The skin is a complex of cells, nerves, and blood vessels constantly exposed to environmental factors such as UV radiation, pollution, bacteria, allergens, and stress. Therefore, free radicals, which cause skin aging, limit the ability of damaged skin to heal when needed.
The red light remedy is a highly effective skin cure that restores the skin’s ability to age.
This article contains information to help everyone learn more about this cure method and what benefits one can expect from red light therapy.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy (RLT) is an effective skin and muscle tissue recovery cure. It involves exposure to small doses of red infrared light.
Infrared light is energy that is not visible to the bare eye but can be felt as warmth in the body.
Red light is comparable to infrared but can be seen with the bare eye. Red light therapy is also known as:
– Low-level laser therapy (LLLT),
– Low-power laser therapy (LLLT)
– Photobiomodulation (PBM)
There are many ongoing analyses, small-issued studies, and online debates on the effectiveness of RLT for medical objectives. Although the results of some studies are encouraging, the full significance of red light therapy has yet to be proved.
When and where did the idea of red light therapy originate?
Dr. Pravin Arany, DDS, an associate Prof. at the University of Buffalo and interim director of the Center for Photobiomodulation at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, says there’s another word for light therapy – photobiomodulation (FBM for short).
It’s known as low-power laser therapy (LLLT), photostimulation, or cold laser therapy.
However, based on a scientific article issued in the Journal of Biophotonics in December 2017, light therapy dates back more than fifty years, as scientific experiments performed by Hungarian physician Endre Mester in the 1960s applying a red laser on rats led to hair growth and wound recovery.
The record of phototherapy is thought to be more than fifty years old.
For a long time, we thought that phototherapy was a con. But a new (and sometimes controversial) study has forced the scientific society to take notice.
In the US, red light therapy is still not considered the most popular science. However, more academic and clinical centers are adopting the technology and offering it to their patients,” says Dr. Amani.
There are centers such as Shepherd University, which enlightens medical professionals and scientists about the usefulness of PBM as a clinical cure, and professional associations such as the North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (NAALT) and the PBM Foundation.
One of the essential applications of red light therapy is skincare, and its popularity is increasing with the advent of inexpensive home-use tools.
How does red light therapy work?
According to the American Association for Laser Medicine, photons (light particles) infiltrate the skin and pass through tissues, activating chromophores (molecules that give specific colors) and leading to cellular transformations.
According to the PBM Foundation, red light therapy also affects mitochondria (cellular powerhouses), building ATP (energy) and promoting recovery.
It is thought to hasten up the healing process. For red light therapy to be effective, specific protocols and dosages must be applied, depending on the health concern.
People should carry out this treatment in a hospital, university, or clinical setting. He recommends against applying red light therapy in salons and spas.
Is red light therapy suitable for you?
Red light therapy is a new method of treating numerous common skin conditions. Although it is yet in its earlier phases, it is a hopeful cure. Anyone interested in the RLT cure should consult their doctor or dermatologist first.
Your dermatologist will need to analyze your skin and make a diagnosis, then discuss the cure options to achieve the desired results. It may or may not include red light therapy.
Even if you are interested in a sure cure, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor if it is suitable, safe, and effective for your skin condition.
Is Red Light Therapy scientifically backed up?
Many experts still need to be convinced that RLT fits all purposes. Studies have shown that it can treat some conditions, but most agree that more research is required.
Red light therapy is still in its infancy, but interest is growing. However, there currently needs to be more evidence for most applications.
Randomized placebo-controlled trials are the most standard type of study to determine the effectiveness of a product.
It means that several people with the same characteristics (age, weight, race, gender, etc.) receive either an experimental cure or a placebo (sham cure) to treat the same condition.
In some studies, they are also compared with other commonly used cures. One can then compare the results between the new treatment and no medication (placebo group) or the ‘current standard of treatment.
Most published RLT studies were conducted in small numbers, did not include a placebo group, were not shown on humans (animal analyses), or were restricted to cell tissue.
However, many researchers consider the results promising, but qualitative studies with large numbers of people are needed.
Is it safe to use RLT at home?
If you search the internet for red light therapy-related products, you will find many. These products are generally safe but may use shorter wavelengths (i.e., less energy) than dermatologists and other qualified skincare specialists.
Therefore, one may require help to attain the expected results. Thus, when buying a red light therapy device, always shield your eyes, follow the guidelines and handle it carefully.
One can promote Red light therapy in beauty spas, salons, saunas, solariums, gyms, and wellness centers, as well as in clinics and at home with bought equipment.
Pay attention to whom and where you get your skin cure. It is always suggested to seek your doctor’s advice about applying RLT for skin conditions and challenges.
Who can apply red light therapy?
