Red Light Therapy – We all want to look younger; that’s why there are products dedicated to anti-aging marketed to us. But there is another treatment we can use that is safer for our skin; red light therapy.
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What is Red Light Therapy?
Though it is known by many different names, red light therapy is a form of phototherapy that uses low wavelengths of red light. Research suggests that red light therapy can help with improving the appearance of the skin, reducing wrinkles, redness, and even acne, along with other medical conditions. It’s showing great promise in the skincare world, and more people are beginning to turn to it.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
Red light can penetrate into the very top layer of the skin and travel to the deepest levels, known as the dermis. This is the area of skin where our collagen, elastin, and other essential proteins reside and are created. It is thought that the red light interacts with the mitochondria. The red light is absorbed by our cells and then converted into energy; with this extra energy, the cells can work efficiently and promote skin repair and new cell growth.
What Can Red Light Therapy Be Used to Treat?
Research and studies have shown that red light therapy is effective in treating the following:
- Stretch marks
- Wrinkles, fine lines, age spots
- Scars
- Wound Healing
- Psoriasis, rosacea, eczema
- Sun damaged skin
Overall Benefits
In regards to anti-aging, [red light therapy] repairs the skin and boosts new cell growth, which enhances skin rejuvenation and smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles. However, this light therapy can also have other potential positive benefits like:
- Healing of sun damage
- Diminishes scars and other cosmetic blemishes
- Relieves pain and inflammation
- Clearing acne
There are other possible benefits one might receive from [red light therapy], but more research is needed to confirm them.
How Do Wrinkles Form
Wrinkles are creases and folds in the skin, and there are many things that contribute to the formation of wrinkles, the most common of which is age. Other causes of wrinkles are:
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
- Dehydration
- Certain medications
- Environmental factors
- Smiling
- Frowning
- Squinting
Skin in younger individuals is elastic and healthy, so it springs back. As we grow older, the skin begins to lose that same elasticity, and this can result in permanent grooves and lines.
Wrinkle Reducing
[Red Light therapy] works to reduce wrinkles in several different ways.
- [Red light therapy] spurs the mitochondria to release more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to increase metabolism, cell regeneration, and other cellular processes.
- Light therapy also works to stimulate blood circulation and the development of new capillaries. This delivers more nutrients and oxygen to the skin, which in turn results in a healthier appearance.
- [Red light therapy] also promotes more activity in the lymphatic system to help reduce puffiness and swelling. With better blood circulation, this system works to remove excess fluids and waste from the skin.
- The light from [red light therapy] boosts the body’s production of both collagen and fibroblasts. They are what contribute to a youthful appearance and give your skin an elastic, firm look.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe?
There have been no reported adverse effects of [red light therapy]. Longer exposure can result in a temporary redness to the skin, but it is safe to use.
Since it involves the usage of light, it is recommended to use eye protection when undergoing red light treatment.
Where to Find?
[Red light therapy] treatments can be located in several different spaces: dermatologist clinics, medical spas, and beauty salons. The treatments are done in sessions, and results can take a few days to appear.
There are also red light therapy devices you can use from the comfort and convenience of your own home, and they are FDA approved and safe to use. There are many light therapy devices available on the market at affordable prices, though they may not use the same intensity of light you might find with a professional.