I Hear Its Safe But What Side Effects Of Red Light Therapy Should I Expect
Yes, all of our experts agree: Red light therapy is generally safe. The great thing about red light therapy is that its noninvasive and, when used properly, does not damage the skin. Side effects are minimal and downtime, which is sometimes necessary with common skin laser treatments, is nonexistent. In an office treatment, you might feel a little bit of stinging when using a photosensitizer with the light, but for most people, you might feel your skin get warm, and maybe you’ll look red right after the treatment, but that should go away in a day or two, says Dr. Baron.
Also unlike some lasers, people of all skin tones and types can undergo this kind of treatment, say our experts. I conducted research that was funded by the NIH that looked at red light therapy and its safety amongst different skin types. We found that with short treatment times30 minutes or lessthere was no concern with redness or hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Jagdeo. Once you start trending up towards much longer treatment times, though, then the risk for those issues increases.9
That said, if you know youre easily prone to hyperpigmentation, you might want to talk to your dermatologist for help with choosing a home device, says Dr. Lamb. If a patient came to me who was prone to pigmentation, I probably would recommend that they avoid getting a device that rests directly on their face and instead stick to ones that are held away from your skin.
Are There Side Effects To Red Light Therapy
Everyone is different, and although there are not very many side effects of red for near-infrared light therapy its always possible an individual could experience problems that no one else does. Therefore, when beginning with any type of light therapy one should start out slowly and always do an initial patch test to confirm that no negative reactions will occur. Some individuals are sensitive to intense light, and some do not know it until trying to use an intense light therapy device.
How Often Should You Use Red Light Therapy On Your Face
One clinical study found that using yourRed Light Therapy Device three times a week for a duration of 20-minutes can show results in as little as three weeks.²
The more you use your LED Light Therapy Panel, the quicker you will see results.
Start with three a week, and more up to five times a week if your schedule allows.
The most important part is to be consistent to see results. So you really want to ensure you are doing your Red Light Therapy at three twice a week, every week.
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Blue Led Light Therapy
Blue LED light therapy is primarily used for acne treatment, because it targets the oil glands and makes them less active. It can also be used to target the acne causing bacteria and relieve skin damage. By targeting the metabolic product of these bacteria, porphyrins, an oxygen free radical is produced from these porphyrins which destroys the acne causing bacteria.
How Often Should You Use A Red Light Therapy Bed
A growing number of people are undergoing red light therapy to relieve chronic skin conditions, ease muscle aches and joint pain, or even to reduce the visible signs of aging. But how often should you use a red light therapy bed?
Unlike many one-size-fits-all approaches to therapy, red light therapy is a highly customizable and personalized treatment. Red light therapy, also known as , uses the power of light to stimulate energy production and healing within cells. Red light therapy is a dose-dependent treatment, which means that your bodys response improves with every session. A consistent treatment schedule provides the best results.
Many patients wonder how often they should use a red light therapy bed. The answer is it depends. Some people require frequent sessions, while others can get by with a treatment now and then. Most get good results with a 15-minute session, 3-5 times each week for several months. The frequency at which you use a red light therapy bed also depends on the severity of the condition you want to treat, your age and overall health, as well as your sensitivity to light.
Because everyone is different, it is wiser to start slow and work your way up to frequent sessions. You may want to start with a 10-minute session every other day for the first week. If you experience temporary redness or tightness, decrease your therapy time. If you do not experience redness or tightness, you can extend your daily therapy time to a total of 15 to 20 minutes.
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Are Devices Purchased For At
Youll find many red light therapy products if you search on the internet. While these products are generally safe to use, they may use a lower wavelength frequency than devices that may be used by dermatologists or other trained skin professionals. You may not get the results you hope for.
If you do choose to purchase a red light therapy device, make sure to shield your eyes for protection, follow all directions and take good care of the device.
In addition to medical office-based use and at-home use with a purchased device, you may see RLT being promoted at beauty spas and salons, saunas, tanning salons, gyms and wellness centers. Be cautious of who is supplying and where you are receiving treatment. Its always best to check in with a medical professional about the best options to treat your skin condition or issue.
How Long Has Red Led Light Therapy Been Around
Red LED light therapy first gained prominence in 1903, when Danish physicist Niels Ryberg Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize for his invention of light therapy for skin tuberculosis. However, red LED light therapy has come a long way in the 100+ years since and its treatment benefits are much more widely understood.
