All You Need to Know About Red Light Therapy
Red light treatment is a therapeutic procedure that uses red, low-level wavelengths of light to correct skin issues such as a scar, wrinkles, and persistent wounds.
Initially, biologists used red light technique to grow plants but later applied it in modern medicine. The scientists found out that it could help in the growth of cells and photosynthesis. After a hypothesis and some tests, they found out it also promotes the growth of human cells.
The other names for red light treatment include:
- Photobiomodulation
- Soft laser therapy
- Low-level light therapy
- Photonic stimulation
- Biostimulation
- Low power laser therapy
Sometimes laser therapy is used with photosensitizing medications and referred to as photodynamic therapy.
What Does Low-Level Light Therapy Treat?
Red light treatment may help with the following:
- Wrinkles and scars. Your doctor can use the RLT technique to smoothen your skin and control other signs of skin aging. Also, doctors use the method to treat burns, acne scars, and signs of UV damage.
- Hair loss. People with androgenetic alopecia (a condition classified as genetic hair loss) can use the RLT technique to help in the growth of hair.
- Osteoarthritis and tendinitis. Infrared therapy helps in reducing pain among people suffering from osteoarthritis and Achilles tendinitis.
- Dementia. Dementia is a condition characterized by memory loss. According to recent studies, doctors have used red light treatments to treat dementia. They pass the red light over the patients’ heads and noses for 12 weeks. The patients, after the treatments seemed to remember, sleep well, and control their temper easily.
- Dental pain. Sometimes dentists use the RLT technique to treat temporomandibular syndrome, thus reducing pain and jaw tenderness.
How Does Red Light Treatments Work?
Red light treatments work by producing a biochemical effect on your cells, thus strengthening the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the sites of energy synthesis (in the form of ATP) in your body. Therefore, red light increases the functions of mitochondria, increasing the production of ATP. ATP provides energy for the cell to rejuvenate and repair damages on them.
Unlike laser or intense light therapies, low-level light treatments do not cause damage to your skin. However, laser and pulsed light therapies cause controlled damage on the skin, thus inducing healing and rejuvenation. The low-level light rays penetrate roughly 5 millimeters through your skin.
Benefits of Red Light Treatment
The several benefits of opting for red light treatment include:
- Promotes tissue repair and wound healing
- Improves hair growth among people with androgenic alopecia
- Stimulates healing of diabetic foot ulcers
- Reduces psoriasis lesions
- Short-term pain relief
- Mends UV light damages on your skin
- Helps in improving the health of your joints
Do the Treatments Work?
Controversies have surrounded the red light treatment technique in the recent past. Initially, doctors used it as an experiment, thus making patients doubt its effectiveness. Dermatologists chiropractors have used the technique successfully in promoting cell growth hence aiding treatments.
Although there is no evidence if the treatments are effective, some doctors have used it to do the following:
- Treat depression and seasonal affective disorder
- Promote detoxification by activating the lymphatic system
- Reduce cellulite
- Boost your body immunity
- Help in weight loss
- Treat neck and back pains
- Eliminate acne
- Fight gum diseases
The red light can also be used by oncologists to activates other medications during cancer treatments.
Side Effects of Red Light Treatments
Professionals consider RLT to be painless and safe. However, you can be at risk of burns and blisters caused by the light. Some patients develop burns when they sleep with the units, while others develop blisters due to corrosive units.
Also, the red light rays can cause damage to your eyes. Therefore, your doctor advises you to wear protective gear on your eyes when undergoing such a treatment procedure on your face.
Red Light Therapy Provider Near Me
Do you know of a doctor who provides red light treatments for skin rehabilitation? Dr. Terry Smedstad at Woodway Rehab and Wellness in Houston is an experienced service provider in the same field. When in need of skin rehab in Houston, you can contact our doctor for treatments.
The red light treatments have shown promising results in treating skin issues; therefore, you can consider the technique.