Red light therapy is a low-level light therapy. It makes use of low-level wavelengths of light to treat a wide variety of conditions like scars, wrinkles, and wounds among other conditions. Some red light therapy units are handheld and small while others can be placed above the face and the large ones look like tanning beds.
In the 1990s, Red Light Therapy was used by scientists to help grow plants in space. It was discovered that the intense light from red light-emitting diodes helped promote the growth and photosynthesis of plant cells. It was then studied for its potential application in medicine, more specifically to find out if it could increase energy inside human cells.
The wavelengths are emitted directly into the skin. Because it does not produce any heat, it is not painful at all. Red light is absorbed into the skin up to ten millimeters in depth. Below are videos and photos from people who have experienced red light therapy and want to share their reviews and testimonials to others.
Disclaimer
This post shares information about red light therapy. We aim to answer your questions regarding the benefits and side effects that you can get when you use red light. The videos and photos included in this post are from people who have experienced using the therapy. We are not doctors or are associated with any medical institution. We do not partake in any particular opinion. It is recommended that you consult your physician before you use any therapy device. Ask advice from your doctor about the ideal therapy treatment that will work for you.
Before and After Results of Using Red Light Therapy As Told By Users
If you are curious about what red light therapy is and how it can help your skin, we have provided videos and photos from people who have first-hand experience of using the product. Take note that the result of red light therapy varies depending on the reaction of your skin. The therapy may or may not work for you. Visit your physician and ask for advice before you do the therapy.
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https://youtu.be/96bdix-f1FE
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Another user shared her experience in using red light therapy through the video above. According to her, she is using red light therapy five minutes a day for five days a week. She also demonstrates what she does before and during the therapy.
She shared a video of her face two months before she started the therapy and there is a big difference in the condition of her skin. According to her, her skin becomes clearer and that there is no need to wear makeup everyday. Check out the video above for more of her reviews and testimonials.
The photo above is from an Instagram user named Chris. According to him, he has been using red light therapy on his skin for a couple of months and he is amazed at what it has done to his skin. His skin is now clearer and smoother.
✅ Video – One month of using the therapy mask
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Another video above is from Sonia who shared her one-month results of using red light therapy mask. She wanted to get rid of her cystic acne and pimple marks. According to her, she is using the mask every day and she noticed that her skin is starting to clear up. Her acne marks are not that obvious anymore.
After thirty days, she said that her acne marks have disappeared and her skin has become smoother. She wanted to continue using the mask to discover what more it can do to her skin. For more of Sonia’s red light therapy mask journey, you can watch the video above.
✅ Video – Trying red light therapy
The video above is from a couple who tried using red light therapy. They went to a healing center that specializes in doing red light therapy. They are brought to a room with a big therapy bed that they will use. They need to lie down for twenty minutes on one side and twenty minutes on another side.
After trying the red light therapy, they said that they are more relaxed and rejuvenated. To find out more about their experience and what the red light therapy can do not only to the skin but the different areas of your body, you can watch the video above.
✅ Video – Before and after therapy experience
In the video above, Shay shared what she has to say about red light therapy. She has been using red light for ten weeks and she talks about the results that the therapy does to her skin. According to her, she noticed a lack of results for the ten weeks that she is using it.
Shay said that there is no improvement in the texture and tone of her skin. She was hoping that the hyperpigmentation on her skin will vanish but the product does not deliver. You can find out more about what she has to say about her experience by watching the video above.
✅ Video – How to lighten dark marks and acne scars
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LaShonda shows how red light therapy has lightened her dark marks and acne scars. After ninety days of using the product, she is happy with the results that it provides to her skin. On her before and after pictures, you can see a difference in her skin complexion. Her scars and dark spots have lightened and her skin has become smoother.
According to her, she is using red light for thirty minutes every night or every other night to get the best results. If you want to know more about her experience and how she was able to achieve the current condition of her skin with the use of red light, you can click the video above.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy works by powering the cells. It creates a biochemical effect in cells that strengthen the powerhouse of the cell or the mitochondria. Increasing the function of the mitochondria can produce more energy. More energy means that the cells can function efficiently and can be able to rejuvenate and repair the damage.
According to dermatologist Murad Alam, MD, FAAD, chief of the Section of Cutaneous Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery and associate professor of dermatology, otolaryngology, and surgery at Northwestern University, Chicago, “There are a handful of office-based and at-home red-light devices being marketed to offer improvement in the appearance of aging skin, but more definitive research is needed before we can determine the effectiveness of this therapy. Compliance appears to be one of the biggest hurdles for red-light devices, as the therapy requires multiple treatments over an extended period of time to produce a noticeable improvement in aging skin.”
✅ Video – How it works
The video below tackles about how red light therapy works and the many benefits that it offers to the skin and the body. If you want an in-depth explanation, you can watch the video below.
What Can Red Light Therapy Do For The Skin?
Red light therapy can calm irritation and brightens the skin. The lights penetrate the skin deeply and can cause various reactions like reducing wrinkles, soft skin, and reducing acne-causing bacteria. You will have to undergo a course of treatment to see long-lasting results. However, you will be able to see a difference in the glow of your face after the first session.
