Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation (PBM), is an emerging treatment for some skin conditions. It’s gaining popularity as a holistic approach to healthy, glowing skin.
The technology works by exposing your skin to a lamp, device or laser that emits red and blue light. The wavelengths of the light stimulate cells to produce energy, promoting healing.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a treatment that uses low levels of red or near-infrared light to help heal skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of the body. The treatment is also called photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or low-power laser therapy (LPLT).
It works by exposing your skin to LED red lights in handheld devices, panels, or full-body beds. It’s often performed in a doctor’s office, but some salons and dental offices also offer it.
The light is said to stimulate your cells and trigger your body’s natural healing process. It can be helpful for conditions like psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. In addition, it may improve your sleep, reduce inflammation, and enhance mental acuity.
Studies have found that red light helps reduce oxidative stress, which can cause cell damage. It also increases your body’s ability to make ATP, the energy currency of your cells. ATP production is important for cellular function, including growth and repair.
Your mitochondria, the power generators inside your cells, soak up the energy from the light and use it to produce more ATP, which then boosts your overall health and well-being. The increase in ATP production may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, fatigue, pain, and other health concerns.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of red light may be helpful in reducing oral wounds and other types of skin infections. In rats, for example, red light treatment balanced inflammatory markers and prevented cell death in a model of head injury.
While research is still ongoing, there are promising uses for red light therapy that include reducing side effects of cancer treatment, improving wound healing, assisting with certain skin conditions, and preventing hair loss. It also has been shown to help with arthritis, pain, and musculoskeletal disorders.
It’s also thought to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce aging signs, and even fight skin infections. It also promotes a healthy complexion by decreasing inflammation and regulating collagen production.
While it’s important to check with your doctor before trying red light therapy, it’s a safe and effective treatment option for many people. Just keep in mind that it may take a few sessions to see results.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation) works by sending low-intensity, low-power, red or near-infrared light deep into the body’s cells to stimulate healing. It’s a form of noninvasive, painless light therapy that can be used to treat a wide variety of health and cosmetic concerns.
It works by boosting cellular energy and stimulating multiple nervous system and metabolic processes, says Dr. Mark Baron, a dermatologist in New York City. When paired with photosensitizing medications, it can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain and boost skin health.
The technology behind red light therapy has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that it got widespread popularity among consumers and healthcare professionals. Typically, a device with red or near-infrared LED bulbs is kept a short distance away from the skin for about 15 minutes to treat a range of concerns.
These devices may be sold as face masks, light panels or wands that are pressed against the skin to target specific areas of concern. The light penetrates about 5 millimeters below the skin’s surface and can have positive effects on the underlying skeletal structure and nerve fibers.
For example, red light has been shown to help improve muscle recovery by reducing the inflammatory response that causes muscle damage. This can make it an effective treatment for conditions like tennis elbow and chronic low back pain, according to research.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, red light has also been shown to help promote wound healing. The red spectrum of the light is absorbed by wound cells to induce a growth factor, explains Arany. This can help prevent scarring and accelerate tissue repair, especially for oral wounds.
Similarly, red light can reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The light stimulates blood flow to the area, reducing swelling and stiffness.
Another benefit of red light is that it can relieve pain, even after a traumatic injury or surgery. For this reason, it’s often used in conjunction with analgesic medications to help reduce side effects from chemotherapy treatments.
Red light therapy is generally safe to use, though some people experience mild dryness of the skin following a treatment. However, this may go away in a few days. It is important to note that the frequency at which you should use a red light bed is dependent on your condition and overall health, so it’s best to speak with your doctor or nurse about this.
What Are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a new and popular treatment that has been used to help treat skin conditions, pain, and even brain health. But the benefits of this type of light therapy aren’t yet fully understood, and some studies have conflicting results.
In-office treatments are typically done in a doctor’s office or salon, but you can also get red light therapy at home. It’s a safe, noninvasive and affordable way to reduce inflammation, heal wounds and reduce pain.
If you have a skin condition like acne, rosacea, or psoriasis, red light therapy may help reduce breakouts and regulate collagen production. It may also stimulate the skin’s natural ability to heal and renew itself.
Researchers believe that exposing your skin to red light for 5 to 20 minutes increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a compound that stores and provides energy to your cells. When ATP levels are high, your body can better repair wounds and damaged tissue.
Those who suffer from chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, may find that RLT can ease their symptoms. It is also useful for those with a history of chronic illness or injury, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Tendinitis is another condition that may be improved with RLT, according to one small study. In the study, people with Achilles tendinitis received RLT and experienced reduced inflammation and pain.
Other research has shown that RLT may help improve the appearance of sagging skin, wrinkles and other signs of aging. It has been shown to smooth the skin, improve pore size and reduce redness and inflammation.
Aside from its esthetic benefits, red light therapy can also help boost your immune system. It has been shown to boost the levels of immune cells called T-cells, which are vital for protecting your body from infection.
You can also get a number of different at-home devices that emit red light, some of which are sold online. However, many of these devices use lower wavelengths and don’t penetrate as deep into the skin. This means they’re not as effective, and some of them can damage your skin.
How Often Should I Use Red Light Therapy?
There’s no exact answer to this question because everyone is different, but a good rule of thumb is to try 3-5 sessions per week at 10-to-20-minute intervals. You should start slowly and then work your way up to more frequent treatments, but keep in mind that you’ll need to be consistent for results to show.
Red light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation, which uses specific wavelengths of light to boost the body’s natural healing processes. It works by increasing the activity of cells’ mitochondria, which is where energy is created. The increased energy can help the cell function more efficiently and repair damage, says Arany.
A common use for red light therapy is to treat chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Studies have shown that consistent red light treatment can reduce the symptoms of these conditions.
Another use for red light therapy is to improve wound healing. For example, if you have a bruise, it can take a while to heal, so using red light to promote blood circulation and nutrient delivery can help speed up recovery time.
Lastly, red light can also be used to soothe muscle pain and joint pain. One study found that people who used an infrared LED panel (800 to 1200 nm) positioned 8″ to 14″ from their back for 10 to 20-minute sessions daily experienced significant relief.
If you’re interested in trying red light for a particular condition, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first. He or she can help you determine the best schedule and ensure you’re doing it safely and effectively.
It’s also a good idea to consult with a therapist or esthetician to learn more about your specific needs and how to best manage your skin and body before beginning a treatment program. They can help you select the right device and make sure you’re getting the most out of your sessions.
Many people use a handheld red light device for home use, but you can also find booths at spas and salons where you can get a treatment. There are also at-home devices that can be plugged into a wall socket, so you can easily use them anywhere.