What Is Red Light Therapy (RLT)?
Red light therapy uses the therapeutic application of light energy primarily to aid in the healing of skin and muscular conditions, such as scarring and tendonitis. By exposing the body to a low wavelength of red light (620 to 750 nanometers), RLT stimulates increased energy production in the cells, which may lead to myriad health benefits. RLT is used deliberately as a type of photomedicine, which is the application of light for health and healing purposes. Visible light penetrates biological tissues, such as cells, muscle tissues and nerve tissues—with red and near-infrared (NIR) light going deeper than green, blue or violet light.
How Does Red Light Therapy (RLT) Work?
Red light therapy works by activating your mitochondria, or the powerhouse of the cell. With this boost to the energy center of the cell, the cells can do their jobs—such as healing and growth—more efficiently. To further explain the effectiveness, it’s helpful to compare how RLT works versus traditional skin devices, such as lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL). Lasers cause controlled damage to the skin to trigger an inflammatory reaction to promote wrinkle reduction and reduced redness. Conversely, RLT does not cause trauma to the skin, meaning positive effects are seen without the discomfort, healing time and possible reactive swelling of traditional lasers. In other words, while RLT can penetrate the skin up to 6 millimeters beneath the surface, it doesn’t have to cause damage in order to boost cell activity.
Potential Benefits of Red Light Therapy (RLT)
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The most notable benefit of red light therapy is the improved quality and texture of the skin.
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Fine lines and wrinkles
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Acne
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Scarring
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Wound Healing
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Relief from Pain, Inflammation or Chronic Disease Symptoms
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Acceleration of sports recovery, and injury prevention
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Promotes brain health
Side Effects of Red Light Therapy (RLT)
In general, there are no major side effects of RLT. However, individuals who have a condition with photosensitivity or who are on medications that make them photosensitive should consult your doctor before any RLT sessions and take caution when using RLT. Also, pregnant women may wish to steer clear for now because RLT hasn’t been well studied in relation to pregnancy. It’s always best to check in with a medical professional about the best options to treat your skin condition or medical issue.