Red light therapy is a health treatment that uses red light to stimulate the human body’s natural defense systems, and bring relief from various conditions. The basis of this treatment is built on years of research by scientists, including NASA, and anecdotal evidence from those who have tried it.
The foundations of red light therapy has to do with the fact that light in the red spectrum has been found to activate adenosine triphosphate, or ATP in muscle tissue. This releases more energy for the body to use. It also stimulates the skin into producing collagen, which is where the skin-based benefits are realized.
The knowledge of red light therapy has been around since the 1950′s. Repeated studies show that it is an effective treatment for the repair and rejuvenation of skin.
There are a few different conditions that can be treated with red light therapy either alone, or with a combination of blue and red light therapy. Conditions such as poor circulation, acne, eczema, dermatitis are just a few examples.
Red light therapy can also be used for reducing pain and inflammation. Pain from tendonitis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, broken bones, sprains, and strains have all been shown to reduce when undergoing this treatment.
By moving the light over the skin, blood vessels begin to relax and full blood flow is restored. This action is what cures circulation problems and pain. A combination of blue and red light therapy can treat many skin ailments. The blue light kills bacteria and cleans the skin. The red promotes collagen and elastin growth, helping the skin to repair itself quicker.
Facial red light therapy may also be helpful with nervous tics as it relaxes the muscles and promotes healthy blood flow. Mild depression has also been treated with a series of red light therapy treatments, offering some of the same effects that can be found by being in natural sunlight. Medical sources all agree that exposure to sunlight lifts the mood. Red light therapy is an accelerated version of that.
As with most forms of alternative healing, red light therapy has as many critics as supporters. At present, there is no recognized scientific evidence to prove the therapy has any beneficial effects, other than some of those associated with exposure to sunlight.
However, there is an increasing amount of evidence from practitioners, and testimonies from people who have tried it and found cures at least relief from the symptoms. Many will vehemently attest that the treatment facilitates the healing process.
Red light therapy exposure time for the face or skin is fairly short, only 15 to 20 minutes. To get the best results, it’s advisable to thoroughly clean the skin using warm water. Exfoliate, and don’t wear makeup to the treatment.
Using light therapy for pain relief typically takes 30 to 45 minutes for optimum results. It’s then advisable to follow it with a range of stretching and motion exercises to maximize the benefit.
