Red-light therapy (RLT) uses low-level wavelengths to help heal and boost your skin. It’s often used for conditions like acne, pain relief, and wound healing.
It can be performed at home using a device that’s similar to those in spas and gyms. Generally, these devices are portable and rechargeable.
Your schedule
Red-light therapy is growing in popularity, and more and more salons, spas, and gyms are offering it as a treatment. While the benefits are numerous, the treatments can be expensive. This means that it may not be feasible for many to get regular treatments, even if they want to see results.
Fortunately, at-home devices allow you to do your own red-light therapy in the comfort of your home. These devices are usually a fraction of the cost of professional sessions, making them more affordable and accessible to more people. However, you should always talk to a healthcare provider before you buy any device and determine whether or not it is right for your wellness goals.
In order to reap the benefits of red-light therapy, you need to do multiple short treatments each week. Experts and manufacturers typically recommend starting out with three 20-minute sessions per week and gradually increasing this frequency as your body adjusts to the treatment.
The frequency of your treatment sessions depends on the type of conditions you are trying to treat. For example, if you are treating skin conditions, you should do the treatment at least twice a day, for around 10 minutes each session. Alternatively, you could use your device on just one area of your face at a time.
Similarly, red-light therapy can be used to treat back pain, though it will take more frequent sessions than skin conditions. About 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point, and it can seriously interfere with your quality of life. For back pain, experts advise doing 10 to 20-minute sessions daily for a month or more.
If you are using a device to address muscle injuries, you should try to use it after every high-intensity activity. This is because exercise and other high-intensity activities cause microscopic muscle tears, and the muscles need time to repair themselves before they can become stronger. Luckily, red-light therapy can help speed up the recovery process.
While it is rare for someone to overdose on red-light therapy, you should be cautious if you have a photosensitizing condition like lupus or are taking photo-sensitizing medications (such as tetracycline, doxycycline, hydrochlorothiazide, or naproxen). If you have any concerns, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting treatment.
Your health
Red-light therapy is a powerful treatment that can address various conditions, from acne scarring to pain relief and promoting healthy cell growth. It can also improve sleep cycles, help the body release toxins, and reduce inflammation, among other benefits.
If you are using red-light therapy for pain relief, most experts and device manufacturers will recommend 3-5 sessions per week at 10-20 minutes each. This is because red-light therapy boosts your cells’ natural ability to heal themselves, so it can take time for your body to reap the full benefits. However, the results are well worth the wait. In just a few treatments, you can start to notice that your pain is lessening, and you are moving more easily. This can lead to a domino effect, where one positive change leads to another and the next.
Likewise, if you’re using it to promote healthy skin, you can expect to see visible results after a few sessions. It boosts blood flow, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your cells, which helps reduce inflammation and speed up healing. It can also stimulate the production of collagen, which is responsible for your skin’s elasticity and strength.
As with any treatment, it’s important to consult a qualified practitioner before starting a new therapy. “For best results, I would recommend you go to someone who has experience with the particular health issue you have,” says Arany. “They can guide you on the right wavelength, duration, and dosage for your specific condition.”
You should also talk to your doctor before trying a new therapy, especially if you’re pregnant or have any photosensitizing medications. The good news is that red-light therapy is safe for most people and won’t damage your eyes or skin.
For most patients, three 20-minute red-light therapy sessions per day will be enough to improve their symptoms. A few more sessions might be necessary for those looking to improve their appearance. Ultimately, you’ll want to determine how often red-light therapy works for you by balancing your symptoms, goals, and schedule.
Your skin
Red-light therapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment that can have a wide range of benefits. It can help reduce signs of aging, promote healthy skin, and relieve pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, or cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus. It can also help improve sleep, increase energy, and boost circulation. However, it’s important to be careful about who you receive this treatment from and where you do it. It is not recommended to use RLT at tanning salons, spas, or gyms and should only be used by a medical professional or health care practitioner trained in its use.
Most experts and device manufacturers recommend 3-5 sessions a week for 10-20 minutes each. This is because, unlike other treatments, red-light therapy works on a deeper level. Instead of masking a problem or causing temporary relief, it boosts your body’s natural healing processes. This is why it can be effective at treating several different issues at once.
In addition, most patients see results sooner than with other treatments, including muscle recovery and a reduction in inflammation. Red-light therapy can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin tone and texture.
The low-intensity near-infrared and red light stimulates cells, triggering them to generate more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy that fuels your body’s natural healing abilities. This is why it can be so beneficial for reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles on your face.
Unlike other laser and light-based treatments, red-light therapy is non-invasive and won’t irritate or damage your skin. It also won’t cause any pain or discomfort, making it easy to fit into your busy life.
However, the frequency of your treatments will depend on the condition you want to treat, how much your skin can handle, and your overall cellular health. It may take one to four months before you start seeing the results of your LED therapy, but the benefits can be long-lasting. To get started, schedule a consultation with an expert and choose the right device for you.
Your budget
Red-light therapy is a nonmedical treatment that is less expensive than more traditional treatments like surgeries or prescription drugs. However, it is still an expense, and you will need to budget accordingly. A good way to plan for the cost of red-light therapy is to consult a dermatologist or pain specialist to help establish your wellness goals and find an at-home device that’s right for you. A medical professional can also provide guidance on the amount of time and frequency you should spend using your red-light therapy device to see optimal results.
Typically, red-light therapy sessions last 10 to 20 minutes. Depending on the device, you can easily fit this in during your daily routine without too much extra work. For example, Hooga’s device comes with mounts to hang it in your bathroom so that you can use it while getting ready in the morning or at night before bed. For many, this is a nice time to meditate or read a book while reaping the benefits of the device.
Another benefit of red-light therapy is that it speeds up wound healing. It promotes circulation and brings oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. This, in turn, reduces inflammation, encourages tissue growth, and improves collagen levels — the protein that gives skin strength and elasticity. This is why it’s such a popular healing method for athletes who experience muscle injuries and soreness after intense physical activity.
Red-light therapy can also stimulate hair follicles, which is helpful for those experiencing hair loss. This effect is usually seen after one to four months of regular treatment. Joovv suggests starting with three to five sessions per week for 10 to 20 minutes. After that, you can reduce sessions to once or twice a week to maintain the effects.
Red-light therapy can also help relieve chronic pain and stiffness. It reduces muscle spasms and increases blood flow to the affected areas. In addition, it can reduce inflammation and increase collagen levels, which helps strengthen joints and connective tissue. If you’re experiencing joint pain or arthritis, start by trying a daily session for about 15 minutes.
