Red light therapy is a procedure designed to help heal your skin, ranging from reducing stretch marks and wrinkles to improving its tone and complexion. The treatment exposes you to low-level or near infrared red light and is believed to produce a wide variety of health and skincare benefits.
Many people aren’t sure exactly what red light therapy is, how it works and whether it’s effective for your skin. Below, we’ll outline all you need to know about this treatment including what benefits this procedure can produce.
What is red light therapy?
Red light therapy (RLT) is a non invasive treatment that utilises red, natural light known to assist a range of health conditions. This can include skin ailments such as stretch marks, wounds, scars and wrinkles. It is also known as photobiomodulation, low-power laser therapy, photonic stimulation and low-level laser light therapy (LLLT).
Originally, RLT was used by scientists to grow plants in outer space. They found that the light from the red light-emitting diodes (LED) were surprisingly effective at fostering photosynthesis.
When this discovery first came to ‘light’ (so to speak), the red light was later analysed for its potential medical benefits. Scientists wanted to know if RLT could be used to boost the energy in the cells of human beings.
You can find different types of red light therapy in different locations. If you attend a clinic or a salon, you may be asked to lie down on a red where you can receive treatment for wrinkles and stretch marks. You can also attend a doctor’s office and receive red light treatment to address more severe skin issues like wounds or psoriasis. You may even to do the treatment yourself at home with led face mask.
How does it work?
Red light therapy works by strengthening the mitochondria, the energy source of the cells in your body. The treatment stimulates your cells through creating a compound known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is an organic composite responsible for carrying energy inside your cells.
By boosting the effectiveness of the mitochondria, your cells can create more ATP. This means they’ll have more energy to fix damage and rejuvenate.
Red light isn’t the same thing as laser treatment. RLT doesn’t damage your skin. It passes through the outer layer of your skin and directly penetrates around 5 millimetres below the surface.
What does red light do for skin?
Through probing deep into your skin, red light therapy can energise the production of collagen, elastin and fibroblasts. Collagen is a natural occurring protein that can help your skin recover when it experiences harm. We’ll outline more about what red light can do for your skin below.
Clears acne
Red light therapy can assist lower the levels of bacteria and oil in your skin. While regular therapy like antibiotics has varied results, RLT can potentially offer a unique alternative especially if the acne is beginning to scar.
A 2007 study published in Dermatologic Surgery looked at the effectiveness of red light phototherapy in treating acne vulgaris (i.e. common acne). The study found an improvement on each side of the face over the course of 8 weeks, concluding that “red light phototherapy alone can be a new therapeutic option for acne vulgaris”.
Creates an anti-aging effect
RLT produces collages and facilitates blood circulation, and thereby reduces wrinkles and lines on your skin. It can also tighten your skin, improve its tone, complexion and reduce the size of your pores.
A 2014 study published in Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery found that LLLT has “beneficial effects on wrinkles, acne scars, hypertrophic scars, and healing of burns”. It can also be useful to address certain pigmentary conditions like vitiligo.
Removes scars and other marks
The treatment can also lighten age spots and alleviate the effects of sun damage on your skin. It can also lower the level of scars and contribute to the repair of your body tissue.
According to a 2010 study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, there was a “significant improvement” of hypertrophic and keloid scars when treated by near infrared light. A more recent 2021 study in Journal of Biophotonics also found that light emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) phototherapy had the potential to reduce post-surgical scarring.
Assists psoriasis and eczema
RLT can act as an anti inflammator, and thereby reduce pain and itching that is often a symptom of skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. The therapy can also reduce the likelihood of symptoms arising in the future.
The studies in this particular area are limited. However, a small-scale study of LLLT on plaque psoriasis published in Photomedicine and laser surgery found no adverse side effects and a clearance rate of between 60 to 100%. “The promising results,” according to the study, “warrant a proper controlled double-blind study with a larger patient population”.
Makes your overall skin look beautiful
After receiving the treatment, you may notice generally your skin looking more youthful and toned. You may notice it to be brighter, clearer and have less wrinkles.
Overall, RLT is an effective skincare remedy design to promote clear and young-looking skin.
But there are also other benefits of red light therapy which goes just beyond helping your skin. Some of these potential advantages include:
- Reducing your weight
- Alleviating pain
- Helping you sleep
- Muscle recovery and repair
You should, however, always consult your doctor to understand what potential health benefits you may experience. The studies of red light therapy on skin care are limited, and there is still much to understand about this type of treatment.
Get your red light treatment at Cryospa Clinics
At Cryospa Clinics, we offer high-quality red light therapy in Sydney – specifically using devices that emit 633nm of red light. We used red light lamps to help our visitors realise the potential that this therapy can offer.
Our clinic is based in Sydney’s North Shore, and we focus on helping you rejuvenate your mind, body and through incredible whole body treatment.
Red light therapy is designed to achieve that – and we’re committed to delivering you the best skin treatment for you.
