By Audrey Sellers
Red light therapy is the buzzy beauty trend that seems to have everyone glowing — literally. Regular people and A-listers alike are turning to red light therapy for its skin-rejuvenating powers.
Is red light therapy really a magic wand that can work wonders for your skin? It certainly has potential. The Cleveland Clinic notes that it’s an emerging therapy that can help with a host of issues from wrinkles to red spots and beyond.
Red Light Therapy Explained
In simple terms, red light therapy uses low-wavelength red light that penetrates deep into tissues, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. It works by stimulating cells in the skin — particularly mitochondria. (If you’re a little fuzzy with high school biology, mitochondria serve as the cells’ energy source.) The boost from the red light helps the cells repair and regenerate more effectively.
Red light therapy can help with wide-ranging health conditions, including dental pain, hair loss, and fibromyalgia. If you’ve been sidelined by an injury, red light therapy could be a way to help with your recovery. Studies show it also plays a role in mental health, helping alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Reap the Benefits at Home or in a Clinic
Interested in trying red light therapy? You have a few options, depending on your preferences and budget. At home, you can use a red light therapy device, like a handheld wand or a large panel. You simply sit in front of the device and target the light at the area you want to treat, whether it’s your face, joints, or muscles. Make sure the device is touching or nearly touching your skin to ensure the energy is being fully absorbed. Then, relax and let the light work its magic for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
You can also let a professional guide you through the process at places like med spas and dermatology offices. If you go this route, you’ll usually lie down or sit in front of a larger, more powerful light panel, which treats larger areas of your body at once.
Red light therapy requires a bit of a time commitment, though. You should do daily treatments for at least a month to see results. However, since sessions take less than 30 minutes, they’re relatively easy to work into your daily skincare routine.
What does red light therapy feel like? Many describe it as a relaxing experience, almost like you’re basking in the sun on a warm day. Only instead of UV rays, you’re soaking up healing red light that can reduce signs of aging and promote overall skin health.
Radiant Results Await
The full potential of red light therapy has yet to be uncovered, but one thing is for sure: This non-invasive treatment offers a multitude of health benefits for people of all ages. It’s easy to incorporate into your routine, and with consistent sessions, you’ll notice positive changes in both your body and your mind.
A Rainbow of Benefits
Want to complement red light therapy with other sessions? Explore these different types of color light therapies:
Blue light therapy: These sessions target acne-causing bacteria, helping reduce breakouts and clear the skin.
Purple light therapy: If you want to address acne while improving your skin tone, purple light therapy might be right for you. It blends red and blue light, giving you the benefits of both.
Green light therapy: Check out these treatments if you want to address dark circles, skin redness, or hyperpigmentation.
Yellow light therapy: This kind of light therapy promotes lymphatic drainage, which helps improve skin tone and soothe inflammation.
Orange light therapy: This treatment increases blood circulation, brightens the skin, and improves skin texture.
White light therapy: If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or sleep disorders, try this therapy to help regulate your body’s circadian rhythms and boost your mood.
