiance levels in the market, users can get short yet effective treatment sessions. Its products also offer better energy efficiency by delivering impressive output minus the excessive power consumption.
Red Light Rising
Some of the most popular products by Red Light Rising include The Target Light 2.0 and The Full Stack 3.0. The brand’s biggest strengths include user safety, durability, and effectiveness. Their products are built with high-quality materials to ensure long-term use, and they offer high power levels for effective therapy sessions. Users have reported improvements in pain levels and sleep quality.
Comparing At-Home Treatments With In-Studio Sessions
Now that we’ve gone over the benefits of red light therapy, as well as the different at-home treatment options available, it’s time for the main question: at-home treatments or in-studio sessions? We’ll compare the two main options to see what they offer:
Safety
For most people considering getting red light therapy for their skin or muscle recovery, safety is a major concern. When you see a licensed professional at a clinic like Donna Bella MedSpa, you’ll be guaranteed proper care. A professional will be tasked with handling the procedure, so you can rest assured that they’ll take appropriate safety measures, too. From choosing the right wavelength to determining how many sessions you need, everything is curated to meet your specific needs.
Meanwhile, at-home red light therapy treatments may be FDA-cleared, but you’ll need to make sure that you’re purchasing from a legitimate provider. Even then, there’s room for error, like not following the instructions or using the product in the wrong setting.
Effectiveness
Next up, let’s talk about effectiveness. After all, there are many people who are still sceptical about trying red light therapy. Is it an effective treatment? Yes, both in-studio and at-home red light therapy work, but you’ll notice some major differences in terms of effectiveness.
When you go to a clinic like Donna Bella Laser MedSpa, you’ll see results faster than you would with an at-home device. That’s because professional-grade devices have higher power levels than your average at-home option.
On the other hand, at-home solutions emit light at a lower intensity, reducing the risk of skin damage. While this makes the product safer, you’ll need to use it for a longer period to see visible results. So, if you’re aiming to see results after a few sessions, it’s best to visit a professional.
Costs
When it comes down to costs, keep in mind that purchasing an at-home red light therapy device is quite the investment. You could end up spending about $100 to $500 for a handheld device. If you go to a medspa, you’ll pay per session or for a set of sessions, so the total cost will depend on how many sessions you need.
How Long Does It Take To Deliver Results?
Let’s suppose you’re getting in-studio therapy sessions. In that case, how long does it take to start seeing results? The timeline and number of sessions can change based on various factors, but the most important is why you’re getting red light therapy.
If you’re getting red light therapy for skin concerns like wrinkles, you’ll start seeing results in the first couple of sessions and can expect long-lasting results with repeat sessions. If you’re seeking red light therapy for acute conditions, like muscle injury, you can expect faster results than for a chronic condition like arthritis. For more information on when you can see results and how many sessions are needed, it’s best to consult a professional.
Get Safe and Effective Red Light Therapy At Donna Bella Laser MedSpa
To sum it up, red light therapy is an effective therapeutic technique that offers numerous physical and emotional benefits. It improves skin health by increasing collagen production, curbing inflammation, and promoting circulation, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also proven effective for muscle recovery, joint pain, and fat loss.
At the same time, it offers mental and emotional benefits like improved mood, better sleep quality, and enhanced cognitive function. Though there are various at-home devices available, they vary in terms of safety and effectiveness. In contrast, seeing a professional ensures a safer experience and visible results after the first few sessions. If you’re considering getting red light therapy, get in touch with our team at Donna Bella Laser MedSpa today and book a consultation.