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What Is Led Light Therapy
LED light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that enters the skins layers to improve the skin.
In the 1990s, NASA began studying LEDs effects in promoting wound healing in astronauts by helping cells and tissues grow.
Today, dermatologists and estheticians commonly use LED light therapy to treat a range of skin issues. Skin specialists often use LED light therapy together with other treatments, such as creams, ointments and facials, to give you the best results.
You can also buy an array of at-home devices that use LED light therapy, including LED masks.
Treatment For Pain And Injury
Red light therapy speeds up the healing of wounds and injuries to the body and reduces inflammation too. It can improve the range of motion of joints which is a common problem for those who are experiencing arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other forms of joint pains. It helps reduce pain for those who suffer fibromyalgia too.
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Everyone Is Different Know Your Condition
When it comes to anything medical, one key thing to remember is that everyone is different. We all are born with variations that make us us. When it comes to treating problems with your body, what may work for you may not work for someone else and vice versa. The best way to get treatment that is tailored just for you is to visit your doctor or dermatologist. They can take into consideration all the things that make up who you are and give you direction as to what to do next. You may also take control of your health and do your own research on the best forms of treatment. If you decide to go this route, make sure that you understand what you are suffering, to make the right choice
What Are The Risks Of Led Light Therapy
LED light therapy is a safe, relatively risk-free treatment. If youre thinking about buying an at-home mask or device, be sure its marked FDA cleared or FDA approved. Also, wear eye protection, such as sunglasses or goggles, and carefully follow instructions to confirm youre using the device correctly.
Its rare to experience side effects from LED light therapy. If side effects do occur, they may include:
- Increased inflammation.
Experts do caution that while LED light therapy seems to be safe in the short term, theres less information about its long-term safety.
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Can I Treat My Pets With Infrared Therapy
Pets love and benefit from infrared light therapy. If you have an infrared heating pad, you can use it for any painful condition your pet suffers from. You can use it for injuries, arthritis, sore hips, and post-surgical healing.
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Can You Do Too Much Light Therapy
Light therapy treatments have been tested in hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical trials, and found to be safe and well-tolerated. But can you overdo light therapy? Excessive light therapy use is unnecessary, but its unlikely to be harmful. The cells in the human body can only absorb so much light at one time. If you keep shining a light therapy device on the same area, you wont see added benefits. This is why most consumer light therapy brands recommend waiting 4-8 hours between light therapy sessions.
Dr. Michael Hamblin of Harvard Medical School is a leading light therapy researcher whos participated in over 300 phototherapy trials and studies. Though it wont improve results, Dr. Hamblin believes that excessive light therapy use is generally safe and wont cause skin damage.
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Doesled Light Therapy Work And What Should You Expect
Yes, LED light therapy most definitely works. Red light has been proven over the decades and is used by professionals to get beautiful results. It doesnt work overnight though. You have to keep up with the treatments to see a positive change in your skin.
Blue light can help control acne while a combination of red and amber light is the ticket to targeting fine lines.
Youcan choose to go to a professional to have the treatments done in-office or buyyour own device and do it at home. Youll find different devices ranging from$250 on up to $2,500 or more. Its ideal to find one that sits upon your faceso you can keep your hands free.
Whichever one you choose, you should always follow the manufacturers instructions. Keep it clean too.
A soft cloth with isopropyl alcohol can help clean the head of it after each use. Make sure you never get any water or liquids inside the device though or you could be throwing money down the drain.
You may choose to go for in-office LED treatments though keep in mind youll need to go 10 times or more, once a week. Youll notice some slight results after that first session but once you finish your last one, youll see a big difference.
The trouble is that even with the recommended number of sessions, the results you see wont last. You need to keep up LED light therapy if you want to continue to look this amazing.
One thing about doing it at home is that you can touch up as needed without having to take the time to go to an appointment.
How Often To Use Red Light Therapy Experts Advice
In the nowadays fast-paced rhythm of life, most people may not find time for themselves, their health and body care. Here red light therapy comes to help you. It does not require a long treatment, it will be enough to start with 10 20 minutes of using the device a day. But about the dosage and frequency of RLT use according to the place of application, we will tell you in more detail below.
RLT is one of the most effective modern body and skin treatments. Its main advantages are:
- Affordability you can use RLT devices even at home
- The quickness of use you do not need to spend several hours a day to achieve the desired result
- Safe this treatment has few risks and side effects of use.
