The Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Health and Skin

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Red light devices have taken over the internet with promises of great health and beauty results. Are they really worth the hype, though? This blog post will review the benefits of red light therapy and how you can easily incorporate at-home devices in the comfort of your home.

I have firsthand seen the amazing benefits of using a red light therapy device consistently at home. What I love about red light therapy is that it is one of the best non-invasive treatments for literally any health ailment.

*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.  This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company.  I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly.  If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product. 

What is Red Light Therapy?

Red Light therapy uses red and near-infrared light to promote healing, stimulate cell function, and reduce inflammation. Photobiomodulation uses light particles called photons to penetrate the skin, which are then absorbed by the mitochondria, the energy sources within the cells. This greatly increases cellular function. 

Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Hair growth

RLT can help with hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which in turn delivers more nutrients to the scalp If you have postpartum hair loss or any hair loss related to medical conditions, red light therapy is a good option.

Skin Conditions and Skin Health

RLT can be used for various skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, scarring, fine lines, and sun-damaged skin by using low-wavelength red light to stimulate skin cells. Skin rejuvenation is possible with at-home use.  Always check with your medical provider before starting a routine. 

Wound Healing

 Using red and near infrared wavelengths stimulates cellular energy production, improving blood circulation with collagen production and tissue repair and regeneration. This leads to faster healing and reduced pain. 

Chronic pain and Joint pain

Studies have shown that photomodulation has been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling and be a pain management alternative for several musculoskeletal conditions. A study done by PubMed showed that photomodulation induces pain relief in osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, neck pain, low back pain, knee pain, and pain from post-op hip arthroplasty. I am living proof myself that red light therapy works great on neck pain, as I have had two neck fusions, C5-7, and I use my red light on my neck whenever I have some pain. This is a great alternative to the opioid epidemic we are facing in the world.

Muscle Recovery

By stimulating the mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of our cells, red light therapy can aid in muscle recovery. It boosts circulation by increasing nitric oxide production, expanding blood vessels. ATP production is increased in the mitochondria, which is the primary energy source for muscle contraction and cellular repair, increasing recovery time.

Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Just like with wound healing, collagen and elastin production are stimulated, improving skin elasticity. This is such a great noninvasive treatment for skin care, no Botox needed. 

Sleep and Mood

I use my Red light every chance I get at night to help my circadian rhythm. I notice that when I use my device before bedtime, I fall asleep more easily and I have a deeper sleep quality. We now know that blue light is not great for our circadian rhythm and sleep, but what about red light? In a small study done by Healthline, it was found that 20 female athlete participants who had received 30 minutes of red light therapy every night for 14 days had improved sleep quality, melatonin levels, and endurance performance over the placebo group that did not have any red light therapy.

Mood disorders may be improved by stimulating neurotransmitters and promoting relaxation through stress reduction. A study done by PubMed found that a modest improvement of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) was achieved after a single red light session. 

Cognitive Function

Since red light therapy increases ATP mitochondrial function, enhancing blood flow and providing neuroprotection, early studies have shown that red and near infrared light therapy can lead to significant improvements in memory and executive function.

What to look for in a red light therapy device

Wavelengths

There are certain wavelengths of light that you want to look for in a device. Look for a device that offers a combination of red light and near-infrared light.  The specific wavelengths for red light should be around 660-670 nm and 810-850nm for near infrared.

FDA Clearance

Check that the device is cleared by the FDA, meeting strict safety and effectiveness guidelines. 

Irradiance

The power density of the light, the higher the levels, the more energy delivered to the skin and cells. You still want to be careful as not to burn the skin either, so I love that the Lumebox has a timer of 12 minutes that turns off automatically to stay within safe limits.

Ease of Use

I love the Lumebox because it is portable, you can bring it along with you while you travel, and it is not bulky at all. It is a handheld device, but you can target the specific ailment or area you want to work on. 

What is the best Red Light Therapy Device?

In my opinion, the Lumebox is beyond superior to any red light device on the market. Lumebox was created by a medical doctor and has some of the highest standards for a red light therapy device.

• -3rd Party tested for irradiance and wavelength
• -Emits both red and NIR
• -FDA registered
• -58% greater red light irradiance
• -80% greater near infrared irradiance
• -25% more body surface coverage

The Lumebox delivers  660nm of red light and 850 nm of NIR light wavelengths. You can choose to use one or the other, or both at the same time. I truly use this as my swiss army knife of my wellness tools. I use it for all the things: sleep support, skin support, aches or pains, and sickness. The rule is that if something is wrong, grab the Lumebox. 

Can Red Light Therapy be used on children?

As always with anything, always check with your child’s pediatrician before implementing anything, but I use the Lumebox on all four of my children. My daughter gets headaches a lot, so we always pull out the Lumebox when she gets one, and she feels better after.

Are there any risks with RLT?

As with anything, there is no one-size-fits-all all, but RLT is generally considered safe as long as you clear using it with your healthcare provider. It is generally recommended to start low, around 3-4 minutes per session, and work your way up. 

You should not use RLT  if you are photosensitive,  using topical, oral, or injectable steroids, or healing period post-LASIK. Always check with a healthcare provider if pregnant or nursing. I have used my Lumebox throughout two pregnancies and breastfeeding without issue. 

Eye protection should always be used, especially around the face area. Never look directly at light. The Lumebox comes with eye protection

How long until I see the results of using RLT?

As with anything, consistency is key in health and wellness. You might notice immediate results, and it might take a few days to a couple of weeks to really notice a difference in skin health. With pain relief, I think noticeable effects are usually after just one use. 

Can I use my HSA/FSA on Lumebox?

Yes! The Lumebox is an HSA-eligible medical device.

Conclusion

I think red light therapy has really come a long way in the past few years. There are so many health benefits that come along with red-light therapy that just cannot be beat. You no longer have to go to a doctor’s office to get red light therapy; you can have it in the palm of your hand at home and travel with you wherever you go with the Lumebox. Red light therapy is such a great non-invasive treatment for so many ailments that most people deal with on a day-to-day basis. If I could choose one tool in my wellness box at home, it would definitely be the Lumebox. Once you start red lighting, you will never go back.

Red light therapy is truly good for so many day-to-day ailments that I highly recommend every household have one handy. The most common issues we use red light in our house are for:

• headaches
• skin cuts/rashes
• illness
• sleep support
• muscle aches and pains
• earaches
• stomach aches
• menstrual cramps

Basically, if something is off or wrong, I use the Lumebox. I truly hope that this blog post has benefited you and answered questions on red light therapy and the benefits it has. I know how overwhelming it can be, especially in the online space where everyone is telling you to buy this or that. My only goal is to bring products to you that can truly benefit you and your family.