You’ve probably seen women using red light on their faces to combat signs of aging. It’s been known for some time that red light can stimulate collagen production and cell turnover, helping eliminate wrinkles, acne, scars, and redness. But more and more doctors are using red light therapy for pain management. It’s been discovered that red light stimulates the cells in a way that reduces inflammation, soothing chronic pain and even easing some side effects of chemotherapy.
Red light therapy for pain management is still a relatively new practice in the medical field, but the results so far are promising. This is an incredible step toward holistic pain relief without added side effects or drug dependency. For too long, doctors have handed out addictive opioids to patients without providing alternatives. If you suffer from chronic pain and inflammation, consider talking with your doctor about red light therapy or book a red light session at a nearby facility.
How Red Light Works
Red light, or photobiomodulation, can be done with a a variety of devices and tools, at local wellness facilities, or in a medical environment. Devices include face masks, handheld wands, lamps or panels, blankets, and therapy beds — almost like a tanning bed, without the harmful UV rays. Most doctors and devices recommend a 15 minute red light session.
They work by producing light waves of around 630-850nm in length to penetrate the skin and underlying tissues all the way down to the cellular level. The light waves stimulate the mitochondria (the power house of the cell) into creating more ATP, or energy, which improves cell function and repair.
Improved cell function can reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and increase collagen and cell production. All of this together helps regenerate and repair your muscles and tissue. Some people report pain relief the very next day, while others say it took multiple sessions. As long as you are using the appropriate light, following the device’s instructions, and wearing protective eye-goggles, then there shouldn’t be any adverse side effects.
Read More: Add CBD oil to your fight against chronic inflammation?
Uses of Red Light Therapy
Doctors, athletes, and beauticians are finding new and unique ways to employ red light to improve people’s lives. It was first discovered that red light therapy can reduce the signs of aging on your skin, like wrinkles. It can also help treat aggravating skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. Some studies have also shown that red light therapy can help with hair growth and hair thickness.
Another use of red light therapy that some athletes swear by is to improve strength, athletic performance, and workout recovery. Some research suggests that red light can lower the levels of enzymes associated with muscle aches and damage post-workout.
For pain management, red light is primarily effective at reducing inflammation, which in turn reduces pain. Red light therapy has been used to help people with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, knee pain, and temporomandibular disorders (a.k.a. jaw pain and headaches).
Doctors at MD Anderson even use red light therapy for cancer care to combat some side effects of chemotherapy. Primarily, they use red light to eliminate painful mouth sores (oral mucositis), but it can also be used for general pain and inflammation.
Read More: 4 Red Light Therapy Devices that Deliver a Real Glow Up
Are There Any Risks?
There are very few risks of red light therapy, as long as you follow the instructions of the device you are using and always listen to your doctor. If you place the light too close to your skin, you could get burns and redness. Additionally, if you have a darker skin tone, then you could be at a higher risk of hyperpigmentation.
Always wear eye protection when you’re face is exposed to the light, such as with an at-home light panel or in a therapy bed. Your device should come with a pair of protective goggles to shield your eyes from the light, and any facility you go to should provide the proper protection.
Doctors also advise against red light therapy if you are pregnant. There simply hasn’t been enough research done yet to determine whether pregnancy would increase the risk of adverse side effects, due to differences in hormones that may effect your skin.
Read Next:
Can’t Sleep Because You’re Stressed? Try Tapping Your Way to Calm
6 Exercises for Toned Arms + 2 Healthy Habits to Sleeveless Happiness
Why Are Women Taking Allegra and Pepcid AC for Perimenopause?
