Is Red Light Therapy The Secret To Youthful, Glowing Skin?
As we age, most of us want to keep our skin healthy, glowing, and blemish free — preferably in the most natural way possible.This could mean trying out the latest trends the beauty world offers like using snail essence and bentonite clay masks, drinking collagen supplements, whipping up DIY face scrubs or using serums to create that fresh, dewy look.
These methods may work but have you heard about Red Light Therapy? Some experts are saying that the answer to our skin dilemmas are just a light bulb away.
What is Red Light Therapy anyway? Red light therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses red, low-level wavelengths of light. When exposed to red light therapy, the body produces a biochemical effect that boosts the amount of energy stored in cells, explains Z. Paul Lorenc, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon from New York City. This helps cells to function more efficiently and repair damage, which is why it's been used to treat scars and wounds. But red light therapy really took off in popularity for its efficacy in combating wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, discoloration, and other signs of less-than-stellar skin health.
It's not just any red light that delivers this performance-optimizing boost, however; two wavelengths of red light in particular—660 nanometers and 850 nanometers—deliver the best biological response, explains Michael Hamblin, M.D., an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. The former, 660 nanometers, is more quickly absorbed by the skin, making it the go-to for cosmetic treatments, while 850 nanometer wavelengths penetrate deeper into your body to help with muscle recovery, joint pain, and full body health.
Benefits Of Red Light Therapy:
• Improved skin tone and complexion
• Stimulates hair growth
• Stimulated production of collagen and elastin
• Enhanced muscle recovery and athletic performance
• Reduced joint pain, inflammation, and arthritis
• Improved appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and stretch marks
• Reduced acne, rosacea, and eczema
• Increased circulation
• Faster healing of wounds and injuries
Where To Find Red Light Therapy
Some spas and salons offer red light therapy, but the cost can range from $150-300 per session. You may also find this at dermatology, rheumatology, and physical therapy clinics. While there’s no reason to think it wouldn’t be safe for you, check with your health care provider before you try it or purchase a red light device. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a qualified practitioner, but because this therapy isn't exactly mainstream yet, you may have to do your own research—and keep in mind, your health insurance may not cover it.
Also keep in mind, in order to see noticeable results, you need to be consistent with the red light therapy. If you’d like a full body treatment, the VitaliZEN Full Body Red Light Therapy Device is highly recommended. It offers the best of both worlds - a combination of wavelengths, so you can get the benefit of the deeper penetration of the higher wavelength and the cellular “charging” of the lower visible spectrum.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926176/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24078483
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137223/#B30