Red Light Therapy, or RLT, is a treatment that uses low wavelength red light tp improve your skin’s appearance, reducing wrinkles, scars, redness and acne. There’s a lot of ongoing research, publication of small studies and a much discussion on the internet about the effectiveness of red light therapy for all types of health uses.
Red Light Therapy
Red Light Therapy
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy is thought to work by acting on the “power plant” in your body’s cells called mitochondria. With more energy, other cells can do their work more efficiently, such as repairing skin, boosting new cell growth and enhancing skin rejuvenation. More specifically, certain cells absorb light wavelengths and are stimulated to work.
Red light therapy may work in skin health to:
• Stimulate collagen production, which gives skin its structure, strength and elasticity.
• Increase fibroblast production, which makes collagen. Collagen is a component of connective tissue that builds skin.
• Increase blood circulation to the tissue.
• Reduce inflammation in cells.
Potential Benefits of Red Light Therapy
There are many potential uses and benefits of red light therapy.
Preliminary scientific results look very promising. nt with red light therapy.
Improves for Skin and Hair Conditions
Using light to affect positive skin changes is not new. Dermatologists have employed various light wavelengths in treatments for over 50 years. One of the most commonly cited benefits of red light therapy is improvements to quality and texture of the skin.
Fine lines and wrinkles.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that red light therapy shows promise for positive skin rejuvenation effects by boosting fibroblasts—which make collagen and, in turn, gives skin its structure, strength and elasticity.
Acne
Light therapy has been used to treat acne for years, especially in conjunction with medications and therapies meant to enhance the light absorption. One recent, small study showed that treating acne with red light therapy reduced mild and moderate breakouts by 36%.
Scarring
Though more clinical trials are needed, there is a growing body of evidence that red light therapy may help modulate key cell characteristics that contribute to scarring. In this case, red light therapy is used to reduce collagen production in scar tissue, improving or preventing thickening scars.
Wound healing
Difficult-to-heal wounds like diabetic ulcers present a major skin treatment issue. Red light therapy is showing promise when used for the acceleration of healing. Researchers posit that it is once again likely the increase in cell mitochondria activity, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen production that may contribute to this potentially positive red light therapy effect.
Hair growth
Red light therapy has been shown to reduce the effects of androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss. By decreasing inflammation and increasing blood flow and circulation to the scalp, it has the potential to bring more cell activity and nutrients to that area.
Relief from Chronic Disease Symptoms/Reduction of Pain
One potential application of red light therapy is to treat chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. Red light therapy may also reduce neuropathy pain, according to recent research. It may mitigate the painful side effects of some cancer treatments.
Enhancement of Fat Loss
There are a few studies showing that the application of red light may affect adipocytes, the cells that store fat.
Acceleration of Sports Recovery, and Injury Prevention
Red light therapy may be promising when it comes to the treatment and prevention of a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Promotion of Brain Health
Research is increasingly demonstrating the benefits of using red light therapy for dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and other brain conditions. This may be particularly helpful for individuals dealing with memory or mood conditions.
Parkinson’s Disease Management
Red light therapy may also help patients with Parkinson’s disease manage their symptoms and sleep/wake cycles. Researchers believe that red light therapy for brain disorders will become one of the most important medical applications in the coming years and decades.