What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy has been around for more than 50 years. It’s said to have been discovered in 1967 by a researcher named Endre Mester at Semmelweis Medical University in Hungary. While attempting to replicate an experiment that used a ruby laser to cure tumors in rats, he discovered that his lower-powered laser didn’t eradicate any tumors but did inspire faster hair growth and better wound healing in rats.
Since that time, red light therapy has gone by more than 75 aliases, including low-level light/laser therapy, cold laser therapy, monochromatic infrared light energy therapy, and photostimulation.
RLT was used by scientists to help grow plants in space. The scientists found that the intense light from red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) helped promote the growth and photosynthesis of plant cells.
Red Light Therapy (RLT) has recently gained popularity due to its non-invasive, cost-effective, and risk-free anti-aging and healing properties. This unique treatment has been scientifically proven to improve the appearance of skin including wrinkles, crow’s feet, fine lines, and much more! RLT is UV-free and safe for all ages and skin types.
Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that may help skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of your body heal. It exposes you to low levels of red or near-infrared light. Infrared light is a type of energy your eyes can’t see, but your body can feel as heat. Red light is similar to infrared, but you can see it.
Within the “therapeutic window”, scientists have discovered that certain wavelengths of light have a unique ability to activate cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), the last enzyme in the respiratory electron chain transport of the mitochondria. During the fourth phase of cellular respiration (oxidative phosphorylation), specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light break the bond between nitric oxide and CCO. This allows oxygen to bind to NADH, restoring the normal pathway for hydrogen ions to create the electrochemical potential that produces ATP (cellular energy). A simple way to think of this process is that photons essentially charge your cellular batteries.
Red Light Therapy (RLT) works by producing a biochemical effect in cells that strengthen the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell — it’s where the cell’s energy is created.
The energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things is called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). By increasing the function of the mitochondria using RLT, a cell can make more ATP. With more energy, cells can function more efficiently, rejuvenate themselves, and repair damage.
The Role and Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is also called low-level laser therapy (LLLT), low-power laser therapy (LPLT), and photobiomodulation (PBM).
You may have heard of red light therapy (RLT) by its other names, which include:
- photobiomodulation (PBM)
- low-level light therapy (LLLT)
- soft laser therapy
- cold laser therapy
- biostimulation
- photonic stimulation
- low-power laser therapy (LPLT)
RLT is a straightforward procedure involving exposing the body to low-wavelength red light. Low-level laser light therapy is another name for the process, though RLT may be more common. This red light is natural and can penetrate deep into the skin, where the cells can absorb and use it. As a study in the journal Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery notes, mitochondria in the skin cells can absorb these light particles. This can help the cells produce more adenosine triphosphate, which is the energy source for all cells. Many experts attribute the potential positive benefits of RLT to this function. With this extra energy, the cells may be able to respond better to damage and rejuvenate themselves. Although there is early research surrounding RLT, there is still no conclusive evidence that it is a beneficial treatment. Many studies show that the treatment has promise, but more extensive clinical studies in humans will help determine the potential applications of RLT.
Red LED light therapy is part of the visible spectrum, specifically the 630 to 700-nanometer range. It is generally used to treat conditions like acne or skin ulcers, but it can also be used to promote wound healing, treat skin infections and relieve pain.
Because of the wavelength of red light on the electromagnetic scale, it is best at penetrating skin cells. It stimulates the production of collagen, which rejuvenates the skin and improves the look of wrinkles and fine lines like crow’s feet around the eyes.
But this stimulation of collagen production may also be able to help those who suffer from arthritis. Red light can also help in repairing the damage done to the skin by the sun. Some experts suggest it can also help alleviate the darkness of scars on the skin as well as stretch marks. Click here to find out more about our red light LED anti-aging photo facial, plus get a special offer for a limited time.
Unlike red light, infrared light is invisible and has a wavelength of 700 to 1200 nanometers on the electromagnetic scale. Instead of seeing infrared light, we feel it as heat, and the human body naturally gives off infrared energy, making it a safe treatment that is also effective.
Because of its long wavelength, infrared light can penetrate through the skin to the deeper tissues of the body, giving it the potential to help patients who suffer from ailments caused by inflammation such as chronic pain, and those with poor circulation.
