You’ve seen it on social media, you’ve seen it in your favorite reality TV show, and you’ve probably seen it at your local salon. Red Light Therapy (RLT) is everywhere! RLT is a form of photomedicine that uses low-wavelength red light to potentially improve your skin’s appearance, such as reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne.
Red light therapy is gaining so much attention because it is pain-free, non-invasive, non-toxic, has zero side effects, and has the potential to really improve the look and texture of your skin.
About Light Therapies
Light therapy has been around for a long time, originating way back in ancient European culture when it was believed that fresh air and sunlight could be used to cure any disease and improve overall health. The lights used during these therapies have drastically changed through the years, but the core idea remains–light may be a key to better health.
Scientists in the 20th century focused on the sun’s effect on the skin by studying the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. They found that UVA rays in particular cause wrinkles and skin discoloration, and may be responsible for certain skin cancers. LED lights have been around since the 1960s, but studying the effects of these lights on the skin has only recently been studied.
Why Red Light?
Different wavelengths of the visible light spectrum correspond to different colors of LED light and penetrate the skin to different depths. Red light penetrates the skin up to 10mm, and near-infrared light, also used in RLT, penetrates up to 40mm. Experts agree that this is the right depth for the light to have an effect on the cells that control collagen production.
Red light therapy is thought to work on the “power plants” of the cells–the mitochondria. The energy in the cells is believed to be increased by the red light, making all of the cells work more efficiently. The cells are stimulated to work harder, making more collagen which enhances the elastin in the skin, giving your skin a smoother appearance.
Why Not Use Laser Therapy on my Skin?
Topical laser treatments have been popular for many people as they promise to get rid of wrinkles and give the face a “fresh look.” These laser treatments also strip off the top layer of your skin, leaving behind tender, raw, and red skin that takes days or weeks to heal. For this reason alone, RLT is probably the better choice.
RLT is very different from laser therapies because it does NOT damage the skin’s surface! RLT bypasses the harsh step of tissue repair by directly stimulating the regeneration of the skin from the inside.
Skin Conditions Where Red Light Therapy May Be Helpful
Red light therapy is thought to possibly improve not only the look of your skin but be beneficial for many other medical issues as well. The common skin conditions that RLT is thought to improve include:
- Wound healing
- Stretch marks
- Wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots
- Facial texture
- Psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema
- Scars
- Sun-damaged skin
- Hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia
- Acne
Red light therapy is also thought to help in the reduction of inflammation, the reduction of chronic pain, the improvement of blood circulation, and improvement of recovery after workouts.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
Red light therapies are considered safe and painless. Because of the bright light, you should always use proper eye protection when using RLT to avoid any damage to your eyes. The therapies are non-invasive, non-toxic, and can be used on all skin types and tones. RLT works from the inside out, so there is no disruption to the appearance of your skin like there is with topical lasers.
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Want to see for yourself how red light therapy can help with your skincare concerns (and so much more)? 10X Health System is now booking appointments for our innovative Superhuman Protocol treatment in Aventura, Florida! Book online today.
