Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red light (approximately 660nm) to penetrate skin and promote skin health. It does this primarily by waking up special cells called fibroblasts, which make collagen, and recharging our mitochondria, which are the power plants located within each of our cells, to produce more energy so that our cells can work better.
– What’s the difference between red light therapy and other types of light therapy (blue light, UV light)?
The shorter the wavelength the shorter the distance traveled into the skin. UV light uses the shortest wavelengths below 400nm vs. blue light, which uses a wavelength of light that is slightly higher at approximately 415-470nm vs. red light at 660nm. UV light will be used for conditions on our skin such as psoriasis, eczema or vitiligo, whereas blue light will dive a little deeper and be able to address acne or precancerous lesions. Red light, with the longest wavelength, can travel much farther into our skin and stimulate collagen and energy production.
– What are the health benefits of red light therapy (for example, pain relief, wound healing, hair growth, etc)? Can you list them out and elaborate a little on how red light may help with each?
Red light has many health benefits:
a. Skin health – By enhancing collagen production, our skin’s texture improves and our wrinkles/fine lines/scars become less evident.
b. Improved Circulation – Red light has been shown to encourage the creation of new capillaries (tiny little blood vessels). This has many positive downstream impacts on our body, such as improved tissue repair and faster recovery.
c. Pain relief – Because of its depth of penetration, red light can reduce inflammation and promote healing, offering relief for individuals with arthritis or fibromyalgia.
d. Muscle bounce back – Since the mitochondria in our cells are energized by red light, producing more cellular energy, our muscles can recover more quickly from an intense workout. Athletes may find less muscle soreness after using red light therapy.
e. Wound healing – Red light can speed up the healing time for wounds, burns and scars by boosting our blood circulation and promoting the growth of new tissue. This is especially helpful in diabetics, who experience delayed wound healing.
f. Hair growth – That’s right! Hair follicles can be stimulated by the increased blood flow that results from red light resulting in thicker and healthier hair.
g. Brain health – The increased blood flow resulting from red light therapy has been shown to benefit memory, focus, mood and even potentially depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
– What are the limitations and potential risks of red light therapy? Are there any contraindications/should certain people not use the devices?
Red light could result in increased redness or pain is generally considered safe. If an individual is taking certain medications, like antibiotics or chemo drugs, you should check to make sure they dont make you sensitive to light therapy.
– What are the different types of red light therapy devices available to consumers today, and can you briefly describe how they work?
There are many different devices available to emit red light depending on the targeted treatment area:
a. Handheld devices – great for beginners and small areas like the face or joints
b. Face masks
c. Panels – these are used to treat larger body areas and generally designed for regular users
d. Full-body pods
e. Hats – used for hair loss
– Do they need to have specific wavelengths/power outputs to be effective? Can you briefly explain why?
Yes, wavelength and power output are critical in determining the effectiveness of red light therapy. The wavelength determines the depth of penetration and the power output determines how much energy actually reaches the target area. In general, the optimal wavelength is 660nm and the optimal power output is a range between 20 and 200mW/cm2 depending on the target:
– Skin rejuvenation: 50-100 mW/cm2
– Pain relief / muscle recovery: 100-150 mW/cm2
– Deeper tissue treatment: above 150 mW/cm2
– What else should someone look for when choosing a red light therapy device?
I would recommend you look to see if the product is FDA approved, for safety assurance as well as if the product offered comes with a warranty. Additionally, pay attention to the power output as well as the number of LED lights (the more the better).
– How often should someone use red light therapy (please include number of times per week and recommended session times)
Generally speaking, I would recommend twice a day, with each session taking between 20 and 30 minutes.
– How often should I use red light therapy?
Depending on what you are using, you can use red light therapy safely for years.
– How close should someone be to the device/red light?
You should follow the specific manufacturer guidelines but in general the closer the better.
– Is red light safe for the eyes/should someone wear eye protection during a session?
I always recommend shielding your eyes during treatment with protective goggles. Regardless, red light is considered safe for the eyes.