I first learned about red light therapy through the skin care community, but after seeing how it helped play a part in saving my friend’s dad’s life from his neurological problems, I decided to do a deep dive and eventually buy a machine. 

What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy is a form of low-level laser therapy that uses red light to treat various medical and cosmetic conditions by stimulating cellular activity in the body. Also known as photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy, red light therapy is gaining popularity due to its numerous healing and anti-aging benefits.

We won’t get into all of the other types of laser light in this piece, but you can see in the graphic below that red and near infrared light have the ability to penetrate subcutaneously the most, calling for the most effective of light therapy.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy include the following:

Improved skin health: Red light therapy has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, and to improve skin texture and tone. It can also help to reduce inflammation, which can help with conditions such as acne and rosacea and even eczema, which we’ll see my own personal experience towards the end of this piece. 

Reduced pain and inflammation: Red light therapy can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the body, particularly in conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and fibromyalgia. It works by increasing blood flow and promoting the production of collagen, which can help to repair damaged tissues.

Enhanced athletic performance: Red light therapy has been shown to help improve muscle recovery and reduce muscle soreness after exercise, as well as increase muscle strength and endurance, which can improve athletic performance.  

Improved sleep quality: Red light therapy can help to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, which can improve sleep quality and reduce the symptoms of sleep disorders such as insomnia. Circadian biology is absolutely crucial as diurnal beings – every cell in our body operates on a biological clock which is dictated by night and daytime.   

Increased energy levels: Red light therapy can help to increase energy levels and reduce fatigue by stimulating the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) within the mitochondria, which is the body’s main source of energy.  

Enhanced cognitive function: Red light therapy has been shown to improve cognitive function and memory in older adults, and to reduce the symptoms of conditions such as depression and anxiety.  

Overall, red light therapy is a safe and effective therapy that can provide a wide range of health benefits for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. It is non-invasive, painless, and can be used in conjunction with other therapies to enhance their effectiveness. The duration and frequency of treatment both depend on the individual’s needs and the specific condition being treated.

I have personally used red light therapy for a myriad of different reasons. In December 2022, I was dealing with some significant stress and experienced my first stressed induced eczema flare up on my wrist in 10 years. In just one week of consistent red light therapy, the improvement is unbelievable. Check it out:

BEFORE

ECZEMA BEFORE RED LIGHT THERAPY TREATMENTS

AFTER

ECZEMA AFTER ONE WEEK OF RED LIGHT THERAPY

I also use my machine in the evenings after spending a significant amount of time with blue light from screen time on my phone/computer. Red light therapy is commonly administered in a clinical setting, but there are also at-home devices available for personal use. These devices can be handheld, panel-style, or even full-body systems. I am a firm believer in the benefits across the board. In addition to red light therapy for skin health, I also take the best collagen on the market. I wrote about collagen supplements here. 

I personally use the MITO red light: CLICK HERE to purchase.  Have you tried red light therapy? Let me know in the comments!

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*Not medical advice, consult a medical professional