What Is Red LED Light Therapy Good For?

Research into the benefits of red-light therapy is increasingly expanding into all areas of health care. It has been known for a while now that natural light has more red light than blue light, and as our ancestors would have spent the majority of their day outside their exposure to red light would have been one of their means of staying healthy. In today’s society we generally spend more time inside than ‘en plein air’ and that has numerous implications for our health which we may not have realised up until now.

 

Production of Melatonin:

Exposure to red light stimulates the production of melatonin which is essential for us to experience deep sleep.

 

Neuropathic pain relief:

Photobiomodulation, another name for red light therapy, has been shown to alleviate nerve pain by increasing cellular function and efficacy, and in reducing oxidative stress.

 

Improved recovery from stroke:

Conclusive evidence has shown improved recovery outcomes in sufferers of moderate to severe strokes. With daily exposure to red light 70 percent of patients who had had stroke recovered fully versus 51 percent of the group of patients who had not been exposed to the red light.

 

Psychiatric Disorders:

In a study conducted in 2009, world-renowned red light therapy expert Michael Hamlin demonstrated that red light applied to the forehead was shown to help patients suffering from major depression and anxiety, with no adverse side effects.

 

Mood Disorders:

Even if you do not suffer from psychiatric disorders or depression, long dark winters can take a toll on your sense of wellbeing. Red light therapy has been shown to bring about an improved sense of happiness, comfort and security in people exposed to it on a regular basis.

 

Muscle recovery and enhanced muscle strength:

A 2017 study on footballers showed that red light therapy before activity enhanced performance as well as post exercise recovery.

 

Recouperation post-plastic surgery:

During a 2015 study, researchers in South Korean discovered that red light therapy reduced downtime in patients who underwent plastic surgery, as it sped up recovery, and reduced swelling, infection, bruising and pain.

 

Accelerated wound healing:

Patients with different types of wounds were exposed to red light therapy in a study in 2013 and all of them reported less discomfort, control of infections and expedited healing.

 

Improved bone density:

 

In 2008 researchers from Brazil demonstrated that red light therapy improved bone health by stimulating new bone growth.

 

Hair growth:

Red LED light has been known to improve hair growth. In one study 37% of women and 35% of men saw an increase in hair density. The results were even greater with women experiencing androgenetic alopecia, who had a 51% increase in hair production. It works by stimulate cellular activity in the hair follicles thereby increasing the volume of hair.

 

Myopathy (near sightedness):

Red light therapy has been shown to be effective for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and even visual acuity.

 

Orthodontics and tooth alignment:

A clinical trial published in 2016 confirms that using red light therapy supported faster realignment of teeth for patients undergoing orthodontics.

 

Cancer research:

There are currently studies underway to examine the possibility of reducing the size of tumours with red light therapy. Although ongoing the results are looking promising.

 

Skin care and aging:

Clinical trials have shown that red LED light therapy stimulates the cells in the skin called fibroblasts, that are responsible for the production of elastin and collagen. Through the regeneration of these skin cells, not only can our skin stay looking younger for longer but irregularities on the skin, such as brown spots and redness, have also disappear.

 

So what does this all mean for us?

Red light therapy is not a ‘quick fix’. Most of the studies examined show ongoing consistent use of a red LED light therapy device, for about 20-30 minutes a day (depending on the condition) three to five days a week, was what produced results.

 

For skincare it is a great adjunct to other skincare protocols like healthy eating, exercise, having a good skincare regime of cleansing, toning, moisturising and facial massage. In short, red LED light therapy has been proven to enable skin radiance without the use of painful and harmful interventions such as fillers, injectables or plastic surgery.