Does red-light therapy work, and what are the pros and cons?

Red Light Therapy (RLT), as the name implies, is a therapeutic technique where red light of specific wavelengths is used to treat different kinds of skin ailments but also deep tissues.
Red Light Therapy was first tested in the early 1990s when scientists discovered that intense red light from light-emitting diodes improves photosynthesis and aids plant growth. Over the years, experts have found that the same function can be replicated in skin cells. They found that red light particles, when absorbed in the mitochondria- the powerhouse of the cells- improves the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which serves as an energy source for cellular activities, including skin repair and rejuvenation.1


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How does red-light therapy work?

Red light therapy works by strengthening the mitochondria and improving the biochemical synthesis of adenosine triphosphate. Increased production of these energy molecules brings the cells back to life and provides the energy needed for cell synthesis and replication, repair of damaged cells, and other mitochondrial functions.
With increased exposure to red light, the mitochondria increase its ATP synthesis, and this results in increased cellular activity.
Unlike Laser treatment and intense pulsed light (IPL), which involves inflicting controlled damage on the outer layer of the skin and inducing tissue repair through this process, red light therapy doesn’t damage or leave scars on the surface of the skin.
Red light therapy saves patients the pain of the harsh process by penetrating 5 millimeters below the epidermis of the skin and stimulating tissue repair and regeneration from the inside.2

Does red-light therapy really work?

There has been a hype around red-light therapy and the associated benefits, and many people claim that it works like a kind of magic for a myriad of health conditions.
This buzz isn’t just a marketing strategy. While RLT isn’t a universal solution for all kinds of diseases, it’s actually a widely researched topic with over 3000 studies on it, and counting. Many people have claimed that RLT can be used to treat depression, detoxify the body, reduce cellulite, improve immunity, treat neck and back pain, cure acne, and even improve weight loss. Red-light therapy has been shown to be effective in treating some of the above-listed conditions.3 

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • According to studies, red light therapy improves wound healing.4
  • It is used to treat the stiffness of joints.
  • It improves blood circulation.
  • It helps reduce muscle spasm and restless leg.
  • It reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
  • It reduces the signs of aging.

Cons

  • The procedure has to be repeated: One procedure is not enough for you to get the benefits you need from RLT. You’d have to undergo multiple procedures, easily achieved with an at-home device such as ours.
  • You’d need regular treatment to maintain results: Unlike many other medical procedures, for you to keep the effects of red-light therapy, you’d have to undergo the treatment regularly. Once you stop the treatment, your body may relapse back to the ailment you’ve treated. We recommend once a day.
  • Even though there are no reported side effects from research there could arise irritability and headaches.

Conclusion

You need to seek the advice of a professional to know if this procedure is best for you. Our company, Luminousred, provides red light therapy with an expertise and success rate that has proven infallible.
Red light therapy works, but in the end, everyone has to decide for themselves. This is why we have set up a research page for you, where we collected more than 3000 research papers on the topic, that is easily searchable and understandable. Have a look at our products and see if the pros outweigh the cons in your case, and with your wishes and needs.

Get your red light buddy now

We believe everyone should be able to take their health and well-being into their own hands. So we built unique red light therapy devices, giving you affordable access and enabling you to #shinebright when and how you see fit. Get your Luminousred now.

Sources and References:

[1] LED Lights Used in Plant Growth Experiments for Deep Space Missions
[2] 830 nm light-emitting diode (led) phototherapy significantly reduced return-to-play in injured university athletes: a pilot study. 2016
[3] Luminousred Photobiomodulation research database. Powered by Vladimir Heiskanen. Jan 2020
[4] Effects of low-power light therapy on wound healing: LASER x LED

Disclaimer:
This blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease, illness or health issue.

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