Beyond the Beauty: A Health Centric Look at Red Light Therapy

IN THIS ARTICLE:

• 01 How Does Red Light Therapy Affect Your Health?
• 02 Red Light Therapy and Immunity
• 03 Red Light Therapy For Pain and Inflammation
• 04 Red Light Therapy for Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
• 05 Red Light Therapy for Longevity
• 06 Red Light Therapy for Joint Pain
• 07 Red Light Therapy for Sleep
• 08 Red Light Therapy to Improve Mood
• 09 Red Light Therapy for Brain Health
• 10 Red Light Therapy for Sports Recovery
• 11 The Takeaway: Does Red Light Therapy Support Overall Health?

5-minute read

Light energy has been used as a healing practice for centuries, with its therapeutic benefits discovered long before it found its place in the beauty industry. Dr. Hamblin, Principal Investigator at Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and an Associate Professor Harvard Medical School notes numerous instances from the 1800s where light therapy was used to heal growths, ulcers, and even tumors. It wasn’t until much later in the 1900s that laser light technology was developed and used on the human body.

In the 1960’s Hungarian researcher, Endre Mester discovered that low-level laser light therapy causes damaged cells to heal faster. This discovery has since been the subject of hundreds of studies all reaching the same verdict: LLLT enhances cell rejuvenation and triggers the body's natural healing process. In the 1990’s NASA began using low-level light therapy to help astronauts maintain muscle and bone mass and promote wound healing and the phenomenon quickly gained traction from there.

How Does Red Light Therapy Affect Your Health?

Red light therapy treats the cells with specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. (633-1072nm). The wavelengths are absorbed by chromophores called cytochrome c oxidase, light-sensitive molecules within the cells. This absorption process increases energy production in your cells by stimulating the mitochondria —the powerhouses responsible for creating ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of your cells.

This boost in cellular energy has a ripple effect throughout your body, reducing inflammation, and pain, speeding up recovery from injury, and boosting brain health.

Red Light Therapy and Immunity

Regular red light therapy sessions enhance immunity by promoting a balanced immune response and reducing the risk of excessive inflammation. Although inflammation is an essential part of the immune system's defense, too much can lead to health issues, including autoimmune disorders. Red and infrared light regulate cytokine levels - key proteins that support our body’s natural inflammatory response.

Red Light Therapy For Pain and Inflammation

According to Dr Praveen Arany, Associate professor at the University of Buffalo and the interim director of the Center of Excellence for Photobiomodulation at Shepherd University red light is absorbed by a specific protein on the surface of the neuron reducing the cells ability to feel pain. It is also established that LLLT reduces inflammatory markers in the body which in turn reduces pain in damaged tissues.

Red Light Therapy for Wound Healing and Tissue Repair

By boosting collagen production, it helps wounds close faster and promote cell regeneration. Wound healing was one of the earliest proven applications of red light therapy, predating its widespread use for anti-aging.

Red Light Therapy for Longevity

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage healthy cells, leading to oxidative stress. This phenomenon can harm proteins, tissues, and even DNA, likely contributing to diseases like cancer and diabetes. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals, but our natural defenses sometimes need support. RLT can help by increasing ATP production in cells, which improves cell survival, strengthens cellular defenses, and reduces oxidative stress

Red Light Therapy for Joint Pain

RLT shows promise for alleviating joint and musculoskeletal pain by reducing inflammation and promoting blood flow to bone tissue, which aids regeneration. These effects can soothe discomfort, reduce swelling, and contribute to long-term pain reduction in individuals with chronic joint conditions like arthritis.

Red Light Therapy for Sleep

Does red light therapy improve sleep? According to research, yes. Red light wavelengths can improve sleep quality and enable us to fall asleep faster by encouraging the release of melatonin the ‘sleepy’ hormone. Red light therapy has also been shown to improve sleep inertia or morning grogginess, regulating circadian rhythm and promoting overall relaxation.

Red Light Therapy to Improve Mood

Studies showing the impact of LED light therapy on mood often focus on seasonal affective disorder or (SAD), a change in mood and feeling of depression due to reduced sunlight exposure during winter. One study indicates that red and infrared light therapy an reduce the incidence of SAD by up to 50% in those with a history of the condition.

Red Light Therapy for Brain Health

While research is still emerging, photobiomodulation shows the potential to support brain health. Studies suggest that it may improve cognitive function, particularly in individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury. For example, one study found that applying red and infrared light to the forehead twice a week enhanced concentration and memory retention in a patient with a past traumatic brain injury. These benefits may be linked to RLT's ability to increase cellular energy and stimulate cell proliferation in the brain.

Red Light Therapy for Sports Recovery

RLT is a valuable tool for athletes, aiding in muscle recovery and enhancing performance. It reduces inflammation and increases blood flow, leading to faster healing, an improvement in pain, and possibly improved endurance. Photobiomodulation enhances muscle function through increased production of ATP, the primary energy source for muscle activity.

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The Takeaway: Does Red Light Therapy Support Overall Health?

Recent advancements in red light therapy have shifted focus from health applications to beauty and anti-aging, but it’s important to remember the wide range of benefits LED technology offers. To fully harness the potential of your at-home LED devices, keep in mind that the line between health and beauty isn't clear-cut. The same mechanisms that enhance the skin's appearance also contribute to its overall health, making it a win-win treatment option.

  written by Charlotte Rycroft