RLT is still an emerging therapy but holds a lot of promise. If you're interested in red light therapy, speak to a healthcare provider first. While you can use at-home devices, it may be more effective at a doctor's office where the lights are more powerful.
Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (Healthline)
See also: Skincare gadgets: do they really work?
Results can vary depending on your skin type and the wavelength of a red light source. The wavelength of the red light device in a doctor's office compared to an at-home device could affect desired results.
Red light therapy isn't typically covered by health insurance. RLT can be costly; a single session can range from US$25 to US$85.
Speak to a dermatologist before you start red light therapy, as they will be able to identify any skin concerns, discuss the merits of RLT, and suggest other treatment options.
Some studies suggest RLT may help reduce cancer treatment side effects, while other research reviews have found that RLT may increase cancer cell aggression and tumor recurrences.
Results from red light therapy are only apparent after ongoing treatment. You'll most likely need to be seen a couple of times a week for weeks or months.
Red light therapy may also help to reduce chemotherapy side effects, including oral mucositis.
Many of the published studies using red light therapy only included a small number of people and were conducted on animals instead of humans.
If you do purchase a red light therapy device, be sure to shield your eyes for protection.
One clinical trial found that red LED lights used in RLT can cause blistering and redness on the skin when used at high levels.
Red light therapy may help to relieve pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle tendonitis, and osteoarthritis of the knee.
While at-home red light therapy products are generally safe to use, they may be less powerful than devices used by dermatologists.
The type of light used by RLT isn't thought to cause cancer, unlike ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds.
Red light therapy is still an emerging treatment with studies showing potential for certain conditions.
If products are misused, either being used too often or not according to directions, there's a chance the skin or eyes could become damaged.
Red light therapy may be useful for relieving some types of pain, particularly if the pain is due to inflammation.
Red light therapy is believed to increase fibroblast production, which makes collagen.
Red light therapy can increase blood circulation to the tissue which helps improve recovery and healing.
Red light therapy is thought to stimulate collagen production, which gives the skin its strength, structure, and elasticity.
According to experts, red light therapy appears to be safe and isn't associated with any side effects, if used as directed.
There is a lot of ongoing research about red light therapy's effectiveness. While the results of some studies show promise, the treatment's full effectiveness is yet to be determined.
In red light therapy, cells absorb light wavelengths and are stimulated to work.
You may hear red light therapy described as low-level laser light therapy, low-power laser therapy, soft laser therapy, and photobiomodulation and phototherapy.
Red light therapy (RLT) uses low levels of red light to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne.
You may see RLT devices at beauty salons, tanning salons, gyms, and wellness centers, but it's best to visit a dermatologist's office or use an FDA-approved home device.
Red light therapy is sometimes used with photosensitizing medications to help treat certain cancers. This is referred to as photodynamic therapy.
Red light therapy is said to be a treatment for some common skin conditions, including reducing age spots, stretch marks, and fine lines. It may also help improve hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia and improve acne, rosacea, and scarring.
Red light therapy could help to prevent cold sores from recurring.
Red light therapy has been around for decades; it was discovered by the Hungarian physician Endre Mester in the 1960s. But red light therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years to treat skin complaints, as people are keen to try skincare treatments that don't rely on prescription drugs, chemicals, or invasive procedures.
But what is red light therapy, what are the benefits, and are there any side effects of the treatment? This gallery answers these questions and more, so click on to discover all there is to know about red light therapy.
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) experimented with red light therapy for plant growth in space and to help heal astronauts' wounds.
Red light therapy: its benefits, side effects, and uses
Is red light therapy right for you?
HEALTH Skincare
Red light therapy has been around for decades; it was discovered by the Hungarian physician Endre Mester in the 1960s. But red light therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years to treat skin complaints, as people are keen to try skincare treatments that don't rely on prescription drugs, chemicals, or invasive procedures.
But what is red light therapy, what are the benefits, and are there any side effects of the treatment? This gallery answers these questions and more, so click on to discover all there is to know about red light therapy.