Perhaps you’ve overheard someone raving about their experience, or you’re just curious, either way, red light therapy brings with it a fair amount of intrigue. A safe and painless treatment, it’s one of the fastest-growing therapeutic treatments around today. So before you get express on your red light therapy panels, here are some of the most common questions answered.
What is red light therapy exactly?
It’s a non-invasive therapeutic treatment that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to treat various illnesses, diseases and boost skin health amongst other benefits. Red light isn’t just a red coloured light, rather a low frequency of light that affects the body’s cells by optimising mitochondrial activity. Think of mitochondria as the powerhouse or batteries of the cell. It helps our cells produce energy, allowing them to function more efficiently and repair damage faster. Light is emitted from a wand or red light therapy panels. Wherever the light touches the skin, it penetrates up to 10 millimetres providing the exposed area with beneficial vitamins and boosts cellular performance.
How was red light therapy discovered?
Red light was first used in the 1980s and 90s by scientists at NASA to help plants grow in space. It was a highly successful venture. Scientists found that red light exposure actually improved the growth of plants in an environment that was void of all sunlight. Following these astounding initial results, scientists and doctors started researching the benefits of red light therapy more closely. With the advent of LED technology and the improved performance of lighting more generally, red light therapy started to become a bonafide practice well into the 2000s. Recently, in light of numerous studies, the benefits of red light therapy have been widely documented around the world.
What are the benefits of red light therapy?
Red light therapy has been proven to work effectively in improving the health of long term users. While subject to increasing numbers of studies and trials, Red light therapy may have the following benefits:
- Encourages tissue repair. Red light therapy has been used to promote the healing of wounds and tissue damage. Its positive effect on mitochondrial function means that cells are producing more energy and can repair themselves faster.
- Helps with Arthritis. Red light therapy stimulates the production of collagen, which is a protein essential to the health of bones and joints. People suffering from stiffness due to rheumatoid arthritis can see a reduction in inflammation due to cellular regeneration.
- Promotes skin repair. Whether it’s sun damage or wrinkles, red light therapy is known to stimulate healing, regenerate, and renew. Red light therapy can reduce scarring, stretch marks, and in some cases heal and repair blemishes.
- Increases blood flow. Exposure to red light increases blood flow which delivers important nutrients and oxygen around the body. This can help with inflammation and ease some immediate symptoms.
- Red light therapy is noninvasive. Not only that, it has virtually zero side effects, making it a welcome alternative to more hands-on treatments.
How long should you do red light therapy?
Generally, 30-minute sessions are appropriate depending on the goal of treatment, and other personal factors. With no side-effects, there’s no need to rest or recover after treatment. Typically a 20-minute session at a wellness spa will cost about $90. If you’re looking to try a more long-term treatment program it may be worth investing in red light therapy panels for a more cost-effective home treatment plan.
How often should you use red light therapy?
When it comes to seeing results, it’s common to not expect anything in the first week or two. However, everyone’s skin is different, and so is the condition and treatment plan. Using red light therapy a few times a week is recommended. Treatments can last for 8-12 weeks depending on individual circumstances. That being said, don’t be afraid of ‘overdoing’ it - you can’t hurt or damage your skin with red light therapy. With your own red light therapy panels, you can build your routine at home.
Is it the same as infrared?
The short answer is no. And the most noticeable difference is that you can see red light - and infrared is invisible. Infrared has longer wavelengths compared to red light and as such can penetrate further into the skin. Essentially red light falls on a spectrum where the visible red light sits between 600nm (nanometers) and 700nm. Above that, the light turns into what is known as near-infrared light or NIR. Anything above 700nm is classified as infrared. Both infrared light and red light therapy have similar health benefits.
Is it safe for your eyes?
Yes, it’s completely safe for your eyes. Because red light has no UV rays, it’s completely safe to look at, and will not cause any heat or burning to the skin. It’s completely different from the lights used in tanning salons. In fact, if your eyesight is deteriorating, some studies show that red light can actually improve eyesight when red light therapy is applied.
Does red light therapy really work?
While there is still some controversy surrounding the topic, red light therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment alternative for a variety of conditions. With many clinical results demonstrating the efficacy of the treatment, the results are there to be witnessed. Bear in mind that the treatment may not work for everyone and will depend on the condition, and other medical factors.
How can I do red light therapy at home?
It’s easy and safe to administer red light therapy at home. Many people are choosing this treatment for its flexibility and high level of personal autonomy. With your own red light therapy panels, you’re able to easily and efficiently administer home treatments whenever and where you want. For more information and details about our products check out Mito Wellness red light therapy panels available at Nourishme Organics and see how this could revolutionise your home treatment programme.