Red Light Therapy Benefits

What is red light therapy (RLT)?

Red light therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses red low-level wavelengths of light to treat skin issues, including wrinkles, scars, and persistent wounds.

Using red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the 1990s, scientists found that intense light helped promote growth and photosynthesis of plant cells.

The positive health benefits of red light were then studied more carefully and scientists found that RLT increased energy inside human cells. Researchers hoped that this would treat muscle atrophy, slow wound healing, and bone mineral density issues often experienced by astronauts during space travel.

Red light therapy, also known as red light treatment, is beneficial for your health.

• photobiomodulation (PBM)
• low level light therapy (LLLT)
• soft laser therapy
• cold laser therapy
• biostimulation
• photonic stimulation
• low-power laser therapy (LPLT)

When light is used with a photosensitizing medication in photodynamic therapy, it activates the medication.

Red light therapy is beneficial for many conditions. Red light beds are used by spas to reduce cosmetic skin issues, like stretch marks and wrinkles. Meanwhile, lower intensity red lights are used in an medical office setting to treat more serious conditions such as psoriasis, slow-healing wounds, and even the side effects of chemotherapy.

Although there is evidence that RLT may be a promising treatment method, more research needs to be done on how it works.

How does red light therapy work?

Red light has many beneficial health effects. In theory, red light works by strengthening mitochondria whose primary function is to create energy in the form of ATP which is found in all cells.

By increasing the function of the mitochondria using RLT, a cell can make more ATP. Enhanced energy availability will enable cells to rejuvenate themselves and repair damage.

RLT works by transmitting waves of light directly into the skin, instead of causing damage to the outer layer. RLT is different from laser and IPL treatments because it does not damage the skin surface.

How is red light therapy used?

Since the experiments in space done years earlier, hundreds of clinical and thousands of laboratory studies have been conducted to determine if RLT has medical benefits.

However, several studies have had promising results. CMS acknowledges the potential benefits of red light therapy but has not authorized reimbursement for its use in treating wounds, ulcers, and pain.

Here is a list of suggested benefits of RLT:

• promotes wound healing and tissue repair
• improves hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia
• help for the short-term treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
• stimulates healing of slow-healing wounds, like diabetic foot ulcers
• reduces psoriasis lesions
• aids with short-term relief of pain and morning stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis
• reduces some of the side effects of cancer treatments, including oral mucositis
• improves skin complexion and builds collagen to diminish wrinkles
• helps to mend sun damage
• prevents recurring cold sores from herpes simplex virus infections
• improves the health of joints in people with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee
• helps diminish scars
• relieves pain and inflammationTrusted Source in people with pain in the Achilles tendons

Currently, RLT isn’t widely endorsed or covered by insurance companies for these conditions despite the fact there are documented benefits.

A few insurance companies now also cover the use of RLT to prevent oral mucositis during cancer treatment.

But does red light therapy really work?

There is some evidence showing that red light therapy does the following, although it was not established in randomized trials:

• may help to treats depression, seasonal affective disorder, and postpartum depression
• may help to activates the lymphatic system to help “detoxify” the body
• may help to boosts the immune system
• may help to reduces cellulite
• may help to aid in weight loss
• may help to treat back or neck pain
• fights periodontitis and dental infections
• cures acne
• may help to treat cancer

It’s important to note that when RLT is used with cancer treatments, it activates another medication. Some light therapy has been effective for conditions above in more limited circumstances (e.g. white light for depression).

Are there similar treatment options?

Although red light is widely studied for its medical benefits, blue light and green light have also been examined.

Furthermore, different ranges of wavelengths can be used in combination to treat various conditions.

• laser treatments
• natural sunlight
• blue or green light therapy
• sauna light therapy
• ultraviolet light B (UVB)
• psoralen and ultraviolet light A (PUVA)

Side effects

While red light therapy does have mild painless side effects, there are reports of burns and blistering. Some people developed burns due to falling asleep with the unit in place or from broken wires and device corrosion.

Although red light therapy is considered safer than lasers on our eyes, you should take proper safety measures before beginning treatment.

Takeaway

RLT may be another tool in your health regiments. It is not curative, but data shows that it adds considerable benefits to other health regiments.