Generally
How does red light therapy work?
It is often said that red light therapy (RLT) is the healing wavelengths!
RLT illuminates the body with the same wavelengths as the sun, and has the same health effects as the sun without the harmful UV light. How good does that sound? Let's tell you more.
RLT works by activating photoreceptors in the body's cells and this leads to a series of positive health effects
How does red light therapy compare to ordinary sunlight?
Red light therapy provides an optimal amount of light of the right wavelength and, unlike sunlight, it does not damage the skin as red light therapy does not provide UV light. In the best case, the sun can produce the same effect as weak panels, but as a rule, the panels are much stronger, which also saves time. This is how much energy is absorbed by the skin: Light intensity in different contexts:
What is the difference between red light and near infrared light?
The difference is the wavelengths which are 620-750 nm for red light 750-850 nm for near infrared light (NIR). We can also see red light, while infrared light cannot be perceived by the eyes. The red light does not penetrate as deeply into your tissues, while the NIR penetrates deeper and can actually reach central parts of the brain as well as internal organs.
Does the light therapy panel emit heat?
Red light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation and usually does not generate heat. However, the longer wavelengths, such as NIR, can produce some heat if the power is high enough. This may cause you to experience some heat generation during the treatment.
Skin
How does red light therapy affect my skin?
Red light therapy can stimulate collagen production while increasing blood circulation, which can improve skin quality and function. Red light therapy also seems to have positive effects on wound healing, stretch marks and scar healing. At the same time, possible inflammations are reduced, which takes the edge off inflammatory skin conditions.
Can you use red light therapy as skin care?
Yes, treating the scalp with light therapy can reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. Because red light therapy stimulates the cells in the scalp, the treatment also results in increased hair growth.
Can red light therapy help with psoriasis?
Yes, treating the scalp with light therapy can reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. Because red light therapy stimulates the cells in the scalp, the treatment also results in increased hair growth.
Can red light therapy lead to skin cancer?
No, there are neither such theories nor findings about red light therapy. It is the UV light that the sun gives us that may have increased the risk of skin cancer, and those wavelengths are missing in red light therapy, but are found, for example, in solariums. That is why the radiation protection authority has rules about how tanning beds should be used. The red lamps used in red light therapy are classified as ordinary lamps and are usually not medically classified either.
Medicine
Can red light therapy speed up wound healing?
Red light therapy can facilitate wound healing and shorten recovery time for people who have undergone surgery. It seems that a combination of local treatment on that wound, and a systemic treatment of the whole body is the best.
Can red light therapy help with Alzheimer's disease?<
Red light therapy will not cure the disease, but much research shows that it can alleviate the symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life.
Can red light therapy speed up the healing of fractures and broken bones?
Yes, research has shown that red light therapy can speed healing and reduce pain.
Can light therapy help with depression?
Yes, a lot of research suggests that. However, light therapy should be seen as a complement to other treatment.
Effects
What can I use red light therapy for?
- Red light therapy is used for:
- Stimulation of collagen production, which can improve the quality and function of the skin
- Increased blood circulation in the skin
- Suppression of inflammation
- Improved wound healing
- Reduce stretch marks
- Counteract wrinkles, lines and age changes in the skin
- Treatment of psoriasis, rosacea and eczema
- Reduce scar tissue
- Improve head hair regrowth
- Counteract acne
- Increased cognitive ability, improve physical performance, increase muscle mass, reduce body fat, pain relief, strengthening effects on sun damaged skin, reduce depression, healing broken bones, low thyroid function, reduction of inflammation, relief of autoimmune diseases , age-related visual impairment
Can red light therapy increase the production of free radicals in the mitochondria?
Yes, red light therapy produces a short-term and transient production of free radicals in your mitochondria, just like regular sunlight, exercise or a healthy meal does. Maybe you are thinking that it must be harmful, as free radicals linked to increase oxidative stress and inflammation. This in turn we know is associated with disease and aging, but luckily you don't have to worry about red light therapy. The short-term increase in free radicals does not have time to cause any lasting damage to your cells, but rather stimulates an increase in antioxidants. The net effect is therefore rather a protective and anti-inflammatory effect. However, this is a reason not to overuse the red lights. Too long treatment time/effect can theoretically cause the cup to tip over with an excessive production of free radicals, so follow the manufacturer's recommendations. However, it is very difficult to achieve such a treatment effect, so you do not need to worry at all during normal use.
