Red light therapy uses a special kind of red or near-infrared light. The light is between 600 and 1,000 nanometers. This light helps your cells make more energy. When you use red light therapy, the light goes to your mitochondria. Mitochondria are like power plants for your cells. This makes your body create more ATP. ATP is the main energy source for your body. Studies show ATP can go up to 3.5 times higher after a session.

You might see your skin get better. You may feel less pain or heal faster. Clinical data shows up to 87.7% better acne. Skin can also look smoother and firmer.

Key Takeaways

Red light therapy uses special red and near-infrared light. It helps your cells make more energy. It also helps your body heal faster. This therapy helps your skin make more collagen. It can lower pain and swelling. It may help with acne and arthritis. Red light therapy is safe for most people. Side effects are mild and do not last long if used right. You can get red light therapy at clinics with big devices. You can also use small devices at home every day. Always follow the directions. Wear eye protection when you treat your face. This keeps your eyes safe.

Red Light Therapy Basics

What It Is

Red light therapy is a safe treatment. It uses special red and near-infrared light. This light helps your body heal and work better. Some people call it low-level laser light therapy or photobiomodulation. The light is between 600 and 1,000 nanometers. This range is called the "optical window." It lets the light go deep into your skin and tissues. The light does not make your skin hot or hurt you.

• Red light therapy devices use LEDs at 660 nm and 880 nm. These lights reach deep into your skin and muscles. That is why red light therapy can help with many problems.

Here is a table that shows the main facts about red light therapy:

You can get red light therapy in clinics, spas, or at home. Some devices, like the Dynatron Solaris 701, use both red and infrared LEDs. These devices send energy to your skin safely. Most sessions last about one minute for each area. This gives your body enough energy to start healing. You should not feel pain during treatment.

Red light therapy has lots of science behind it. Studies show it helps with pain, healing, and even fat loss. The FDA has approved many devices for these uses. Red light therapy does not use heat or strong power. It uses the right kind of light and energy to help your cells.

How It Works

Red light therapy sends light into your cells. The light goes to the mitochondria. Mitochondria are like tiny power plants in your cells. The light helps mitochondria make more ATP. ATP is the main energy for your body.

• ATP helps your cells fix themselves faster.
• More ATP means you heal better and have less swelling.
• Red light therapy also helps your skin make more collagen.

Studies show red light therapy can boost ATP in fibroblasts by 80% with 660 nm light. Fibroblasts are cells that help make new skin and heal wounds. Collagen can go up by 30% if you use red light therapy often. Blood flow can get better by 20%. This helps your body heal and lowers swelling.

Your skin may look and feel better after a few sessions. Red light therapy helps your body fix itself. It does not hurt or damage your skin. This makes it safe for most people.

• Tip: If you use red light therapy often, your skin can get smoother. You may heal faster and feel less pain from injuries.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy

Skin Health

Red light therapy can help your skin in many ways. It makes your skin look younger and feel smoother. The light goes deep into your skin. It helps your skin cells fix themselves. Collagen grows more, which keeps skin firm and less wrinkled. Studies show red light therapy boosts collagen and fibroblast activity. In one study, 60 people used LED and infrared light at 630 nm and 850 nm. After 8 to 16 weeks, their skin got much better. Most saw at least 69.2% improvement. The study found more collagen and better skin stretch. No serious side effects happened, so it is safe. Many people use red light therapy for acne. They see fewer breakouts and less redness after sessions. It can also help with psoriasis by calming swelling and helping skin heal. You may notice smoother skin and fewer fine lines. Wrinkle reduction is a big benefit. Studies show red light therapy helps skin look younger and brighter. With regular use, your skin can get healthier.

• Tip: For best results, use red light therapy two or three times a week. Doing it often helps your skin make more collagen and stay healthy.

Pain Relief

Red light therapy is good for pain relief. You can use it to help with pain and swelling from many problems. It works by making blood flow better and giving your cells more energy. It also lowers swelling, which helps you feel better.

Here are some ways red light therapy can help with pain:

Less pain and stiffness in arthritis, including red light therapy for arthritis.

• Faster muscle recovery and less soreness after exercise.
• Helps with pain in long-term problems like fibromyalgia.
• Supports healing in injuries like sprains and strains.
• Helps nerves heal and lowers nerve pain.
• Used after surgery to lower pain, swelling, and scar tissue.

You can use red light therapy for tendinopathy and other injuries to heal faster. It helps lower swelling and helps tissues repair. Many people use it for pain because it is safe and has few side effects.

Note: Red light therapy does not replace your doctor, but it can help your pain plan and help you heal faster.

Other Uses

Red light therapy has more benefits than just skin and pain. You can use it for hair growth, brain support, and muscle healing. Studies show it helps men and women with hair loss. In one study, 100 men with hair loss grew more hair. Another study with 75 women showed fuller hair after sessions. A 2020 review found red light therapy gives steady hair growth.

Red light therapy may also help your brain work better. Some people say they remember more and focus better after using near-infrared light. Red light therapy for dementia is being studied. Early research shows it may help brain function and memory.

Athletes use red light therapy to heal muscles and tissues faster. It helps lower pain and swelling after workouts. You can use it to recover faster and get back to sports sooner.