Red Light Therapy

Red Light Therapy is an emerging treatment that has shown to treat wrinkles, redness, acne scars, and other signs of aging. It can treat other conditions such as inflammation and pain. Some have found red light therapy to help depression and seasonal affective disorder. 

Red light therapy is thought to work by acting on the mitochondria or power plant, in our cells. This provides more energy to the cells which can increase cellular production for things like cell growth and repair. This increase in cellular production can lead to stimulate collagen production, increase blood circulation, and reduce inflammation in cells. 

Your skin is exposed directly to the light. An LED emits the correct spectrum of light. Red light travels deeper into the skin vs blue light that treats the skin surface.

Red light therapy uses light wavelengths ranging from 660-850 nm. This range has the best impact on the cells and provides the highest level of light absorption. 

Red Light Therapy can be used to treat some common skin conditions, including:

Improve wound healing

Reduce stretch marks

Reduce wrinkles, fine lines and age spots

Improve facial texture

Improve psoriasis, rosacea and eczema

Improve scars

Improve sun damaged skin

Improve hair growth in those with androgenic alopecia

Improve acne

Red Light Therapy is considered safe as long as it is not misused. There have been no associated side effects if used as directed. The therapy is not toxic, is non invasive, and is not as harsh as some topical treatments. Red Light Therapy does not use any ultraviolet light. 

The best results will be seen with consistent use of red light therapy. This is not a one time treatment for most conditions. You can do a treatment 1-3 times per week. 

Red light therapy should not be used in those taking medications that increase skin or eye sensitivity. Some medications would include: antibiotics, antifungals, NSAIDs, diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, retinoids, antihistamines, anti-arrhythmic, statins, phenothiazines, psoralens, sulfonylureas, and methotrexate. People who have a history of skin cancer or eye disease should speak with their doctors prior to using red light therapy.