The Use of Red Light For Health And Wellness!
Red light therapy (or RLT) is an increasingly popular form of whole-body support that uses low-power lasers or LEDs to deliver red light to the body. It’s a non-invasive, drug-free, and pain-free wellness tool used for conditions such as rashes and skin issues and pain relief. A red light therapy device delivers natural light to your body.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the 9 powerful benefits of red light therapy and red light benefits that may improve your health and wellness.
Light is one of the most important “nutrients” for most life on earth. We say “nutrient”, but it is really a signal for the regulation of biological processes and our circadian rhythm! Red light may stimulate the hormone melatonin and help with rest and energy!
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-wavelength red light to stimulate various biological processes in the body. It typically involves exposure to specific wavelengths of light, usually in the range of 600 to 650 nanometers, and sometimes includes near-infrared light. This would involve sitting in front of an LED panel for a short time every day to gain the benefits of red light.
The LED panel emits a specific wavelength of light to penetrate the skin and eyes and stimulates the cells and tissue. The time you need to spend in front of the LED panel will vary depending on the condition you are trying to support. Using the device for 10-15 minutes per day is usually recommended for optimal results.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light therapy is proposed to work on the energy producers in your cells, which are the mitochondria. When the light penetrates your skin, it is absorbed by the mitochondria in cells, enhancing their ability to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy currency of cells. This increased energy production may help cells repair and regenerate more effectively, and this may result in more healing and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
This therapeutic technique uses low-power lasers to deliver red light to the body. The most common form of red light therapy is LED (Light Emitting Diode) therapy, which is a type of light therapy that utilizes LED lights to emit a specific wavelength of red light. This type of light is commonly used for skin issues because of its ability to reduce inflammation. Besides acne, people have tried LED light therapy for conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis, scarring, and sun damage.
LED therapy is said to be a safe, painless, and non-invasive way to treat a variety of health conditions. Red light isn’t the only form of LED that can be used for health, but we will focus on this type for this article.
Red light therapy is usually a safe and effective choice, but it is important to speak to your doctor before trying it.
There are molecules in the body called opsins in your eyes. They are the photoreceptor cells of the retina. Photo = light, and the receptor is receiving the benefits of light!
All animals have these universal photoreceptor molecules in their visual systems or eyes. When light activates them, they can change. They can go from a resting state to a state that signals the G protein. This results in a reaction called phototransduction, which converts light into an electrical signal inside your cells! According to www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com, phototransduction is the process that occurs in the retina, where light is converted into electrical signals that the rest of the Nervous System can understand.
If you have completed a Full Scan or a Brain Scan, you may see stress in your Nervous System or in one of the 11 areas of the brain that we bioenergetically test. Here is where red light benefits may boost your brain health. The red light helps to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals responsible for carrying messages between the brain and the body.
This may help to improve cognitive function and support depression and anxiety. The red light also helps stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good hormones. This can increase stress and anxiety reduction and improve your overall mood and well-being.
Red light therapy has also been used with a variety of neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This research is still in its infancy, but you can see what Alzheimers.org.uk has to say!
Red Light Therapy Is Anti-Aging!
We’ve already mentioned the effectiveness of supporting a variety of skin issues with red light benefits. Can red light therapy be anti-aging? RLT helps to stimulate the production of collagen, which is responsible for keeping the skin looking young and healthy. The wavelengths of light help to stimulate fibroblasts, which are cells that help to make connective tissue. These cells secrete collagen proteins, which help heal wounds, and also intradermal (within the skin) collagen density. This can help reduce the signs of aging on the skin!
9 Red Light Benefits For Health And Wellness:
There are a wide range of benefits of red light therapy!
- Skin Health: Red light benefits may improve skin tone, reduce wrinkles, and promote collagen production, aiding in wound healing and scar reduction.
- Pain Relief: RLT can help alleviate pain and inflammation, making it useful for conditions like arthritis and muscle soreness.
- Hair Growth: Some studies suggest it may stimulate hair follicles, promoting hair growth in those with thinning hair or certain types of alopecia.
- Improved Recovery: Athletes often use RLT to enhance recovery times and reduce muscle fatigue after intense workouts.
- Mood Enhancement: There’s some evidence it can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety by improving mood and energy levels.
- Sleep Quality: RLT may help regulate circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality by promoting melatonin production.
- Joint Health: It can potentially reduce symptoms of joint conditions, helping with mobility and discomfort.
- Acne Reduction: Its anti-inflammatory properties can help in managing acne by reducing redness and swelling.
A Note About Red Light Therapy And Chronic Pain
Inflammation can be local and produce swelling, pain, and discomfort in specific areas. This type of pain can affect all ages of our clients. Many people come to CBH Energetics because of joint pain and worry about possible Lyme Disease or arthritis. The increase in blood flow that accompanies inflammation may benefit from red light because the increased circulation may provide more antioxidants to the areas affected.
This happens due to photobiomodulation, which is a process that may create a decrease in reactive nitrogen species and prostaglandins, which are hormone-like messengers that are involved in inflammation. These messengers are also involved in uterine contractions. RLT may be beneficial for hormone imbalances like pre-menstrual syndrome. Red light therapy has also been used with a variety of chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Red Light Therapy for Hair Loss
Red light has been shown to be effective in addressing hair loss. This goes back to the stimulation of the production of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for keeping the hair follicles healthy. This has been used to help reduce hair loss, as well as improve the overall health of the hair.
Red light therapy has also been used to treat alopecia, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. The red light helps to reduce inflammation and stimulate the production of endorphins, which can help to reduce hair loss and improve the overall health of the hair.
Red Light Therapy Safety
Red light therapy is generally considered a safe and effective tool for health and wellness. It is important to speak to your healthcare provider before trying anything different in your routine. We always recommend licensed care practitioner advice alongside any integrative intervention.
Follow the instructions provided by your professional when using red light therapy, as incorrect use could lead to skin irritation or burns. Eye protection should be used.
If you are looking for a safe and effective way to improve your health and well-being, red light therapy may be the answer. It has been used to support a variety of conditions, from skin issues to pain relief, and can be used to boost your energy levels, improve your mood, and enhance your brain health. With the powerful benefits of red light therapy, it’s no wonder it is becoming increasingly popular.
