The potential of red light to treat various health and aesthetic problems is only just becoming known thanks to the interest of researchers, universities and hospitals, and to home devices that make it more accessible.
Red light therapy (RLT) is a form of photomedicine, which stands for ‘the use of light to treat skin and other health problems,’ says Jared Jagdeo, MD, founder of the Center for Photomedicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York.
History of red light therapy
There is another term for light therapy, which is photobiomodulation (PBM for short), says Praveen Arany, PhD, DDS, associate professor at the University at Buffalo and interim director of the Centre of Excellence for Photobiomodulation at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Other terms for the same are low-level laser treatment (LLLT), photostimulation and cold laser treatment, he says.
Light therapy has been around for more than 50 years. It was discovered by Hungarian physician Endre Mester in the 1960s when scientific experiments with red lasers on rats led to hair growth and wound healing, according to a research article published in December 2017 in the Journal of Biophotonics. Over the years, light therapy was largely considered bogus. But with new research (some contradictory), the scientific community is starting to take notice.
‘Currently, red light therapy is still considered non-mainstream science in the United States. But there are more and more academic and clinical centres applying the technology and making it available to patients,’ says Dr Arany.
There are now centres, such as the one at Shepherd University, that focus on educating healthcare professionals and scientists about the legitimacy of PBM as a clinical treatment, as well as professional organisations, such as the North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (NAALT) and the PBM Foundation. One of the more popular applications of red light therapy is skin care, and the availability of affordable home devices has increased its popularity.
How red light therapy works
Photobiomodulation uses light with a specific wavelength. This is between 400 nanometres (nm) (blue) and 1,200 nm (near-infrared), says Arany. Red light has a wavelength between 620 and 750 nm, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research[2]. This is visible light.
Blue, green and red light have all been used effectively to treat PPE, he says. Near-infrared light, a longer-wavelength light (up to 1,200 nm), is also used in PBM and is available in infrared saunas. Although this light appears red, it is red in the skin. Although this light appears red, infrared light is not actually visible and warms the body from the inside to induce physiological changes.
Red light therapy in particular has gained popularity in recent years and is perhaps the best known and most easily accessible. ‘Devices with red light are easier to manufacture and available everywhere,’ says Arany.
How does it work?
When photons (particles of light) are placed near the skin, they penetrate the tissue and activate chromophores (a part of a molecule[3] that gives it its colour), triggering changes in cells, according to the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery[4]. In addition, red light therapy also affects mitochondria (the powerhouse of cells), generating ATP (energy) to promote healing, according to the PBM Foundation.
For red light therapy to work, specific protocols and doses need to be used, depending on your health problem. If possible, seek this treatment in a hospital, university or clinical setting. He advises against red light therapy in salons or spas.
Devices with red light can be bought and used at home for skin care and these are usually safe to use as prescribed, says Dr Jagdeo.
Types of red light therapy
Red light therapy devices have red LED lights that are used as handheld devices, LED panels or whole-body beds, depending on the reason for treatment. Some devices use both red light and near-infrared light.
Potential benefits of red light therapy
Although research on red light therapy is promising, there are still conflicting studies - and some show no benefits for certain health conditions. In general, studies need to be more standardised (in dosage and timing) depending on the condition so that scientists and practitioners can fully understand the benefits of red light therapy. Below are possible promising applications of red light therapy according to experts.
Improves a youthful appearance of the skin
One of the most commonly cited benefits of red light therapy is its effects on the skin. It can be used to:
Firming the skin (collagen production)
- Acne
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Hair growth
Redness therapy
Red light therapy reduces inflammation to tackle redness, acne and hair growth, making topical or oral treatments for these conditions even more effective, says Jagdeo. In addition, when it comes to eradicating pimples, ‘red light therapy increases our immune defences against the bacteria associated with acne formation,’ he adds.
Science & red light therapy
