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Is Red Light Therapy Bad For You?

Is Red Light Therapy Bad For You

When we undergo novel therapies, we may be skeptical at first. All that glitters is not gold, and doubts regarding the therapy’s safety and effectiveness may arise.

Is red light therapy bad for you? Are the results worth it? It’s only natural to have these concerns. Fortunately, research and studies indicate that light therapy is safe and pain-free, besides being effective.

This article will cover what red light therapy (RLT) is, how it works, and what its applications are. It will also answer the most frequent question: Is red light therapy bad for you?

What Is Red Light Therapy RLT

Also known as Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), red light therapy is given utilizing low-energy light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Red light therapy uses light and diodes to relieve pain, tackle skin issues, speed up wound healing, and counter other health problems.

Further research, studies, and publications are necessary to determine LLLT’s effectiveness. However, the results and conclusions of studies conducted are suggesting that red light therapy can play a major role in dealing with health issues.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Researchers believe that certain wavelengths of light can improve the functioning of mitochondria, which are responsible for taking in nutrients and breaking them down to create ATP (energy molecules).

Red light therapy improves cellular respiration, thus increasing ATP production. As a result, the functioning of the entire cell improves. Thanks to higher energy levels, cells perform better, repairing and rejuvenating skin or boosting new-cell growth.

That’s one of the first indicators that red light therapy is not bad for you but rather the opposite.

Benefits And Uses Of Red Light Therapy

Benefits And Uses Of Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy has been proven to work for several different conditions. What is more, it seems to play an essential role in skin health. Due to the skin repair and rejuvenation, this type of therapy appears to:

  • Promote collagen production, responsible for skin structure, strength, and elasticity.
  • Improve fibroblast production, responsible for producing collagen. Collagen, on its behalf, is a component of connective tissue that builds skin.
  • Improve blood circulation to tissues.
  • Reduce inflammation in cells.

Thanks to these properties, RLT is used in several skin-related treatments, such as:

Besides skin treatments, there are other applications of LLLT. Doctors have used LED therapies for years – it’s only now they’re making their way into our homes. If you suffer from pain, stress, or recurrent inflammations, you might want to consider getting one of these devices to use at home.

According to research, red light therapy helps with pain relief, improves blood circulation, reduces tissue and muscle inflammation, and even aids in weight loss. Of course, it is always a plus if you combine the treatment with a healthy lifestyle.

Are There Any Downsides?

As with any other treatment, there are some potential risks. Red light therapy may cause eye strain or headaches, but these symptoms are usually mild. If you have sensitive skin, you will probably experience redness after sessions.

Some people have reported skin burns after falling asleep with the machine on. However, besides misuse of the red light, researchers and users have not identified any potential serious dangers. The treatment is pain-free and non-invasive, making it safe to get even on a daily basis.

Conclusion

Is red light therapy bad for you? The answer is no. Red light therapy is not dangerous but rather the opposite, it helps with different conditions and improves cell functioning.

Note that there are some specific cases in which individuals should avoid undergoing or overusing this therapy. For example, if your goal is to improve your acne condition, you should not have daily sessions. The reason for this is that red light therapy targets sebaceous glands and dries the skin, which can lead to a potential breakout.

On the other hand, if you suffer from skin conditions like lupus, you should stay away from LLLT and derivatives. People who have a higher light sensitivity are generally not suitable for RLT.

Even if you are a healthy adult, it’s always advisable to consult your doctor. They will know better than anyone what you need, and what will work for you. They may even combine red light therapy with additional treatments to achieve better results.