Red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation therapy and low-level laser therapy), has become increasingly popular in recent years… and for good reason. It uses the power of light to stimulate a variety of internal and external responses. Virtually everyone can benefit from this quick, easy, painless and customizable treatment!
I was first introduced to red light therapy by an aesthetician, who used it on me at the end of a facial a year or so ago. And this past Christmas, my mother-in-law gifted me an at-home LED light mask for my face and neck, that I put on sometimes watching t.v. or just relaxing on the couch. My husband definitely gets a kick out of it!
I started getting to experience full body red light therapy when I worked at Holland Health! I used to do it a few times a week and found it to be a very calming and enjoyable. The panels do put off a little heat, which is great, because I’m usually cold!
We know that light has the ability to affect our biology in several ways. For example, getting bright morning light helps increase melatonin production later in the day, which can improve sleep. On the flip side, too much blue light from screens in the evening may suppress melatonin and keep us awake. We also get vitamin D from the UV rays of the sun. But one of the great things about red light is that its rays are not harmful to the skin, so there is no risk of sun burn or skin cancer. Honestly, I’ve not come across any negative side effects at all! And I also appreciate that you can use it year round, regardless of the weather.
Red light therapy uses a combination of visible red light and invisible infrared light. As you can see, it is able to penetrate deeply, beyond many other wavelengths of light. And that leads to a great deal of benefits, all the way down to the cellular level!
In the Journal of AIMS Biophysics, Harvard researcher Hamblin further found that “PBM (photobiomodulation) has an almost complete lack of reported adverse effects, provided the parameters are understood at least at a basic level.” He goes on to say that “the remarkable range of medical benefits provided by PBM, has led some to suggest that it may be “too good to be true”. However one of the most general benefits of PBM that has recently emerged, is its pronounced anti-inflammatory effects.”
In the functional medicine realm, we are keenly aware that inflammation is at the root of a lot of the chronic issues people experience; so the fact that red light therapy has pronounced anti-inflammatory effects can make it a very valuable asset to overall health!
In addition to the ones in the graphic above, some other research based benefits of red light therapy include:
- better sleep
- weight loss
- treatment of cold sores
- vision protection
- increased libido
- boosts the immune system
- energizing
For the majority of people, it is ideal to start off by doing red light therapy in 10-20 minute sessions 3-5 times a week, and then decreasing the frequency over time if desired, as symptoms improve. You should expose as much skin as possible during the sessions, especially any areas you are specifically focusing on treating. It is not necessary to use eye protection, but some people may choose to if they are sensitive to bright light.
According to The Platinum LED website:
- The optimal distance for an LED light therapy panel – the distance at which the light energy output is strongest – is 6” to 8″. This holds true for all panel sizes. The closer you are, the more concentrated the light energy and the deeper the light photons will penetrate joints, bones, and soft tissues of the body.
- For a mix of skin and deep tissue therapy, place BIO or BIOMAX lights about 12″ – 18″ away from the body, which slightly diffuses the light energy over a wider area.
- To enhance skin health, you can be 18″ – 24″ away from the BIO or BIOMAX lights.
Last year, I got my own Platinum LED red light panel on sale around Black Friday! I love how convenient it is to have at home and be able to use anytime I want! I often sit in front of it and do breathing exercises, stretching/yoga, jumping on my little rebounding trampoline or lifting weights. My husband also turns it on when he works out. It is a great way to get the benefits of those things and red light therapy all at once. I’m guessing they will go on sale again later this month, so keep an eye out!
Although I am a nurse by trade, I am not a doctor or an expert, and the information I provide on this blog is for educational purposes only. Each person is unique and their needs and circumstances vary, so I always recommend that you consult your medical provider before making any changes.
