What Is Red Light Therapy and How Does It Work?

Health Line

2 days ago

Red light therapy (RLT) is a therapeutic technique that uses low-level wavelengths of red light to help treat skin conditions such as wrinkles and psoriasis. Though the treatment seems promising, more research is needed.
Red light therapy (RLT) is a type of phototherapy that may help treat skin conditions, inflammation, muscle pain, and other conditions.
Red light therapy uses light-emitting diode (LED) technology and various wavelengths of light. Some people report that using these lights improves various conditions, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
Read on to learn more about how red light therapy is used and performed.
What is red light therapy?
RLT is commonly referred to as photobiomodulation. It's a type of phototherapy that may help:
treat skin changes like scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles
treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne
reduce inflammation or edema
repair muscle tissues
promote healthy aging
Endre Mester discovered it in 1967. He noticed that laser light helped promote hair growth and wound healing in rats.
Scientific literature suggests there are many other names for RLT, such as:
low-level light therapy (LLLT)
soft laser therapy
cold laser therapy
biostimulation
photonic stimulation
low power laser therapy (LPLT)
In the 1990s, scientists used light-emitting diode (LED) technology to grow potatoes in space. The intense red LEDs helped promote photosynthesis, and the scientists reported that their hands healed faster.
Red light was then studied for its potential medicinal application during space travel. Researchers hoped it would help treat muscle atrophy, slow wound healing, and bone density issues caused by weightlessness in space.
Although RLT is gaining traction as a dermatological treatment for certain conditions, more clinical research is needed to fully support its claimed benefits.
How does RLT work?
RLT works by repetitively exposing your skin to low levels of red and near-infrared light for a certain period of time. At low wavelengths, red light doesn't generate heat and penetrates the skin between 1 and 2 millimeters, according to older research from 2013.
This red light exposure may produce a positive biochemical effect in your cells that strengthens the mitochondria, where the cell's energy is created. RLT may do this by increasing the transportation of electrons, oxygen consumption, and levels of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
By increasing the mitochondria's energy, cells may function more efficiently and rejuvenate and repair themselves.
LEDs are gaining popularity over lasers as the chosen RLT light source because they're nonablative, meaning they help smooth skin without harming the outer layer. LEDs are also nonthermal, meaning they don't produce heat or burn the skin. According to the 2013 research, they may also help:
increase blood flow
reduce inflammation
increase levels of collagen
increase the production of fibroblasts
However, more research is needed to support these claims.
What are the benefits of RLT?
According to a 2018 review of research, many studies suggest promising results of using RLT, but it's still controversial. Additional clinical research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
That said, studies from the past 20 years suggest that RLT may help:
promote wound healing and tissue repair
reduce some cancer treatment side effects, such as oral mucositis, radiation dermatitis, and lymphedema
improve hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia
treat carpal tunnel syndrome in the short term
reduce myopia progression
reduce psoriasis lesions and burn scars
reduce neuropathic pain
improve neural function and protection to improve cognition and memory for people with Alzheimer's disease
improve skin complexion and build collagen to diminish wrinkles
relieve pain and inflammation in people with pain in the Achilles tendons
RLT may also be used with photosensitizing medications to help treat certain cancers. This is referred to as photodynamic therapy, in which the light only serves as an activating agent for the medication.
Red light therapy and insurance
Many insurance companies don't cover RLT.
If you have health insurance, contact your provider to see whether RLT is covered to help treat your condition.
If you don't have health insurance or your plan does not cover RLT, speak with someone from the doctor's office to see whether they offer payment plans or reduced rates for self-payers.
What are the risks of RLT?
RLT is typically safe and painless. However, experts disagree on whether it is suitable for cancer treatment.
Most studies, such as one from 2022, suggest that RLT may help manage negative cancer treatment side effects.
There have been reports of burns, lesions, and blistering from using RLT units. Some people developed burns:
after using the device for 30 minutes
after falling asleep with the unit in place
due to broken wires or device corrosion
There's also a potential risk of eye damage. Although LEDs are safer on the eyes than traditional lasers, proper eye protection should be worn during RLT.
Where can you get RLT?
Some tanning salons, gyms, and local day spas now offer RLT, which may help reduce signs of aging. You can also find FDA-cleared devices online.
That said, before starting any treatment, it's important to speak with a doctor first. You may need several treatments before noticing any difference in your body. And a doctor may be able to develop a treatment plan that works better for you.
Frequently asked questions
What does red light therapy do?
Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red light to help treat some skin conditions, such as psoriasis. Studies suggest promising results from red light therapy. It may:
promote wound healing and tissue repair
reduce pain and inflammation
reduce psoriasis and burn scars
improve skin complexion
reduce the side effects of some cancer treatments
This said, additional clinical research is still needed to confirm its full effectiveness.
Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red light to help treat some skin conditions, such as psoriasis. Studies suggest promising results from red light therapy. It may:
promote wound healing and tissue repair
reduce pain and inflammation
reduce psoriasis and burn scars
improve skin complexion
reduce the side effects of some cancer treatments
This said, additional clinical research is still needed to confirm its full effectiveness.
Does red light therapy actually work?
Before starting RLT, it's important to speak with a doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
RLT is gaining popularity for its supposed benefits, such as reducing inflammation and signs of aging. For example, some studies, such as a 2018 review of studies and a 2019 research review suggest that RLT may help reduce cancer treatment side effects.
Much of the research has been conducted on animals, so more research with humans is needed.
Before starting RLT, it's important to speak with a doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
RLT is gaining popularity for its supposed benefits, such as reducing inflammation and signs of aging. For example, some studies, such as a 2018 review of studies and a 2019 research review suggest that RLT may help reduce cancer treatment side effects.
Much of the research has been conducted on animals, so more research with humans is needed.
Who should not use red light therapy?
Individuals who have darker skin tones. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people who have darker skin tones are more sensitive to visible light, such as red light, than people with lighter skin tones, and this sensitivity may lead to side effects like long-lasting hyperpigmentation.
People are taking medication that increases their sensitivity to light may need to avoid red light therapy, and people with medical conditions that make them photosensitive – more sensitive to sunlight.
People are taking medication that increases their sensitivity to light may need to avoid red light therapy, and people with medical conditions that make them photosensitive – more sensitive to sunlight.
Individuals who have darker skin tones. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people who have darker skin tones are more sensitive to visible light, such as red light, than people with lighter skin tones, and this sensitivity may lead to side effects like long-lasting hyperpigmentation.
People are taking medication that increases their sensitivity to light may need to avoid red light therapy, and people with medical conditions that make them photosensitive – more sensitive to sunlight.
People are taking medication that increases their sensitivity to light may need to avoid red light therapy, and people with medical conditions that make them photosensitive – more sensitive to sunlight.
What are the cons of red light therapy?
Red light therapy can result in burns or blisters from using the device for longer than 30 minutes or due to damage to the device or its parts. Red light therapy is also not typically covered by insurance, and so you may have to pay for it out of pocket.
Researchers have not yet come to a consensus on the safety and efficacy of red light therapy for cancer treatment.
Red light therapy can result in burns or blisters from using the device for longer than 30 minutes or due to damage to the device or its parts. Red light therapy is also not typically covered by insurance, and so you may have to pay for it out of pocket.
Researchers have not yet come to a consensus on the safety and efficacy of red light therapy for cancer treatment.