Information red light therapy
"The possibilities of red light for the treatment of various health and aesthetic problems are just becoming known thanks to the interest of researchers, universities, and hospitals, and thanks to home-use devices that make it more accessible."
"Red light therapy (RLT) is a form of photomedicine, which stands for 'the use of light to treat skin and other health issues,' says Jared Jagdeo, MD, the founder of the Center for Photomedicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York."
History of red light therapy
"There is another term for light therapy, namely photobiomodulation (abbreviated as PBM), says Praveen Arany, PhD, DDS, associate professor at the University of Buffalo and interim director of the photobiomodulation expertise center at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Other terms for the same are low-level laser therapy (LLLT), photostimulation, and cold laser therapy," he says.
Light therapy has been around for more than 50 years. It was discovered by Hungarian physician Endre Mester in the 1960s when scientific experiments with red lasers on rats led to hair growth and wound healing, according to a research article published in December 2017 in the Journal of Biophotonics. Over the years, light therapy has largely been considered a hoax. But with new research (some contradictory), the scientific community is beginning to take notice.
"At this moment, red light therapy is still considered non-mainstream science in the United States. But there are more and more academic and clinical centers applying the technology and making it available to patients," says Dr. Arany.
"There are now centers, such as that of Shepherd University, that focus on training healthcare professionals and scientists about the legitimacy of PBM as a clinical treatment, as well as professional organizations, such as the North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (NAALT) and the PBM Foundation. One of the more popular applications of red light therapy is skincare, and the availability of affordable home devices has increased its popularity."
How red light therapy works
"Photobiomodulation uses light with a specific wavelength. This ranges from 400 nanometers (nm) (blue) to 1,200 nm (near-infrared), says Arany. Red light has a wavelength between 620 and 750 nm, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research[2]. This is visible light."
"Blue, green, and red light are all effectively used for the treatment of PBM," he says. Near-infrared light, a light with a longer wavelength (up to 1,200 nm), is also used in PBM and is available in infrared saunas. Although this light appears red, it is red in the skin. Although this light appears red, infrared light is actually not visible and heats the body from the inside to bring about physiological changes."
"Especially red light therapy has become more popular in recent years and is perhaps the most well-known and easily accessible. 'Devices with red light are easier to produce and available everywhere,' says Arany."
How does it work?
"When photons (light particles) are placed near the skin, they penetrate the tissue and activate chromophores (a part of a molecule that gives it its color), causing changes in cells, according to the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery. Additionally, red light therapy also affects the mitochondria (the powerhouses of cells), generating ATP (energy) to promote healing, according to the PBM Foundation."
"To make red light therapy work, specific protocols and dosages must be used, depending on your health issue. If possible, seek this treatment in a hospital, university, or clinical setting. He advises against red light therapy in salons or spas."
"Devices with red light can be purchased and used at home for skin care, and they are usually safe to use as directed," says Dr. Jagdeo.
Types of red light therapy
"Devices for red light therapy have red LED lamps that are used as handheld devices, LED panels, or full-body beds, depending on the reason for treatment. Some devices use both red light and near-infrared light."
Possible benefits of red light therapy
Although research on red light therapy is promising, there are still conflicting studies - and some show no benefits for certain health conditions. Overall, the studies need to be more standardized (in dosage and timing), depending on the condition, so that scientists and practitioners can fully understand the benefits of red light therapy. Below are potential promising applications of red light therapy according to experts.
Improves a youthful appearance of the skin
One of the most mentioned benefits of red light therapy is its effects on the skin. It can be used to:
Redness therapy
"Red light therapy reduces inflammation to address redness, acne, and hair growth, making topical or oral treatments for these conditions work even better," says Jagdeo. Additionally, when it comes to eliminating pimples, "red light therapy enhances our immune defense against the bacteria associated with the formation of acne," he adds.
"For lines and wrinkles, these treatments target enzymes involved in the breakdown of collagen and stimulate collagen production, according to the Cleveland Clinic."
