Debunking The Myths About Red Light Therapy
Myth: Red Light Therapy is Ineffective
There are many misconceptions surrounding the science behind red light therapy, leading to skepticism about its effectiveness. However, high-quality red light therapy (RLT) panels are far superior to a standard red-filtered lightbulb. Most store-bought red light bulbs do not emit the therapeutic red (R) and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths necessary for effective treatment.
In contrast, RLT panels emit red and near-infrared light, which is absorbed into tissues, stimulating the mitochondria in cells to produce more energy. This increased energy output helps cells function more efficiently, leading to a positive cascade of benefits throughout the body. One key result of enhanced energy production is a reduction in healing time.
Additionally, red light therapy is known to reduce inflammation—a major contributor to many chronic diseases and skin conditions, such as acne and psoriasis.
Red light activates fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin. It also stimulates bone cells, the endothelial cells lining blood vessels, as well as skin, muscle, and hair cells.
Myth: All Red-Light Therapy Devices Are Equal
Not all red-light therapy devices offer the same benefits. Here are some warning signs that a device may provide limited therapeutic value:
• Low intensity and weak power output
• Fewer therapeutic wavelengths or wavelengths outside the optimal therapeutic range
• Yellow, green, or purple light, which offer minimal therapeutic effects
• Small, targeted devices that fall short compared to larger panels for comprehensive treatment
• Pulsating light, which is an ineffective design and lacks therapeutic benefit
HealthyTrac red light therapy panels are both versatile and powerful, delivering a range of therapeutic wavelengths to support targeted as well as whole-body treatments.
Myth: NIR Light Causes Unwanted Facial Fat Loss
Not only is this false, but clinical studies point to significant skin-enhancing benefits of NIR light.
These include reduced fine lines and wrinkles, reduced age spots, and improved skin firmness and skin texture.
Although red light therapy has been shown to help with weight loss, studies on RLT have not reported a loss of facial fat. Some researchers suggest that NIR therapy can help repair damaged fat cells or help patients lose weight, but these findings do not implicate facial fat loss as an issue.
Obviously, extensive sun exposure does cause harm to the skin, but red-light therapy LEDs do not emit radiation. In this respect, they are completely different to sun tanning booths, which may actually have serious health implications due to radiation exposure.
Myth: Red Light Therapy is Only Effective for Skin Conditions
Red light therapy also incorporates NIR (Near Infrared) wavelengths, which penetrate deeper than just the skin’s surface, providing a wide range of health benefits. NIR light reaches deep tissues within the body, including muscles, joints, and even internal organs.
The potential advantages include:
- Addressing hair loss
- Strengthening the immune system
- Reducing inflammation
- Accelerating wound healing
- Speeding up post-exercise recovery
- Helping with neuropathy or nerve damage
- Alleviating osteoarthritis or lower back pain
- And many other benefits arising from stimulating and energizing the mitochondria.
Myth: NIR Light Causes Hyperpigmentation
NIR light is a treatment for melasma, which is hyperpigmentation due to sun exposure.
It lightens dark areas and evens out skin tone. It also ‘preconditions’ the skin to help reduce future UV damage.
Red light therapy is also commonly used to treat vitiligo (the opposite of melasma), where it stimulates re-pigmentation and evens out skin tone.
Myth: Red Light Therapy Can Burn the Skin
While red light therapy devices do emit some warmth, the idea that they can burn the skin is highly exaggerated. The heat generated by most RLT panels is generally minimal, especially when used according to recommended guidelines of five to twenty minutes per session.
The level of heat absorbed during red light therapy varies based on the user’s melanin levels. Individuals with darker skin tend to absorb more heat, while those with lighter skin reflect it. Although the warmth is typically mild, users can reduce it further by increasing the distance between themselves and the red-light therapy device during sessions.
Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light, red light does not cause cellular damage, so it doesn’t lead to sunburn or tanning. In fact, regular use of red light therapy may even offer some protection against sunburn by boosting melanin production in the skin.
Myth: Red Light Therapy Is Only for Humans
Red light therapy can be used on a horse, cat, dog, or any other mammal.
Research shows that it more or less has all the same health benefits on animals as it does on humans due to the biological systems that we have in common with them, although there may be some degree of variation.
Myth: Red Light Therapy Works Instantly
Red light therapy works at the cellular level. You may feel some fast relief from pain, but in general users may require some time for their body to heal.
Skin cells turn over once a month but not all at the same time. If you’re using red light therapy to clear up acne, the light will immediately kill acne-causing bacteria and quickly reduce inflammation, but the body will need time to rebuild healthy skin.
Most users will see improvement in their skin within 4-8 weeks. Since red light therapy is safe for long-term use, users can continue to build on these benefits to “turn back the clock” on aging skin and to control inflammatory skin conditions.