What is Red Light Therapy? A Closer Look at its Research-Backed Applications
By Dr. Ashish Bajaj +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ashish Bajaj
Last updated: Apr 30, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Ashish Bajaj +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ashish Bajaj
Last updated: Apr 30, 2024Table of Contents
Ever think about using light for healing? That’s what red light therapy does. It helps fix many health and beauty issues. Medical and beauty fields are taking notice of this new treatment. It helps with skin problems, heals wounds, eases physical pain, and more.
In this post, we’ll look at what red light therapy is, its past, how it works, and what its main uses are. So, are you ready to dive into the world of red light therapy?
Did you know?
Red light therapy started with a Hungarian doctor named Endre Mester back in the 1960s. He found that laser light helped the healing of wounds on rats and boosted their hair growth. After that, people started using light therapy more often. Now, red light therapy devices are common in hospitals, doctor’s offices, wellness centers, and in homes.
Before we get into more detail, have a look at this quick rundown of key events in the history of red light therapy:
| Year | Major Event |
| 1960s | Endre Mester found the healing power of laser light |
| 1970s onwards | Many more studies on light therapy started |
| Present day | Red light therapy is used in many places |
You may ask, how can light heal? The answer lies in red light therapy’s power. It goes deep into the tissues. The cells inside absorb and use the light energy for healing.
Low-level red light touches the mitochondria in your cells. These mitochondria make a key molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). More ATP means more cell energy and better cell work plus revival. This improved action speeds up tissue repair and healing.
Here’s a brief summary of how red light therapy works:
There are various types of red light used in therapy. The two main ones are visible red light and near-infrared light. The first has wavelengths between 620 and 750 nm. The second has longer wavelengths, between 750 and 1,200 nm. The type of light used depends on the depth of treatment required.
LED devices are often used to give red light therapy. They are safer than traditional lasers.
Check out this quick rundown of the two types of red light therapy:
| Types of Red Light Therapy | Wavelength Range | Penetration Depth |
| Visible Red Light | 620 nm to 750 nm | Mild penetration |
| Near-Infrared Light | 750 nm to 1,200 | Deeper penetration |
I strongly recommend that if you decide to buy a red light therapy device, be sure to cover your eyes, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions, and take proper care of the equipment.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
More people are getting interested in red light therapy. Researchers are studying its uses for many health and beauty issues. Let’s dig into these studies.
Red light therapy is getting noticed for its ability to improve skin health. Here’s what it can do:
RLT can stimulate cell healing and revival, thus aiding in wound recovery. It does this by reducing inflammation, enhancing tissue regrowth and fostering new blood vessel formation.
Another use of RLT is to help hair growth. Studies show that red light can touch hair follicles to address hair loss. It isn’t entirely clear how this happens yet. It might be about upping blood flow, collagen growth, or reducing inflammation.
Many people seek red light therapy for pain relief. RLT’s ability to stimulate cell repair and reduce inflammation may help eliminate discomfort from sports injuries, chronic diseases like arthritis and other long-term pain. Plus, RLT may be promising in helping bone recovery after injury.
Bright light therapy has strong anti-inflammatory power. It could prove beneficial in managing inflammation and arthritis symptoms, such as pain, stiffness and swelling.
Dental experts use red light therapy to relieve pain and inflammation from temporomandibular dysfunction, manage gum disease and to help tacklemouth sores.
RLT could help address painful side effects from certain cancer cures. It can help with mouth or throat swelling and inflammation often seen in people receiving radiation for head and neck cancers.
