Red Light Therapy: What You Need to Know

Red light therapy is an innovative treatment that helps your muscle and skin tissue heal. The treatment subjects you to near-infrared or low levels of red light. You cannot see the infrared light, but your body can feel the heat during the treatment.

Red light therapy is also known as photobiomodulation (PBM); others also refer to it as low-power laser therapy (LPLT). All the terms refer to the same type of treatment.

How Does It Work?

During the treatment, your dermatologist exposes your skin to a laser device with a red light. Your cell’s mitochondria soak up the red light and make more energy. Experts think this helps your cells become healthier by repairing themselves. In turn, this stimulates the healing of your muscle and skin tissue. 

The procedure utilizes heat at very low levels, which cannot burn or hurt your skin. Unlike the light used in tanning booths, this light does not expose you to harmful UV rays.

What Red Light Treats

Experts have always known about this therapy for some time. Yet, there are only a few studies on the matter. This does not mean red light therapy does not work. The few studies done show that it helps with:

 

• Dental Pain - A small study showed that patients suffering from temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome had less jaw tenderness and pain after red light therapy.
   

• Osteoarthritis - Another study found that patients who underwent the treatment reduced the pain from osteoarthritis by more than 50 percent.
   

• Dementia - Studies show RLT can help people with dementia sleep better. They are also less irritable after red light therapy.
   

• Hair Loss - Androgenetic alopecia is a hereditary condition that causes hair loss. Studies have shown people who use RLT grow thicker hair.
   

• Skin Aging - In addition to smoothing your skin, research shows RLT helps with wrinkles. It also helps with UV sun damage and acne scars.
   

• Tendinitis - A small study found that red light treatment alleviates inflammation in people suffering from Achilles tendinitis.

Side Effects

Red light therapy is a painless and safe treatment. However, there have been reports of blistering and burns. But these injuries happened to a few people who fell asleep while using home RLT units. Additionally, all laser treatments pose a potential risk of eye damage. For this reason, always wear proper protective eyewear while undergoing RLT.

Where to Get Red Light Therapy

Your dermatologist’s office is the best place to get red light therapy. However, some salons and spas offer this treatment too. But your risk of experiencing injury or side effects is high in these facilities. If you wish, you can also purchase a red light therapy unit which you can use at home.

Conclusion

Talk to your dermatologist before making any decision. Red light therapy is a promising treatment, but there are still a few unknowns in the studies. Consulting your highly qualified doctor before starting your RLT sessions is vital.

For more information on red light treatment, visit Pinellas Laser Lipo at our office in Seminole, Florida. You can call (727) 397-3000 today to schedule an appointment.