But everything is good in moderation. So in our article, we will tell you how often to use red light therapy to achieve the desired results. We will also list possible side effects of this treatment you may encounter and will tell you how to avoid them.
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The Science Of Red Light Therapy
Scientists have discovered that when red and near-infrared wavelengths penetrate the skin, they work in particular on the cellâs main energy producers, mitochondria. Red and near-infrared wavelengths stimulate mitochondria, causing them to produce more of the compound known as adenosine triphosphate , the source of energy thatâs used and stored at the cellular level.
Most of red light therapyâs effects come from your bodyâs mitochondria absorbing the natural red light. In various clinical studies, the cytochrome c-oxidase in each of your mitochondria absorb red light, which causes the release of nitric oxide increasing ATP production and decreasing oxidative stress . According to the latest research, this reaction that occurs in your body causes a chain reaction in the cells and spurs a cascade of effects such as increased cell formation, movement, cell death, and decreased inflammation occurs . Red and near infrared light are able to improve the efficiency of a process called cellular respiration as well .
Not Tracking Your Progress
Given that its a process that can take time, red light therapy results can sneak up on you. Lets say youre using red light therapy to improve your skins appearance. Given that you see your face in the mirror every day, it might take someone pointing out how radiant you look or asking if youve had work done for you to take notice of your progress. The same goes for chronic pain. You may not even realize your pain is decreasing until one day youre able to climb stairs without using the handrail or lift a box without flinching.
For cosmetic issues, you might consider taking progress pics. For invisible issues such as pain or immune health, a journal might help you keep track of improvements. Not only will this help motivate you to keep up your treatment, it might also be useful for adjusting the frequency and duration of your sessions to find the regimen that works best for you.
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Can Red Light Therapy Cause Skin Cancer
Red LED light therapy can not cause cancer, because it does not include the UV rays wavelength. It is safe for the skin as long as its used properly and not over-used. Also, red light therapy alone will not tan your skin. Studies show that red light therapy is safe even in the presence of malignant lesions.
Dry Skin And Psoriasis
The Red Light penetrates the thickened skin and powers up the skin cells. Because of the increased blood flow to the surface of the skin being treated, more nutrients are delivered to that area. That means it quenches the thirst of the skin to be nourished. Oxygen-rich blood flows to the treated areas, also increasing the hydration brought about by good blood supply.
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Using The Wrong Size Device
Rouge offers red light therapy panels in various sizes to accommodate a range of needs and budgets. Well be honest, we think everyone should have a Rouge Ultimate in their home as it can tackle the big issues and the smaller complaints at the same time. However, we know thats not a possibility for everyone, and is not essential if your main goal is alleviating arthritis pain in your hands, for instance, or improving your facial complexion. Keep in mind, though, that for full-body issues such as fibromyalgia or conditions involving large body parts like chronic back pain, a larger panel will provide more efficient treatment, allowing you to see results quicker, and to spend less time in front of your device.
How Is Red Light Therapy Used
Ever since the initial experiments in space, there have been hundreds of clinical studies and thousands of laboratory studies conducted to determine if RLT has medical benefits.
Many studies have had promising results, but the benefits of red light therapy are still a source of controversy. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , for example, has determined that there isnt enough evidence to show that these devices are better than currently existing treatments for treating wounds, ulcers, and pain.
Additional clinical research is needed to prove that RLT is effective. At the moment, however, theres some evidence to suggest that RLT may have the following benefits:
Its important to note that when RLT is used with cancer treatments, the light is only used to activate another medication. Other light therapies have been used to help with some of the conditions above. For instance, studies have found that white light therapy is more effective at treating symptoms of depression than red light. Blue light therapy is more commonly used for acne, with limited effectiveness.
Red light wavelengths arent the only wavelengths to be studied for medical purposes. Blue light, green light, and a mixture of different wavelengths have also been the subject of similar experiments in humans.
There are other kinds of light-based therapies available. You can ask your doctor about:
- laser treatments
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Acne And Inflamed Acne Marks
Although Red Light is not used to kill acne-causing bacteria, it will help reduce the inflammation brought about by acne. Red and Infrared lights penetrate the skin at different levels and power up the cells to repair the skin from within. It repairs the skin tissues that acne has destroyed. This leads to faster healing of the acne and prevents further tissue damage that may lead to pitting acne scars. On the other hand, Blue Light Therapy is clinically proven to starve off P. acnes bacteria that is the most common cause of acne.