Red light therapy is a noninvasive skin treatment that uses low-power red or blue LED light to penetrate the skin. It’s safe for all skin types, doesn’t irritate or burn the skin like UV light does, and produces no heat like UV light does.
Muscle strain and pain, dental issues, inflammation in the body and even aging skin can be reduced with this treatment. However, there are risks involved as well; such as encouraging cancer cell growth.
What are the benefits?
Red light therapy is a noninvasive, safe treatment that can assist with various skin-care and health concerns. It works by exposing your body to low levels of laser or LED-generated light that penetrates deep into muscle and skin tissue, combatting oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and improving tissue function.
Red light therapy may also diminish the appearance of scars and improve skin tone. These effects are believed to be caused by its effect on mitochondria, the “power generator” of cells in your body.
According to celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross, red light can help repair damage and rejuvenate your skin. This is because mitochondria absorb the red light and generate adenosine triphosphate – an energy form that boosts cell activity.
Red light penetrates into your skin and increases blood flow to the treated area, aiding healing. It can also reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen production for healthy-looking skin.
Some people report seeing results after just one session, however it usually takes multiple treatments to fully experience the full effects. A medical professional can advise you on how many treatments are necessary and which type of device or lamp would be most beneficial for you, according to Jagdeo.
Red light therapy has the potential to treat a range of skin conditions and is an attractive treatment option for patients suffering from pain or other side effects after chemotherapy or radiation treatments. According to Arany, red light therapy can decrease inflammation and discomfort caused by chemotherapy or radiation treatment, as well as prevent mucositis – an inflammation in your digestive tract – when this inflammation becomes severe.
Red light penetrates tissue and activates chromophores, the pigments within cells that give them color. According to the PBM Foundation, this increases cells’ capacity for healing and repair themselves.
Furthermore, Vitamin C can strengthen your immune system – which is particularly important for cancer patients as they may become less vulnerable to infection. Furthermore, it may reduce side effects from chemotherapy and radiation such as nausea or vomiting.
What are the risks?
Red light therapy (RLT) is a noninvasive treatment that exposes your skin to low levels of laser or LED-generated light that penetrates deep into skin and muscle tissue. It is safe for most people and may help alleviate conditions like muscle strain, dental issues, aging skin and cognitive decline.
Red light therapy’s primary purpose is to stimulate mitochondria in your cells, which in turn produces more energy. This stimulates cell repair and encourages new cell growth.
Research has demonstrated that exposure to low levels of red light can stimulate your mitochondria to produce more ATP, the energy currency your cells use for power. It also helps combat oxidative stress which may contribute to inflammation and other health issues.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been proven to be beneficial for cancer patients as it reduces side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. According to a study published June 2019 in Oral Oncology, cancer patients who received High Emissivity Aluminiferous Luminescent Substrate, or HEALS, as treatment for oral mucositis (a painful side effect of chemotherapy and radiation) experienced less pain after receiving this light-activated therapy.
Researchers used an affibody, a synthetic molecule that precisely binds with target proteins – in this case the EGFR protein that is often mutated in glioblastoma, one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of brain cancer. When illuminated with near-infrared light, these fluorescent dyes glow, enabling surgeons to spot microscopic cancer cells within the brain without harming healthy tissue.
According to the study, surgery activated anti-tumour activity that killed off any remaining tumour cells after surgery. These results could be an invaluable addition to existing treatments for this and other cancers, according to Dr. Kobayashi.
Despite these promising results, further studies are needed to fully establish the safety and effectiveness of red light therapy. The best way to find out if it is suitable for you is to speak to a trained healthcare professional such as your doctor.
How often should I use it?
Red light therapy (RLT) is a nonmedical treatment that utilizes low levels of laser or LED-generated light to penetrate skin and muscles. This type of light does not create heat or burn the skin and may help with muscle strain, aging, dental issues and other conditions.
This process works by exposing your body to low levels of red or blue light, which stimulates collagen and reduces inflammation. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that it may help treat fine lines and wrinkles.
Red light therapy may also aid with weight loss and acne treatment. You may see advertisements for it at beauty spas, salons, tanning salons and gyms.
For optimal results, it is best to get this therapy administered by a dermatologist or other qualified professional who has experience treating specific conditions. As there is currently no established frequency or duration for this therapy, consulting with your healthcare provider about the right amount and frequency can help determine what works best for your individual condition.
To achieve optimal results, it’s important to find a device with sufficient irradiance (or intensity) and penetration through the skin. A medical-grade machine should deliver an wavelength of around 850 nanometers, which is ideal for most cancers.
For your safety, only use this machine in a licensed facility and carefully follow all instructions. Additionally, wear eye protection to reduce the risk of injury.
Another excellent tip is to search for a product that uses high-quality components and meets the highest standards. Doing this will guarantee your device has a long life span and provides all of the advantages desired.
You could also try purchasing an FDA-approved at-home device to use in your own home. Unfortunately, these machines tend to be less powerful than professional grade equipment and will only yield impressive results when administered by a trained healthcare provider.
Red light therapy may not be suitable for everyone, but it can be an effective solution to improving certain health and skincare conditions that don’t respond to conventional treatments. As a complementary therapy, it should usually be combined with other MD-approved methods of treatment like topicals or in-office procedures.
Where can I get it?
Red light therapy is a type of photomedicine that utilizes low levels of laser or LED-generated red light to treat skin conditions and reduce inflammation. It’s safe for most people, as it does not use ultraviolet (UV) rays which have been linked to an increased risk for skin cancer.
Red light therapy is often employed to combat acne and other skin problems, reducing scarring and wrinkles while stimulating collagen production – the substance responsible for giving skin its structure and strength.
This treatment is safe for all skin types, as there are no topical solutions or harsh treatments that could irritate or burn the skin. However, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider prior to beginning this regimen to make sure it’s suitable for you.
Red light therapy can be done in a number of settings, such as your doctor’s office, medical spa or beauty salon, or even from home with an at-home device. However, for optimal results it should be done in a professional setting by an experienced provider who will monitor your progress and suggest treatment frequencies accordingly.
Due to the severity of your skin issue, it may take an hour for a single session. Therefore, it is usually advised that you do multiple treatments each week until results are visible. Usually, it takes two or three months of daily treatments before you see visible improvements.
Research suggests red light therapy may also help combat oral mucositis, a side effect of chemotherapy that causes painful sores, dryness and burning in the mouth and throat. It could also provide comfort from joint problems like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Furthermore, it can help prevent cold sores from recurring and reduce inflammation associated with herpes simplex virus. Furthermore, it improves wound healing, reduces inflammation and increases range of motion for people suffering from arthritis, back pain or rheumatoid arthritis.
Though red light therapy may offer many potential advantages, more research is necessary to prove its efficacy and safety. Some studies have found no improvement in certain health conditions like psoriasis or cancer symptoms. It remains in its early stages of clinical trials so more investigation will be required in order to fully determine its benefits and safety.
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