According to Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon, “If [the light is] red, your skin responds by building, strengthening, and maximizing the cellular structure. Red light is also believed to target oil glands to reduce cytokines, which cause inflammation and play a role in chronic acne.”
Who Offers Red Light Therapy?
Skin clinics, dermatologists, and spas offer red light therapy treatments. A physician can also provide a referral to a trained professional. In addition, there are a lot of red light therapy devices that are sold online. If you are planning to purchase a device online, make sure that you purchase from trusted and proven stores so you can guarantee that the device is safe. You can talk to your dermatologist and ask if they provide red light therapy treatment that you can avail.
The Benefits That You Can Get From Using Red Light Therapy
✅ Video – Top benefits of red light therapy
Red light therapy has many benefits not only on your skin but in other areas of the body as well. In the video above, the top three benefits of red light therapy are thoroughly explained. Click the play button above to find out more.
It Encourages Hair Growth
According to research, red light therapy is a powerful and drug-free solution to hair growth. It is found to be effective in growing hair for both men and women. This is done by stimulating skin cells in the hair follicle and shifting them into the active growth face.
It Heals Wounds and Scars
Red light therapy can help heal scars and persistent wounds. It can help skin recover from acne scars, burns, and wounds. The red light helps the skin cells to function efficiently and repair skin damage by stimulating stem cells and mitochondria.
It Eases Muscle and Joint Pains
Red light penetrates deeper as compared to other wavelengths which allow it to treat issues below the surface of the skin such as muscle and joints. Among the original uses of red light, therapy is to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. According to research, it can lessen pain and improve grip strength of the patients.
✅ Video – How red light heals pain and inflammation
It Helps Collagen Production
Red light therapy can help in delaying skin issues that develop with age like wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen production can decrease around the age of thirty. Red light can improve skin complexion, smoothness, collagen density, and skin tone.
According to New York City-based aesthetician Joanna Vargas, “Your complexion will be more lifted, toned, and improved-resulting in younger-looking, smoother skin by increasing healthy cellular activity. In addition to helping to hydrate and heal the skin, it’s also great for anti-aging because it protects existing collagen and elastin, while also stimulating new collagen production.”
Check out this article about the before and after results of using Clarisonic. It is a skincare tool that claims to clean the face six times deeper. Find out what the users have to say about the product.
It Improves Endurance and Speeds Up Recovery
Red light therapy is beneficial for athletes. According to studies, red light improves the performance and lessens muscle soreness. Red light helps mitochondria to produce energy which makes muscles experience less fatigue.
Red Light Therapy and Bipolar Syndrome
Using red light to patients with depression and those with bipolar syndrome can result in mania. According to research found that early morning light therapy could trigger people with bipolar disorder into a manic phase.
According to Al Lewy, one of the pioneers of light therapy used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), “Because light therapy can trigger hypomania, it should be conducted under a doctor’s supervision. If there’s the slightest chance that a patient will switch into a manic episode, then their doctor can be there to treat them.”
Side Effects That You Can Get From Using Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is approved by the FDA to be safe. Side effects do occur and this includes eyestrain, headaches, and irritability. Long term side effects are usually attributed to the overheating of tissues that are caused by improper use of red light. You need to consult your doctor before using red light therapy to make sure that you are fit to undergo the therapy.
What to Expect From a Red Light Therapy Session?
If you plan to go to a professional for a red light therapy session, here are a few things that you can expect:
- You will need to wash your face to get rid of any makeup or moisturizer that can interfere with the light treatment.
- The red light will be directed on your skin from a span of ninety seconds to twenty minutes depending on the product that you have chosen.
- During the treatment, you will feel no pain at all.
- Once the treatment is done, you are free to apply cosmetics or skincare products on your skin.
✅ Video – Red light therapy and cellulite reduction
Do you have cellulite? Are you wondering about the effective ways to get rid of it? You can watch the video below and find out how red light therapy can effectively reduce and eliminate cellulite from your body.
Pros and Cons of Red Light Therapy
The Pros:
- No chemicals needed
- Painless
- No drugs needed
- Safe for all skin types
- Minimal side effects
- Can be done at home
✅ Video – What light therapy does to the body
The Cons
- Needs multiple treatment sessions
- Needs continuous sessions to maintain results
- Not suitable for people with photosensitivity or taking a certain medication
- Can be harmful to the eyes
FAQs
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
Yes, it is safe and has been approved by the FDA.
How Often Should I Use Red Light Therapy?
It depends on the condition that you are treating as well as the device that you are using. It is best that you follow the schedule that your doctor advised or the direction that comes with the device that you purchase.
Do I Need to Wear Protective Goggles?
Yes, you need to wear protective goggles when you are facing the light to shield your eyes from too much brightness and to make yourself comfortable throughout the session.
Final Thoughts
We hope that the information that we shared satisfied your curiosity and that it has provided you with answers to your questions about red light therapy. Take note that the effects of red light therapy vary according to the reaction of your body. What others experienced while doing therapy may not happen to you. Like any other treatment, red light therapy has side effects. Talk to your doctor and ask if you are qualified to undergo red light therapy most especially if you have other health problems.
References
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