What Is Red Light Therapy?
- June 18, 2024
- Written by : Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS
Red light therapy, or RLT, is a relatively new innovation for anti-aging benefits in skin care. It uses low levels of red lights through several different methods, including lamps, masks and wands, to improve the skin’s appearance by reducing wrinkles, acne, scars and redness.1
Red light therapy benefits
Red light therapy is continually being tested to see how it can be used most effectively. While many experts agree that the studies published so far show potential for treating certain conditions, they also suggest more studies need to be done, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That being said, it’s currently being promoted to treat the following conditions: healing wounds, reducing stretch marks, reducing wrinkles, improving facial texture, improving scars, improving sun damage, improving hair growth for those with alopecia and improving acne. It’s also being promoted to treat psoriasis, rosacea and eczema — among the most common skin conditions after acne.2
In addition to helping with skin conditions, red light therapy is also being investigated as a medical treatment for other conditions. According to the Cleveland Clinic, red light therapy is may be able to reduce side effects from chemotherapy, particularly oral mucositis, in cancer patients. Additionally, red light therapy may help with pain and inflammation of certain chronic conditions, including ankle tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and knee osteoarthritis. Red light therapy may also be able to prevent the reoccurence of cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Can red light therapy cause cancer?
While we may associate ultraviolet rays from sunlight with causing skin cancer, red light therapy doesn’t use UV, and isn’t thought to cause cancer when used correctly.
Is red light therapy safe?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, red light therapy doesn’t have any known side effects and appears safe. Of course, that’s assuming that the devices are being used correctly. Some topical treatments can be harsh, so red light therapy can be a good substitute. Plus, it’s not toxic or invasive.
“As gimmicky as these devices may seem, and seemed to me at first, the technology and science behind them are sound,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Luke Maxfield said in a CNN article.
How does red light therapy work?
Mitochondria are often considered the “power plant” of cells, and red light therapy is thought to activate them. This energy allows cells to work more efficiently to do their jobs, such as repairing skin. By absorbing the light, the cells are stimulated to get to work.
According to the Cleveland Clinc, there are several ways red light therapy may work when it comes to skin health, including stimulating collagen production, increasing fibroblast production, increasing blood circulation and reducing cell inflammation.
Does red light therapy work for weight loss?
Red light therapy has been promoted as a potential medical benefit for a range of conditions. But there’s no scientific evidence that red light therapy can help people lose weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
RESOURCES
- Wunsch, A., & Matuschka, K. (2014). A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 32(2), 93–100. https://doi.org/10.1089/pho.2013.3616
- Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Red Light Therapy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy
- Velasco, M. (2024, April 9). What is red light therapy for skin? Experts explain the anti-aging benefits. CNN Underscored. https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty/red-light-therapy-benefits
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