Because infrared light is felt as heat, it makes the body sweat. This makes infrared light helpful for those who want to release impurities. This heat can also stimulate the metabolism and help those trying to lose weight.
Here are the top benefits of red light therapy:
1. Red Light Therapy For Skin Problems
One of the great successes of this technology is the use of red light therapy for skin problems. It can help accelerate the ability of the skin to heal and can be used to address various skin-related problems including:
2. Red Light Therapy For Acne & Acne Marks
The red light is not used for killing bacteria that cause acne, but it helps reduce inflammation caused by acne.
Blue light is actually used for killing the bacteria that cause acne.
Red light penetrates the skin at different levels and powers up the cells to repair the skin from the inside out.
It helps repair skin tissues destroyed by acne. This leads to faster healing of acne and prevents further damage of skin tissues that can lead to acne scars.
3. Bruises
Bruises are caused by blood leaking into the tissues of the skin. Either through broken capillaries or direct trauma.
The blood cannot get out of the body without any break at the skin surface, so it gives off a bluish hue often referred to as a bruise.
Red light delivers nutrient-rich blood to the area quickly, and repairs and aids in the formation of new capillaries.
4. Insect And Animal Bites
Due to the ability of red light to accelerate healing, punctures or bite wounds to the skin will be healed faster due to the increased flow of blood to the area.
5. Old Age Skin Wrinkles
Wrinkles start to creep up on the face or neck due to the loss of collagen. Red light therapy helps boost the production of collagen and fibroblasts to help correct the signs of aging. It works on forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, laugh lines, and under-eye wrinkles.
6. Red Light Therapy For Stretch Marks And Scars
Stretch marks are caused by sagging skin, either from aging or weight loss. Red light can stop the creation of stretch marks by helping your body to produce more collagen.
It also helps to lighten and diminish the appearance of scars as well as improve your overall skin tone.
7. Wound Healing
Fibroblasts in the skin maintain connective tissue, synthesize collagen, and are essential for wound healing. Red light therapy helps stimulate fibroblasts to do their job and boosts blood circulation to promote faster wound repair.
People have also used this form of therapy for amputation injuries, burns, infected wounds, and skin grafts.
It has been used successfully for treating skin damage caused by cancer treatments, including those in the mucus membranes and mouth.
Researchers in a 2014 study discovered that red light therapy considerably improved colitis symptoms in mice. The therapy helped in mucosal healing.
Red therapy lights have also been used successfully by dentists to heal abrasions and sores in the mouth’s mucus membranes. It has also been found to be effective in treating recurring cold sores along the mouth.
8. Improved Collagen Production and Circulation
Once the red light penetrates through the skin’s dermal and epidermal layers, it boosts circulation and helps form new capillaries. It also boosts collagen and fibroblast production.
Red light therapy helps improve collagen levels by stimulating the body to produce more of its own collagen. This is a really big deal since collagen comprises about 70 percent of the protein in the skin.
Increased collagen production does not just give skin a wrinkle-free glow, but its ability to promote joint health makes it a great option for people suffering from arthritis.
9. Red light therapy boosts circulation and the production of ATP energy throughout the body, which can help accelerate healing in times of illness.
It also stimulates lymph system activity as well as phagocytosis, which is the process of the cells cleaning house.
Red therapy light might be used to modulate the immune system, but a 2006 study involving mice found that over-treatment resulted in suppression of the immune system. What the study found was that 10 days of treatment produced positive effects, but longer periods had negative effects.
It is still not clear how beneficial this form of therapy is for the immune system since not a lot of research has been done in this area.
10. A Proven Hair Loss Remedy
When it comes to natural hair loss remedies, it seems that red light therapy takes the crown.
There were two identical studies, one for women and one for men.
The women and men had androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or what is commonly called pattern hair loss.
They were treated every other day for 25 minutes. The treatments continued for four months.
The women and the men had a significant amount of new hair growth.
11. Red Light Therapy Weight Loss
It might sound impossible to lose weight by shining red lights on the fatty areas of the body. However, this is actually backed by science.
Red light makes it easier for people to lose weight since it makes the fat cells dump their contents, thus making it easier for fats to be removed from the body.
If red light is used on fatty tissues, it causes those fats to break down. The fats are subsequently converted to carbon dioxide, which is excreted from the body through various processes including breathing out, defecating, and urinating.
