RED LIGHT THERAPY
A red light therapy device sends low-intensity red and near-infrared light deep into the body’s cells to promote healing. Red light therapy is noninvasive, painless, and does not use heat.
Red light therapy uses low-power red light to activate the cell’s energy generators (mitochondria). Most of the energy made by the mitochondria is housed in a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which helps your body store and use energy.
Aging, illness, or lifestyle factors can make the mitochondria produce less ATP. Red light therapy triggers a reaction that helps reverse the decline.
BENEFITS OF RED LIGHT THERAPY
FAQ'S
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RED LIGHT THERAPY AND NEAR INFRARED?
Red and near infrared (NIR) light are both natural types of light which come from the sun and have been clinically proven to enhance cellular function. The main differences are that red light at 660nm only penetrates the body up to a depth of about 5-10mm and may contribute greatly to improved skin health and collagen production. Near infrared light at 850nm is invisible to the human eye and penetrates deeper into the body, between 50mm and 75mm, providing energetic and anti-inflammatory benefits at these levels which has been shown to increase muscle recovery and reduce joint pain, amongst many other benefits.
DO I NEED EYE PROTECTION?
No! Red light therapy is great for the eyes! Our eyes are very dense with mitochondria and they benefit just the same as the rest of the cells of the body do with red light therapy! The LED’s are very bright so can be uncomfortable to look at, but its not harmful!
CAN IT CAUSE DETOX SYMPTOMS?
Some people may feel less than well after their first few red light therapy sessions. This may include headaches, nausea or fatigue like feelings. This is most often due to their bodies having a sudden boost of cellular energy which may lead to increased function of the detox pathways resulting in some movement of toxins through and out the body.
If you’re experiencing these types of effects, we recommend starting out with 1-2 minute treatments, slowly working up to a standard 10-minute session over the course of 2-3 weeks. If symptoms continue after this period, please consult your doctor.
CAN I USE RED LIGHT THERAPY IF IM PREGNANT?
At this stage, there is no clinical evidence that RLT may be beneficial or harmful for pregnant women. Most experts suggest it would in fact be very beneficial as mom and baby would both experience a good burst of energy. Please always consult with your doctor if you’re pregnant before using RLT.
WILL RED LIGHT THERAPY AFFECT LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Light therapy has been found to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth in studies and trials. If you’ve received laser hair removal in the past, it’s possible that light therapy could result in hair regrowth. If you have concerns, we recommend reaching out to a laser hair professional.
CAN I USE THE RED LIGHT THERAPY WITH A WET SURFACE? WHAT ABOUT WITH AN INFRARED SAUNA TREATMENT?
There is no hard science on this subject at the time of publishing this. However, we do not recommending combining the 2 therapies at this stage. The mechanism of sauna and red light therapy, Although often spoken of as if they are the same thing, are not. The heat and light acts on the cells in different ways and to stimulate the cells in both these ways at the same time, may be counter productive.
