7 Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Hi,

Today’s issue is a bit different than normal. We cover the seven big benefits of Red Light Therapy.

7 Benefits of Red Light Therapy

1. Soothes Your Sore Muscles

Ever work out so hard you can't walk down stairs?

Red Light Therapy is like a warm hug for your sore muscles. It helps repair them and even makes athletes run faster and lift more.

Researchers found red light may be able to activate, heal, and regenerate damaged muscle tissue. The studies have shown red light can help enhance sports performance in athletes. Especially when it’s delivered to muscles either before exercise or after exercise.

2. Makes Your Skin Say "Ahh!"

So, 136 people played Red Light guinea pig for science, and guess what?

Their skin started looking as smooth as a baby's bottom! Wrinkles and lines? Gone! But let's pump the brakes for a sec; the company that makes these lights also paid for the study. So maybe take it with a grain of salt, okay?

Another study found evidence supporting Red Light Therapy’s safe and effective use on skin. Red light therapy triggers specific cell-signaling pathways that lead to heightened cell repair, especially in hypoxic (low levels of oxygen) or stressed skin cells.

As the cells repair themselves, this could improve the overall appearance of your skin.

3. Zaps Zits

Tired of acne crashing your face parties? Red light to the rescue! It calms down redness and tells those skin cells to behave better. But it’s not a done deal; especially if you have the kind of acne that laughs at face wash, more research is needed.

There have also been promising studies on the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne with a combination of red light and blue light. However, more research is needed on the long-term effects of red light on acne and the use of red light for severe acne.

4. Slimming Down

Imagine melting away unwanted jiggly bits with just light. Some folks say Red Light Therapy could help you contour your body like a sculptor, but the jury's still out. We need more studies that aren't paid for by the "Red Light, Best Light" fan club.

However, reports from users suggest Red Light Therapy does in fact reduce body fat deposits in the arms, buttocks, thighs and abdomen.

5. Say Hello to More Hair

Bald spots getting you down? Red light might just be your hair's new best friend.

It can make hair thicker where you want it to be. But listen, a lot of these studies might be a bit… let's say, over-eager because they want to sell these gadgets.

A meta-analysis of 11 studies involving 667 people found Red Light Therapy improved hair density and thickness with minimal side effects. Applying treatment for under one hour per week was most effective. Most of the examined studies used red light at wavelengths of 630-660 nanometers (nm), however some studies used dual-wavelength devices.

6. A Helping Hand for Healing

Got a nasty wound? Red light therapy is like the school nurse but cooler. It's especially good for people with tricky wounds like diabetic foot ulcers.

One review of four studies involving 131 people with diabetic foot ulcers found Red Light Therapy demonstrated positive therapeutic outcomes with no major side effects. This suggests Red Light Therapy has the potential to effectively treat diabetic foot ulcers and other wounds.

7. Brain Booster

Lastly, this light could be the "thinking cap" you never knew you needed. Early studies suggest it could help with things like brain injuries.

One study found participants with chronic, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) reported improved sleep and fewer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after scalp application of red and near-infrared light.

Another study showed Red Light Therapy applied to the head can improve symptoms from traumatic events (stroke, traumatic brain injury, and global ischemia), degenerative diseases (dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's), and psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder).

There is also a possibility this type of therapy can improve cognitive function in individuals not suffering from any of these conditions or diseases.

How To Red-Light Your Life

Alright, so you're sold on the whole red light shebang and want to give it a whirl, eh?

Before you go buying everything, Red Light Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. Think of it like your Grandma's secret cookie recipe; the ingredients (or light wavelengths and how often you use it) have to be just right for the perfect batch.

Your healthcare provider can help you craft the perfect recipe for you.

Fancy having a red light at home? You sure can! There are gadgets you can keep on your nightstand and use daily.

But—and this is a big 'but'—some of these devices might be all talk and no action. So be sure to do your research before purchasing anything.

Or, if you're keen on bringing Red Light Therapy into your home sweet home, and don’t want to do all the research you can check out our post on the Best At-Home Red Light Therapy Devices

That’s all for today,

The RLTCo Crew