You don’t actually need powerful lasers to get rid of the fat cells. You also don’t have to undergo liposuction or other surgical procedures to get rid of excess fat.
Even simple LEDs can help you get rid of excess weight. To do the work, you need the correct wavelengths between 630 and 680nm.
Your red light therapy weight loss gains can be wiped out if you fail to make the lifestyle changes needed to support your weight loss.
You won’t appreciate the benefits of red light therapy if you keep bingeing on junk food and salty snacks. You need to eat better foods and exercise regularly to get the most benefits from red light therapy.
12. Reducing Depression And Anxiety
Exposure to near-infrared light is beneficial for individuals suffering from depression and anxiety.
In a study of ten patients with major depression were treated with near-infrared light therapy to the forehead. Six of the ten no longer had depression, and 7 of the ten no longer had anxiety.
SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder, can be treated by red light therapy but is generally treated with daylight therapy.
The Aura Day Light Therapy Lamp is a good choice for treating SAD.
The newer LED Verilux HappyLight is much thinner and easy to transport.
It is believed that the correlation between red light therapy and mood enhancement is linked to the philosophies of Chinese medicine.
Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that energy travels throughout the body along meridian points or chakra zones.
If one of the pathways is obstructed for any reason, illness will occur.
Light is a type of energy that penetrates deep into the tissues and the treatments are believed to restore the pathways in a way similar to acupuncture.
13. Increased Testosterone Levels And Fertility in Men
Research studies have supported the notion that exposure of the testes to 670 nm wavelength light can help increase testosterone levels.
It is very important to use a device that produces the correct wavelengths without producing a lot of heat.
Testosterone is a hormone present in all humans, but it is produced in women in lesser quantities.
The production of testosterone starts to increase considerably during puberty and starts dipping after age 30 or so.
It is perfectly normal, but it can lead to reduced sexual function, an increase in fat, a decline in muscle, and reduced energy levels.
Red light therapy is a great way to boost testosterone levels in men naturally. A balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress can help too.
One study showed that male fertility could be improved with 830 nm near-infrared light therapy.
14. Improved Thyroid Function
Red light therapy has the potential for improved thyroid function and there are several compelling studies looking at this.
One 2013 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study examined the benefits of light therapy on chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.
The study showed an overall improvement in thyroid health from light therapy.
Participants of the study were able to either reduce or completely stop using their thyroid medication.
In fact, about 47 percent of study participants no longer needed medication during the whole 9-month follow-up after the light therapy treatment.
It was shocking since most people had been told that they would have to use thyroid medication for the rest of their lives.
It is highly affordable and doesn’t have an effect on the psychological condition of the user, unlike the dopamine-based medications currently used for treating the condition.
User feedback on red light therapy
1. “When I re-started the therapy, I actually did notice a visible reduction in the stretch marks. You do need to keep going consistently, and you don’t start noticing the results until you are into your second month, but it does actually work to help your skin repair. I was really surprised, to be honest with you. Like many of you, I will try just about anything if there is a chance that something will work–on wrinkles, on stretch marks, for weight loss, on cellulite–come on, we’re women! We want to look our best and get there easily if possible! Most of the time, like you, I’m disappointed. Stick with this, it does work. It’s not overnight, but it does work. Try the introductory month, follow the instructions, and then follow through with at least a second month to give it the chance to work.”
2. “My husband is using this LED infrared device to treat pain from neurorrhaphy in his feet twice daily for 20 minutes. So far it appears to provide some temporary relief. Long-term results are unknown as he has only been using it for about 2 weeks.”
3. “I got back pain (tends to be slipped disc) for several years because of all-day-long sitting in front of the computer. The light system came quickly and a pretty well-packed. It feels so comfortable and I really felt that my back pain was reducing after 20 minutes-use, now I was able to sit all night long feeling less pain and having better sleep. The doctor said that I’m less likely to suffer from a slipped disc now and recommends I use it definitely.”
4. “I have used red light therapy for many years. It is great for deep tissue repair and pain. I have been in the natural medicine area for a long time, I am a Certified Medical Herbalist, know several natural doctors and red light therapy is the way to go for inside-body tissue healing.”
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Published by reddotled.com (Repost Tips)