Red light therapy is aimed only as an adjuvant cure, and red light therapy is unlikely the only treatment for health and skin issues.
For instance, Experts suggested combining topical cures for acne and wrinkles (such as retinoids) with red light therapy.
However, pregnant women and individuals with heart diseases should avoid red light therapy, says Dr. Liji Thomas. In addition, one should obtain a doctor’s prior approval if certain medical conditions require a cure.
How can red light therapy be used for certain conditions?
Red light therapy is publicized as a remedy for several common skin conditions, including:
– It is effective in enhancing wound healing.
– It is effective in lowering stretch marks.
– It can help lessen wrinkles and spots.
– It helps reduce psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema.
– It can improve the condition of sunburned skin.
– It may help improve hair growth in male pattern baldness.
– It may help reduce acne.
Does RLT work for Anti-aging and Skin Improvement?
Red light laser therapy is a famous cure for skin conditions and symptoms of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines.
In research issued in the Journal of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery in 2014, red light therapy was compared to a control group and showed anti-aging and skin rejuvenation.
Moreover, it was proven effective and safe for intradermal collagen growth compared to a control group.
Red light therapy was also finalized as “a safe non-thermal photobiomodulation cure for skin tissues with a high level of patient satisfaction.”
Issues treated with RLT showed substantial improvements in the following
– Complexion
– Skin tone
– Texture and feel
– Skin dryness
– Indications of wrinkles and fine lines
– Collagen density as measured by ultrasound.
Patients with rosacea and facial redness, which could not accept high-temperature laser cures, were also relieved when applying PBM skin care products.
Another anti-aging effect of red light therapy for wound healing is fixing hair loss and restoring hair growth in hair follicles.
Results of hair regrowth studies are mixed, but at least a moderate percentage of male and female patients report good results with PBM in restoring hair baldness/loss.
– Red light therapy may promote skin health.
– It stimulates collagen production, giving the skin structure, firmness, and elasticity.
– It increases the production of collagen-producing fibroblasts. Collagen is a component of the connective tissue that makes up the skin.
16 Benefits of Applying Red Light Therapy for Anti-aging
– Research has shown that red light waves promote overall health.
– It helps increase energy levels by stimulating the release of (adenosine triphosphate).
– It helps to activate DNA/RNA synthesis.
– It activates the lymphatic system, an essential part of the immune system that removes waste from the body.
– It improves blood flow and circulation so oxygen and nutrients reach cells and tissues.
– New capillaries (tiny blood vessels) are formed.
– It enhances the natural production of collagen and fibroblasts, essential for skin care, joint health, and digestive system health.
– Restores and revives destroyed connective tissues.
– It stimulates or stops inflammation and regulates the body’s natural healing processes.
– Reduces damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals, which contribute to aging.
– Boosts immunity and reduces the side effects of cancer cure.
– It Promotes wound healing and tissue regeneration.
– It helps with anti-aging effects on skin and hair loss.
– It improves joint and musculoskeletal health.
– It Improves sleep quality.
– It Reduces depression and fatigue.
Although the study shows that RLT has the above benefits, there is no concrete proof to establish whether it is also helpful for other conditions like cancer, depression, and compromised body resistance function. Also, only typical wavelengths could be more helpful.
Risks and side effects of applying Red Light Therapy
Low-energy laser light therapy is well tolerated and has few side effects. Still, it is questionable whether it is effective for all patients.
One of the challenges researchers face when gathering results from studies of red light therapy is determining the optimal range of light to treat different conditions and patients.
According to published studies, CRT can cause adverse reactions if the wrong light source or light intensity is used.
There is an optimal amount of light for each application, with the lowest light being optimal for red light therapy.
What are the side effects of applying red light therapy?
– Fire
– Swelling
– Dizziness
– Muscle weakness
– Nausea.
Remember that red light therapy may require patience to achieve results, and reactions may vary.
Therefore, any skin treatment should always be carried out with a qualified PBM specialist, and you should report any side effects experienced.
Conclusion…Secrets dermatologists won’t tell you regarding the use of red light therapy.
Red light therapy is a simple and effective cure with numerous health benefits, including cellular health, recovery, sleep, skin health, and inflammation relief. But your genetic makeup plays a huge role in getting great skin.
You might wonder why you must learn about your genetic makeup before undergoing red light therapy for skin care.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, a barrier to keeping out harmful substances.
Genes affect how your body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
In addition to lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and stress management, nutritional supplements can be beneficial.
By testing your genetic makeup before applying a red light therapy device to your skin, you can obtain more desirable results with less money spent on products that may not work for you or are harmful to your skin.
This knowledge will enable you to make the best skincare and overall well-being decisions.
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