How does red light therapy affect my energy level?<
Many users feel that red light therapy can increase energy levels and contribute to alertness. A common description of the experience is that you "start the day" with a session of light therapy, but as a rule, a treatment can give an increased experience of energy whenever it is given.
Does red light therapy increase my level of vitamin D in my body?
No, then UV light, which is found in sunlight, is required. However, much research suggests that vitamin D is primarily a marker of sunlight exposure and that a large portion of the health effects associated with the vitamin are actually due to the red and near-infrared light found in red light therapy.
Training
How can I use red light therapy to improve my results at the gym?
Red light therapy is a very exciting and effective technology for those of you who work out at the gym. The results are so tangible and measurable with heavier weights and better body composition. Red light therapy works on several levels and, above all, recovery is faster. You can therefore expect increased strength and performance faster than if you did not use the lamp. Furthermore, muscle growth increases and body fat decreases, so you should also be able to see effects in the mirror quite soon. Any injuries also heal faster, so you get back in the game sooner. It's a good idea to use the light just like anyone else, but many people like to run a session right after training, which is also reasonable in theory.
How can I use red light therapy for recovery and healing?
Scientific studies suggest that red light therapy can improve recovery after physical exertion. Use red light therapy after your workout for best effect, but any time during the day is fine too. In particular, healing from injuries and pain needs NIR (near infrared light) as it is pain-relieving in itself, and it is probably better to split the treatment into a couple of shorter sessions especially in case of pain.
Does red light therapy help with a muscle strain?<
There is evidence to suggest that red light therapy can speed up the healing of muscle injuries.
How does red light therapy affect my muscle mass?<
Red light therapy (RLT) contributes to increased muscle mass as it stimulates a shift in the body between two types of macrophages (M1 becomes M2 to a greater extent) while at the same time increasing performance and the ability to recover. The latter provides more effective training sessions and faster muscle building and thus greater muscle mass.
Use
How long should a red light therapy session last?<
A red light therapy session should last between 10 and 20 minutes. The exact time depends on the effect and coverage area of the product, as well as the specific treatment goal. High-performance devices with wider coverage may require shorter sessions, while smaller devices or treatment of specific problem areas may need longer. Adjust the treatment time according to your needs and the product's specifications for the best results.
How do I know if red light therapy works? What should I feel for?
If you have something you want to treat, such as pain or skin problems, the effect of red light therapy is usually quite obvious. In order to really measure the results of the light therapy, you can take pictures of the skin problems at least once a week during the treatment period, and then compare the different occasions. Pain can also be measured by estimating how severe it is from 1-10, where 10 is the worst and 1 is no pain. Make notes before and after each treatment session so that you get black and white. Memory often fails when it comes to pain sensations in particular. If you use the red light panel for performance enhancement, it is also interesting to keep a record of the results, but of course it can be difficult to distinguish the effect from the lights and other factors that influence, such as diet, rest and training intensity. Otherwise, most people who use the lamp tend to feel a sense of well-being that is obvious, but difficult to put measurement values on.
How far from the red light therapy lamp should you sit?<
The optimal distance from the red light therapy lamp is approximately 10-15 centimeters. The further away you sit, the lower the effect. The lamp's effect is greatest where the light directly hits the body. If you sit further away, you cover a wider area but with a lower intensity. If you sit closer, you treat a smaller area but with greater effect. Therefore, adjust the size and distance of the lamp according to your specific treatment needs for best results.
What time of day can I use red light therapy?
Red light therapy can be used at any time of the day. Discriminating against blue light, red light therapy does not make you alert and can therefore be used with advantage in the evening. It seems to help with sleep problems and some people successfully divide the use of the lamp into one treatment in the morning "to get started" and one in the evening to increase melatonin and fall asleep more easily.