One frequent concern that people express when using light therapy, especially the red one, is whether it is safe to use red light therapy every day. It’s natural to have these worries. However, here is some good news: it’s safe to undergo red light therapy on a daily basis.
If you want to know more, this article covers what red light therapy is, deals with its potential side effects, and explains why it’s safe to undergo red light therapy even on a daily basis.
Red Light Therapy is also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). Thanks to LEDs, the low-energy light-emitting diodes, red light therapy works as a pain reliever or cell functions promoter.
Unlike diodes with a higher power, red light therapy doesn’t damage the human body tissues in any way. Quite the opposite, red light therapy is effective in speeding up wound healing or relieving pain in conditions like arthritis. How Long Should I Use Light Therapy? Learn more by clicking the link.
How Does It Work?
Certain wavelengths of light can supposedly improve the functioning of mitochondria, which break down nutrients to create energy (ATP). By improving cellular respiration and producing higher amounts of ATP, the functioning of the entire cell improves.
Benefits Of Red Light Therapy
The benefits of red light therapy are numerous, but here are some of the major ones:
- It improves blood flow. Our natural response to heat is that blood vessels dilate, which is what also happens when you are exposed to red light. As a result of red light exposure, the blood circulates better, delivering oxygen more efficiently.
- It reduces inflammation as a result of increased blood flow.
- It relieves muscle spasms and reduces pain, mainly due to the effects mentioned above.
- It reduces acne. Thanks to the inflammation reduction and better blood flow, if you have issues with acne, you can experience considerable improvement.
- Some people even claim it helps with weight loss. Of course, it is necessary to accompany the LED treatment with a healthy diet and an exercise routine.
- It can be used for cosmetics purposes, for the treatment of wrinkles, or for stretch mark treatment.
Although further research is necessary to understand this therapy better and establish if it is effective, several studies have proven its positive impacts on the human body. What Is Green Light Therapy Used For? Find out here.
Potential Side Effects Of Red Light Therapy
We’ve mentioned the benefits and advantages of this therapy. Now, the question may arise as to whether there are side effects. Is red light therapy safe?
The answer is yes, it is. While there may be adverse reactions when undergoing red light therapy such as eye strain or headaches, they are usually mild and go away quickly. If your skin is sensitive, you may also experience redness, which is normal and should not concern you.
LLLT treatments are non-invasive and pain-free, which means that there’s no need for recovery after undergoing them. You can move on with your regular life activities right after, and it’s not common to experience the side effects mentioned above.
Note that there have been reports of burns after falling asleep with the lights on. Being exposed to the diodes for an excessive amount of time might result in burns or eyestrain, especially since the recommended session length is under 30 minutes.
Unless you misuse the machine, you will be fine.
Is It Safe To Use Red Light Therapy Every Day?
It is generally recommended to use red light therapy 3 to 5 times a week. However, the frequency of use may vary depending on the treatment you need. Some people need to receive red light therapy multiple times per day, while others might only need one session a week.
The best advice is always to consult your doctor about it, as doctors are trained health professionals and they know better than anyone what your personal health requirements are. They may suggest a traditional treatment along with the LLLT and schedule check-up appointments to ensure that everything is going well.
One thing to note is that if acne reduction is your goal with red light therapy, you should not overuse it. That’s because red light therapy targets the glands that produce lube and sebum that are necessary for lubricating your skin. Dry skin may lead to a breakout, so bear this in mind when you are undergoing red light therapy.
What Color Light Helps With Depression? Click here to read more.
Conclusion
As already mentioned, the red light therapy treatment is pain-free, and the risks are virtually non-existent. If you aim to alleviate pain, improve blood flow, or use red light therapy to gain any of the previously mentioned benefits, there seems to be no frequency limit – you can’t overdo red light therapy. At least, that’s what Michael Hambling, professor at Harvard Medical School, says. And what the clients’ reviews say too.