Sun damage can hurt skin’s looks and health. But RLT might be able to help. By speeding up skin repair and collagen production, RLT could be helpful to manage sun-damaged skin and lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
An overview of research-backed applications of RLT:
| Research-Backed Applications | Potential Benefits |
| Skin Health and Conditions | Healthier skin, less acne, diminished wrinkles |
| Wound Healing | Less inflammation, faster tissue repair |
| Hair Growth | Stimulated hair follicles, possible new hair growth |
| Reducing Pain | Reduced pain, better bone recovery |
| Managing Inflammation and Arthritis | Less arthritis symptoms and inflammation |
| Dental Pain Relief | Reduced dental-related pain and inflammation |
| Decreasing Side Effects of Cancer Treatments | Less mouth problems from radiation |
| Reversing Sun Damage | Better skin repair and collagen growth |
In my opinion, at least when used briefly and as instructed, the red light therapy (RLT) seems to be risk-free and has no known negative effects. In comparison to various topical skin healing, this therapy is less harsh, non-invasive, and harmful.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Though generally safe and painless using RLT wrongly could have side effects. If you use it wrong or too much, you could potentially damage your skin or eyes, or cause lesions or burns.
For red light therapy at home, always follow the maker’s instructions. It’s even better if a healthcare provider can help. Also, remember that while RLT looks promising, more studies are needed to know it will always work and is safe long term.
Here’s a quick overview of potential risks:
| Potential Risks of Red Light Therapy | Notes |
| Skin damage | Results from wrong or too much use |
| Lesions and burns | From using the device wrong |
| Eye damage | From not protecting the eyes well |
| Long-term safety unknown | More studies are needed |
If red light therapy isn’t right for you, or you need more help, consider other methods. Acupuncture, anti-inflammatory diets, cognitive behavioral therapy, or other light therapies like blue light for acne could work under consultation of a qualified healthcare professional.
Ask your healthcare provider about the best mix of methods for your unique health needs.
Here’s an overview of potential alternatives:
| Treatment Alternatives | Uses |
| Acupuncture | Helps manage pain and promote healing |
| Anti-inflammatory diet | Reduces inflammation and supports general health |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Helps manage mental health issues, anxiety, stress |
| Blue light therapy | Helps manage acne and other skin problems |
You can get professional red light therapy in many places. Hospitals, doctor’s offices, wellness centers, spas and tanning salons often have it. Before you start RLT, talk to a healthcare provider about treatment choices, how often to go and expected benefits. They can show you the most reputable places for red light therapy.
The FDA has cleared some at-home red light therapy devices. Remember, home devices aren’t as strong as professional ones. You might need more sessions or longer ones to get results. Before using home devices, ask your healthcare provider. They’ll help you use the tool rightly and safely.
The price of red light therapy varies. Professional treatments typically cost between $25 and $200 per session, depending on where you go and what service you get. Since more than one session is usually needed to see changes, the total cost can add up.
At-home red light therapy devices come at different prices. They can start from around $149, with some costing much more.
Insurance coverage for red light therapy is rare. Any out-of-pocket expenses for RLT treatment should be talked about with your insurance provider to see what may be reimbursed.
Red light therapy is a remarkable and promising tool to help heal, lessen inflammation and help managemany beauty and health issues. While research continues to dig into its potential benefits and risks, it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider who knows about red light therapy. That way, you’ll use it safely and effectively.
Red light therapy isn’t a miracle cure, but with its many uses and little invasiveness, it’s a good choice for anyone looking for new treatments or adding to their current health routines.
How often you need red light therapy changes based on the issue being treated and how well you respond. Often, you should get treatments once a week for a month. After that, you might go for follow-ups based on what your healthcare provider advises.
Many doctors say red light therapy has potential benefits. Yet they want more research to know more about how it works and if it is safe for long term use. Your healthcare provider can best tell you if RLT is right for your special needs and guide you to trusted places for treatment.
You may lie in a full-body LED red light bed or pod or be treated by a professional with a device that’s outfitted with panels of red lights. During treatment, you will lie in the bed for a designated amount of time or a practitioner will “apply” the light device to a specific body part.
Yes, you can get FDA-cleared red light therapy devices for use at home. However, always ask your healthcare provider before starting any at-home RLT program to make sure you use it right and avoid potential risks.
Generally, red light therapy is safe for most. Yet, certain individuals like those with sensitive skin, diabetes, or who are pregnant, should talk to their healthcare provider before getting RLT. They can tell if the treatment is good for them.
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