"Red light therapy (RLT) is a form of photomedicine, which stands for 'the use of light to treat skin and other health issues,' says Jared Jagdeo, MD, the founder of the Center for Photomedicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York."
History of red light therapy
"There is another term for light therapy, namely photobiomodulation (abbreviated as PBM), says Praveen Arany, PhD, DDS, associate professor at the University of Buffalo and interim director of the photobiomodulation expertise center at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Other terms for the same are low-level laser therapy (LLLT), photostimulation, and cold laser therapy," he says.
Light therapy has been around for more than 50 years. It was discovered by Hungarian physician Endre Mester in the 1960s when scientific experiments with red lasers on rats led to hair growth and wound healing, according to a research article published in December 2017 in the Journal of Biophotonics. Over the years, light therapy has largely been considered a hoax. But with new research (some contradictory), the scientific community is beginning to take notice.
"At this moment, red light therapy is still considered non-mainstream science in the United States. But there are more and more academic and clinical centers applying the technology and making it available to patients," says Dr. Arany.
"There are now centers, such as that of Shepherd University, that focus on training healthcare professionals and scientists about the legitimacy of PBM as a clinical treatment, as well as professional organizations, such as the North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (NAALT) and the PBM Foundation. One of the more popular applications of red light therapy is skincare, and the availability of affordable home devices has increased its popularity."
How red light therapy works
"Photobiomodulation uses light with a specific wavelength. This ranges from 400 nanometers (nm) (blue) to 1,200 nm (near-infrared), says Arany. Red light has a wavelength between 620 and 750 nm, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research[2]. This is visible light."
"Blue, green, and red light are all effectively used for the treatment of PBM," he says. Near-infrared light, a light with a longer wavelength (up to 1,200 nm), is also used in PBM and is available in infrared saunas. Although this light appears red, it is red in the skin. Although this light appears red, infrared light is actually not visible and heats the body from the inside to bring about physiological changes."
"Especially red light therapy has become more popular in recent years and is perhaps the most well-known and easily accessible. 'Devices with red light are easier to produce and available everywhere,' says Arany."
How does it work?
"When photons (light particles) are placed near the skin, they penetrate the tissue and activate chromophores (a part of a molecule that gives it its color), causing changes in cells, according to the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery. Additionally, red light therapy also affects the mitochondria (the powerhouses of cells), generating ATP (energy) to promote healing, according to the PBM Foundation."
"To make red light therapy work, specific protocols and dosages must be used, depending on your health issue. If possible, seek this treatment in a hospital, university, or clinical setting. He advises against red light therapy in salons or spas."
"Devices with red light can be purchased and used at home for skin care, and they are usually safe to use as directed," says Dr. Jagdeo.
Types of red light therapy
"Devices for red light therapy have red LED lamps that are used as handheld devices, LED panels, or full-body beds, depending on the reason for treatment. Some devices use both red light and near-infrared light."
Possible benefits of red light therapy
Although research on red light therapy is promising, there are still conflicting studies - and some show no benefits for certain health conditions. Overall, the studies need to be more standardized (in dosage and timing), depending on the condition, so that scientists and practitioners can fully understand the benefits of red light therapy. Below are potential promising applications of red light therapy according to experts.
Improves a youthful appearance of the skin
One of the most mentioned benefits of red light therapy is its effects on the skin. It can be used to:
- Strengthening of the skin (collagen production)
- Acne
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Hair growth
Redness therapy
"Red light therapy reduces inflammation to address redness, acne, and hair growth, making topical or oral treatments for these conditions work even better," says Jagdeo. Additionally, when it comes to eliminating pimples, "red light therapy enhances our immune defense against the bacteria associated with the formation of acne," he adds.
"For lines and wrinkles, these treatments target enzymes involved in the breakdown of collagen and stimulate collagen production, according to the Cleveland Clinic."