One of the wellness trends that has been circulating recently is red light therapy (RLT). It’s a good idea to always err on the side of caution when it comes to things that could impact your health, so it’s a good idea to ask the question, “Is red light therapy safe?”
In this article, we aim to give you a better understanding of what RLT is, how it works, and what the potential benefits and risks are. Ultimately, we aim to let you know if red light therapy is safe.
What is Red Light Therapy?
RLT is a technique that involves exposing your body to low-wavelength red light with the aim of treating a range of skin conditions, which can include scarring and signs of aging like wrinkles.
The low-wavelength red light is able to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin where the mitochondria in the skin cells absorb the light particles and encourage the production of adenosine triphosphate (the energy source for all cells). With additional energy, it’s suggested that the cells may be able to rejuvenate themselves better.
However, it’s important to note that this treatment is still in the early stages of being researched, and while there are many studies that show that the treatment has promise, there is a lack of evidence to conclude the full effects of RLT. Anyone considering starting new therapies, like red light therapy, should always seek medical advice first.
When used short-term and as directed, RLT appears to be a safe treatment with no known side effects. It’s noninvasive, nontoxic, and not harsh on the skin, unlike some topical skin treatments. RLT does not use cancer-causing ultraviolet light.
However, when the RLT products are misused, whether it’s because people aren’t following the instructions or are used too frequently, there is a risk of causing damage to your skin or eyes if unprotected.
Once again, there are not enough studies that have been conducted on red light therapy, and therefore, the long-term safety of red light devices is still unknown. It’s always recommended to consult a medical professional, like a dermatologist, to ensure your skin condition would benefit from red light therapy.
What are the Benefits of RLT?
Even though red light therapy is a very new concept, there are many different benefits that people with a range of skin conditions might find that it could effectively treat. Here are some of the potential benefits of red light therapy:
May Reduce Signs of Aging
A majority of the people who have expressed an interest in RLT are drawn to it because of the potential skin health benefits. There is limited evidence that suggests that RLT may help with improving skin health and cosmetic appearance by:
- Boosting collagen production, which gives the skin its elasticity, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkle severity.
- Boosting fibroblast production, which further helps produce collagen and various tissue fibers to also reduce wrinkles and scarring
May Improve Acne
Red light therapy has the potential to help treat acne vulgaris, either by itself or in combination with blue light therapy. Due to the ability of the light to possibly penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, it’s been shown that you may be able to:
- Reduce inflammation with red light therapy and improve sebum production in the skin cells to reduce irritation and treat acne
- Reduce inflammation, stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), and increase fibroblasts and collagen to aid with healing wounds
May Promote Hair Growth
There are certain forms of red light therapy that may help promote hair growth. One study showed promising evidence that a certain application of red light band stimulated hair follicle proliferation. Another overview found that the implementation of red light therapy in treating androgenetic alopecia may have a positive effect on hair growth in conjunction with prescription hair growth medication.
Final Thoughts
As of yet, there are no known risks associated with responsible and short-term use of RLT, and there are many potential benefits of this treatment that are worth looking into for people who hope to treat certain skin and hair conditions. More research needs to be done in order to find more conclusive results about the benefits of using RLT, but if you are interested, it’s always recommended to consult a medical professional before trying any new treatments.