Is red light therapy effective? The short answer: yes. This innovative treatment has been thoroughly studied and offers numerous health benefits, from improving muscle recovery to supporting healthy skin and reducing inflammation. In this blog, we explain how red light therapy works, what the science is behind it, and what benefits you can expect.
Introduction
Red light therapy is also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Like many pivotal scientific breakthroughs, it was discovered by accident when Dr. Endre Mester noticed the positive effects of a low-level laser on hair growth and wound healing in mice. This led to increased scientific interest in stimulating cells to enhance healing and growth, and the field of photobiomodulation was born [1].
Since then, there have been many developments in the field of red light therapy and medicine. Many people use red light therapy for muscle recovery or to maintain healthy skin. It is also used to optimize sleep, reduce inflammation and increase mental alertness.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a simple, noninvasive treatment that delivers red and near-infrared (NIR) light to a person's skin and cells. A high-quality at-home medical device for red light therapy, such as one from Nuvibody , uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to focus red and near-infrared light on your body during a treatment session. When using this type of treatment, a person can see the red light and feel the warmth of the near-infrared (NIR) light.
Red light therapy is similar to the wavelengths of light your body needs from sunlight, but without the heat or UV rays that can cause sun damage. Red light therapy is also a solution to all the bright blue light we are surrounded by every day, which can make it difficult to sleep and lead to other health problems [2]. Many people today work indoors and spend long periods of time looking at screens. Red light therapy can help offset the negative effects of blue light and promote overall health and cellular balance.
Nuvibody recommends 10-minute sessions per treatment area. The session requires nothing more than exposing your skin and standing in front of the Nuvibody lamp while your body absorbs the light. This is an excellent time to meditate, read, or relax while receiving high-quality red light therapy.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Natural red light nourishes your cells. A quality red light therapy device like Nuvibody delivers red & near infrared wavelengths directly to your body using LEDs. These photons of natural, therapeutic light cause a chemical reaction in the mitochondria of your cells that stimulates energy production and regeneration. The two main effects are:
More ATP Energy: Red light therapy reduces oxidative stress and increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP, produced by cellular respiration, is a crucial molecule needed by all living things to create usable energy for your body. It is often referred to as “the energy currency of life.” This article takes a closer look at the science of red light therapy and ATP production.
Enhanced Cell Communication: Specific wavelengths of light help create a better oxidative environment within your cells. This results in the activation of numerous intracellular signaling pathways, increased protein synthesis, enzyme activation, and improved cell cycle progression.
Red Light Therapy Lasers vs LEDs
Red light therapy is different from other forms of treatment because it is painless and does not damage or injure your skin. Red light therapy is not just a superficial treatment. The light can penetrate up to 50 millimeters below the skin's surface, depending on the power [4]; it can even reach your brain, which can improve your mental acuity. Other forms of treatment, such as cold or hot lasers, do not have the same benefits as red light therapy from LEDs. These methods can cause mild pain and also damage the outer layer of the skin [5]. When the top layer of skin is damaged, your body is forced to repair the skin tissue after the treatment. The surface area of the treatment is also very limited with lasers compared to products that use LEDs.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy
The benefits of red light therapy have been tested and published in several medical journals. Here is a list of just a few of the possible systemic benefits of red light therapy:
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Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief: Red light therapy treatments have been shown to help your body's natural inflammation process while you recover from illness or injury.
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Performance and Recovery: Supporting circulation and reducing inflammation with red light therapy can help you heal faster and experience less muscle soreness after exercise.
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Improved Blood Flow: Red light therapy increases blood flow after treatment sessions. This indicates that tissues are receiving more oxygen and other nutrients important for healing.
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Skin Health: Red light therapy can support skin health, not just for the face but for the entire body. The mitochondria in skin cells can absorb red and near infrared light, which provides more energy (ATP), stimulates the synthesis of pro-collagen, collagen, basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) and fibroblast proliferation.
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Hormonal Support: In 2019, a case study was conducted with Bristlecone Medical to investigate the systemic effects of continuous broad spectrum red and near infrared light treatments. One of the outcomes investigated was a positive effect on serum hormonal levels in both male and female participants.
Risks and Side Effects of Red Light Therapy
Nuvibody uses only the red and near infrared wavelengths that are clinically proven to be effective and safe. However, we always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider for specific questions about your health condition.
Safety is paramount when treating your body with an electrical device. Before choosing a red light therapy product, make sure the device meets safety and testing standards. All Nuvibody products have been independently tested by third parties and found to be safe for home use.
Science shows that red light therapy really works
Red light therapy really works and is a great option for simple health improvements in your own home. But it is crucial to make sure that the device you use on your body is safe and meets all applicable standards for medical devices, such as Nuvibody products.
Sources and references:
[1] Randa Zein, Wayne Selting, Michael R. Hamblin, et al. Review of light parameters and photobiomodulation efficacy: dive into complexity. SPIE Digital. 2018 Dec 11.
[2] Nazish Rafique, Lubna Ibrahim Al-Asoom, Ahmed Abdulrahman Alsunni, Farhat Nadeem Saudagar, Latifah Almulhim, Gaeda Alkaltham. Effects of mobile use on subjective sleep quality. Nat Sci Sleep. 2020 Jun 23.
[3] Hamblin M. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics. 2017 May.
[4] Di Hu, Marc van Zeyl, Krisztina Valter, Jason R Potas, et al. Sex, but not skin tone affects penetration of red-light (660 nm) through sites susceptible to sport injury in lean live and cadaveric tissue issues. Journal of Biophotonics. 2019 July 12.
[5] Marek Jankowski, Mariusz Gawrych, Urszula Adamska, Jakub Ciescinski, Zbigniew Serafin, Rafal Czajkowski, et al. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) reduces subcutaneous adipose tissue not through local adipocyte damage, but rather through modulation of systemic lipid metabolism. Lasers in Medical Science. 2016 July 6.
